Fifer’s Web site — on the Web since 1995!

I recommend Eleanor Burns’ “Quilt in a Day” series. They’re very helpful and thorough in getting you started. I started with a Double Irish Chain quilt from her corresponding book. It gets you going quickly, and you learn techniques and terminology as you go. Although those applique quilts are beautiful, if you’re like me, jumping into a 5 year project will be put down in 2 days and never picked up again. So, start small! Do a “quilt in a day” project, get something together in a week, and it will give you motivation to try something harder!

I’m working on something like my 17th quilt now, and I wouldn’t have gotten past the first one if I didn’t work my way up to the stuff I do now. I know you want that gorgeous heirloom quilt for your own bed, but in the meantime, start small, start easy. If nothing else, those tutorial wall-hangings, crib-quilts, lap-robes and other stuff make great housewarming and shower gifts for friends.

Always pre-wash your fabrics before you cut them out or sew them. They’re nice & easy to cut when there’s that stiffener/polish on the fabric when it’s straight from the factory, but after you wash it (and more importantly dry it) it WILL change shape. Even if the content is the same, it’s a different cut of fabric. You don’t want all your pieces shrinking at different rates, or the whole thing will be a skewed mess after the first time you wash it when it’s done.

Those basting-guns/tag-guns they use for affixing tags to clothing in stores are great for quick basting a quilt together. You can usually buy them at a quilt or fabric store. I usually lay my quilt backing down first (raw side up, good down) out on my living room floor, then batting, then quilt top (good side up - remember, this isn’t clothing to be sewn inside out!). Take off your shoes, and feel free to walk around on it in your bare/sock feet. (This is usually the point at which I’m chasing the dog off from making himself at home in a corner). Poke the gun through all the layers and then lift up slightly (don’t want to baste it to the carpet!) and shoot it through. Start in the center and work your way out radially.

• CADStd lite for the PC seems to work, and best of all, it’s free! — Go to their web site
• CADintosh is a great CAD program for Macintosh. It’s shareware, but it seems pretty fully-functional for what quilters would want it for (and it’s available in English, German, French, Danish and Japanese). — Go to their web site

• Twin — 39” x 74” (99cm x 188cm)
• Extra Long Twin — 39” x 80” (99cm x 203cm)
• Full (also know as a double) — 54” x 74” (137cm x 188cm)
• Queen — 60” x 80” (152cm x 203cm)
• Olympic Queen — 66” x 80” (168cm x 203cm)
• California King — 72” x 84” (183cm x 213cm)
• Eastern or Duel King — 76” x 80” (193cm x 203cm)

• Standard Pillow — 20” x 26” (51cm x 66cm)
• Queen Pillow — 20” x 30” (51cm x 76cm)
• King Pillow — 20” x 36” (51cm x 91cm)
• European or Continental Pillow —26” x 26” (66cm x 66cm)
• Boudoir Pillow — 12” x 16” (30.5cm x 41cm)