What is the most important thing (tip or lesson) you've learned from this "Bunch of Sew & Sews"? I'm talking about quilting here, not the friendship, generosity and admiration we all give and get from each other.

Mine is to Starch, starch, starch!

Enjoy your day!

Take into consideration what others suggest. Try it. One might like it.

Then do what works for you.

Took a long time, but......
HAVE A GOOD TIME and don't take yourself so seriously.
Pam

I didn't learn it here but I learned a long, long time ago that it's only fabric, nobody dies.

Lighten my foot on the presser foot, sew slower and enjoy it more.
Seam, starch, press, square, seam, press, square.
Move my finger out of the path of the rotary cutter.
Ask and there shall be an answer.

We all do things that are in the "I can't believe I actually did that" category.

or "I can't believe I've never though of that!"

There are no mistakes only things that make each quilt unique. Each quilt has it's own personality, and no quilt is perfect.

mine would have to be, walk away from a project,,,and then come back,, it will appear different to me,,,

remember to measure twice and cut once!

just be creative and not hard on yourself, we all learn by our mistakes and sometimes they are happy mistakes

Starch Heavily
Spray Basting
Trying to be perfect spoils the fun

505, I don't have to baste, or pin.

Try water soluble thread to baste a quilt. Haven't tried it yet but it sounds like a great idea. I need to buy some of that thread :thumbup:

Finished is better than perfect.

It's always better to laugh at your mistakes than get stressed about them. This is supposed to be FUN

I think mine would be to not rush in... have patience and plan well, taking your time means hopefully that you do not have to repeat the same steps over.

Gal

Read the instructions

Everyone uses thier ripper :)

I learned to use the 1/4in seam and mark my machine with masking tape so I get the same 1/4in seam everytime. Also to be patient if I'm getting aggravated to get up and walk away. Oh and that my seam ripper is my best friend.

I wanted to know about actual quilting techniques like using 505 or for me learning to paper piece with freezer paper. There are probably a lot that I don't know about!

I learned that if I start making too many mistakes it's time to STOP. The more I try to sew the more mistakes I will continue to make. So I stop and then come back later and start again.

Or maybe switch to a different project for awhile.

So many times I see a beautiful quilt and I think, I want one just like that! What I come to realize is that I can have one just like that but I put my own unique spin on it!

All you have to do is ask. There's absolutely no dumb question.

Scant 1/4" seam vs. regular 1/4" seam. When it is important to use the scant and why it matters.

That there is a difference between ironing and pressing! And
How to do a scant 1/4"

My list is long. I learned about starch, starch, starch; about color catchers; a lot about threads, fabrics, measurements; added a ton of links to my "favorites" and learned a lot from videos, etc., at those links. I kinda already knew the ins & outs of the scant 1/4" seam, but the details were still educational. It's hard to pick the most important thing. Two days ago, I made a small firm ironing board ... better for applique, bias, etc. than my big thickly padded ironing board ... that was useful info. I learned here. And when I can get to a DIY store and get a thick sheet of styrofoam, I'll surround my Janome 1600 with it, as I learned to do through this QB.

To be easier on myself and learn to explore more about colour and design. Plus all the important basic stuff, like measuring, cutting tips and the order in which to do things.

I must have the great stack of personsality quilts one could hsve. Just do not a single perfect quilt. And knowing that no longer brothers me as it used when I felt if I messed up a quilt I was dumb as a brick.

I learned that a lot of us use our seam rippers and sew barefoot. Don't know if this was the most important but heartwarming.

Keep your fingers away from moving needles.
The edge of one's rotary cutter is really sharp.


And most important........

When faced with someone bigger than you, always aim for the knees. (Dad told me this, He was a Navy Man and taught all of us hand to hand combat.))

I love the third one! Being a shorty, it always worked for me!

I don't know how you can sew barefoot! My tootsies would get cold and I seem to need a hard sole! Here are my favorite shoes...no kidding!

Amen!

it may work for you, but isn't necessarily true for me....and definitely vice versa..most quilters have cats or dogs.....& if it's ugly, just keep cutting it smaller!!!!!!

Yeah, me too!!! :thumbup:

Set seams before you press.
Starch, Starch, Starch. Did I say starch.

To turn the machine on before I sew ;)

How to make a huge ironing board, I love, love, love mine & am thinking how to fit a second one in my sewing room!!!