I think a log cabin is totally doable. My first quilt was a king sized bargello quilt. I was told it was too difficult to do. I created my own pattern for it and it was a success. Don't let these people get you down. Do what you feel comfortable with. I would write a letter to the owner or give them a review online. Many local quilt shops go out of business each year. Lots of times the reason is that they have alienated themselves by treating people the way you were treated. The main thing that you need to conquer to do your first quilt is that consistent 1/4 inch seam. Get that under control and you have it made.

Jackie

BK, to me it sounds like they are suffering financial difficulties and don't mind hooking a newbie and talking her into a lot of stuff she doesn't actually need and they think since you are a newbie that you don't know any better. I wouldn't trust them since they were immediately negative on your ability to pick it up yourself. Taking lessons is a good thing but it's not mandatory. Yes a good teacher can save you a lot of time and mistakes by showing you the new tricks but what's wrong with just trying it out yourself like most everyone else did at first? I personally don't think that log cabin quilts are difficult, in fact I think they are very easy and I love doing them. I have a trick to how I do them so that I don't have to pre-plan and pre-cut how long each strip should be except for the width. But it would be hard to explain here. Since it's obvious that you have access to the internet, I would search out a bunch of videos if I were you and when you find some basic ones do a small project and work up if you think you'll be interested. As for the machine, if you want to quilt the projects yourself, you will at least need a walking foot for straight-line quilting, then later a free-motion foot. But if your machine doesn't have them you can sometimes find them online to fit your machine. Also, if the machine doesn't fit inside a cabinet, you would have a hard time quilting large projects without a quilting extension table, but they are available also. I say hand in there and go to a different source for your information.

I am so sorry you had such an experience. The log cabin is not difficult if you can keep your seam allowance even. If you can sew a straight line, you can make one. It can be a detailed or simple as you want.

I sort of agree about the jelly rolls. I have had some that were not cut straight, but most are. Personally, I like to pre-wash my fabric and prefer the "logs" to be narrower than 2 inches finished. I buy fabrics I like and make my own strips by cutting strips 1.5 or 2 inches.

Remember, quilting is supposed to be fun, so don't stress. Any "mistake" can be fixed. Your quilt, your rules.

Oh bother! I had similar experiences with my first visits to some quilt shops. I hate that!
You sound like you have some experience with sewing, so quilting is not a far stretch. My 2nd ever quilt was a king-sized log cabin...and I'm a self-taught quilter and at the time, had no other support from other quilters. You'll be fine! You can do this.

Personally, I wouldn't use jelly rolls. I also prefer narrower 'logs', and cost is more efficient if you buy yardage and cut your own. If you have a quilter friend, maybe you can just borrow her tools, or have her show you how to use them, before you buy all those 'necessary' tools.

As for the shop, I'd let the owner know. Nothing gets fixed if people don't tell them (politely) that there is a problem. You can give the positives (their shop is lovely) and the negatives (the attitudes) that you experienced.

Can't wait to see your project!! We LOVE pictures, and we're very good at helping with problems along the way.

This is not the first time I have heard of someone other than the owner of the store browbeat a person new to quilting. It happens.....why? Reasons could be as different as the people involved. Maybe the person "beating" you in that manner wanted to appear superior to you, as in "I know more than you, so listen to me." Maybe that person was just trying to drum up more business for the shop owner. Maybe you weren't yet one of their store's groupies and she didn't have the time to deal with a newbie. Who knows......

Questions for a new quilter: are you planning to make a large bed quilt your first time out? Perhaps you could make a few blocks to see if the Log Cabin block is really for you? I agree that watching videos on beginning quilting and the Log Cabin block would be helpful. I made a baby quilt using the Log Cabin block and do not think it would be difficult for a beginner.

I agree with Beverly that buying jelly rolls for your project might not be the best. They could be cut incorrectly and not on the grain of the fabric, and, learning to correctly cut your own fabric pieces for the quilt block is a very important part of the learning process, in my opinion.

We're here to help you in any way we can.

Teresa

I have nothing good to say about that person and her opinions.

I love log cabin quilts. It's my favorite block. It is not difficult. I sew with a scant ¼" seam and I square the block every two logs. I have made adjustments in cutting size of the last/outside log. It is not necessary but that's just me. ☺

If you want to make a log cabin, GO FOR IT. Just take your time.

I agree with all that has been said here. I would also suggest finding some other shop to check out your machine! Most towns have a "vac & sew" shop that repairs vacuums and sewing machines, and if you are in a good-size town there is probably more than one fabric store with a repair guy.

You never know what kind of day the shop lady was having. Maybe she has a sick family member, maybe she doesn't usually work in the shop and was "helping out" during a busy time, etc. I do think you should contact the owner and let her know that the hard-sell, "you don't have a clue" approach is turning new customers away.

I've been in many quilt shops that give a cold shoulder to people who aren't insiders. So how do you get to be an "insider" if they give you the brush-off when you come in the store?

Donna

Thanks, guys. I appreciate your help. I'll try another shop. Come to think of it, there's another one just as close, just in the other direction.

I pulled out my sewing machine book and it's a Singer Touch and Sew. I know. They told me it was lousy and had plastic gears. I read the part on adjusting the tension and will see what kind of results I can get on cotton fabric.

Thanks again.

bk

We need to just round up the Quilting Police, lock 'em all up, and throw away the key! The point is to ENJOY and learn. If I can do a log cabin, which I can...ANYone can... Just enjoy what you are doing! Remember, the Amish girls add mistakes to their quilts to make them look authentic!! ;P (and please, if any of you are Amish, take no offense, as I happen to LOVE my Amish friends and always appreciate their work!).

If you need to have your machine serviced, ask if they service vintage machines. Many of us have vintage machines and we love them and learn their quirky habits just like you are doing with the tension. This is a great place to hang out and learn new things.

As they say, "Don't let the b------s get you down." Just go for it. I am a self-taught quilter who started with a project that was much too hard for a beginner. But that is how I learn. I look back at my first quilt, and I know I'd could do a better job on it now, but who cares. I still love it. You are enthusiastic about quilting and have a supportive friend. That sounds like a great beginning to me. Enjoy your quilting journey. And welcome to the forum.

Ditto ditto to what everyone wrote. I started quilting in the last ten years and this group was helpful and supportive, so please join the forum - everyone is helpful and we love pictures!

I would give the store owner feedback, otherwise, what they don't know will hurt them in business and they will not be around for long.

Quiliting should be fun and relaxing for you....do enjoy the process. My journey stared with inexpensive tools and machine, and after my first quilt or two I took a class. I found it helpful and it was fun to hang out with newbies and very experience quilters who provided coaching along the way.

I look forward to reading your future posts!

V.