If you’ve always been fascinated with quilts and thinking about giving it a try, here are must-know tips you should know about quilting for beginners.

Prepare the fabric

A lot of quilters, even seasoned ones, forget to do this. But if you want the best possible results, the preparing the fabric before you use it is an essential step in the process and one you shouldn’t skip.

Wash the fabrics

Washing some types of quilting fabrics helps get some of the chemicals out, which can conveniently prevent bleeding later on. Also, doing this will prevent the material from shrinking when you start working on the fabric. Just make sure you’re clear on what fabrics can be washed and not. Check the instructions for each of these materials so you won’t make the mistake of washing a cloth that’s better off unwashed, the Felt Magnet says.

Start with easy patterns

Picking out a complex pattern right from the get-go will lead to a lot of frustration. Too much and you may end up feeling discouraged. Start with easy patterns and move on to more complex ones when you show signs of improvement. That’s how quilting for beginners often move forward. By starting with patterns you can handle, you’ll have a much more enjoyable time as a beginner.

Order a bit of extra

There’s nothing worse for a quilter than to run out of fabric. An easy way to avoid this is to put an extra order for the material you’ll need. For instance, determine how much you’ll use for your project and then add an extra half yard from reputable sellers like . That may mean shelling out more money, but it’s well worth it if you have all the fabric you’ll need to finish your pattern and design.