Thread: Tips of the Trade for a Beginner?

Originally Posted by mickey13

Does anyone have any helpful tips of the trade that I should know about when starting a quilt? And any recommended backing that is the best for one who hand quilts? I plan on hand quilting all of my quilts and I would love any advice that people have. Also any other tips that people know about that they learned through their quilting life that I would only learn from mistakes and experience? I'm so eager to begin but I'm also hesitant and I would love to do this first one right the first time.

The best things that I learned as a new quilter?

1. That just because it says " quick quit" on the pattern, does not mean it is quick for everybody, so if it takes you longer, great!
2. There is no reason to cut fabric fast, careful is better. If we can ride past, on a fast horse, and see no errors, it is perfect.
3. Done can be better than perfect
4. "Quilt police" are just folks, with their own imagination, telling them everything must be his/her way.
5. The only right way to make any quilt is your way.
6. My most important quilt rule, is to always measure twice, cut once. (Thank you carpenter's union for teacing me this. Saves me from wasting too much fabric!)
7. If you start a quilt, and need to measure something a second time, be sure you are using the same ruler, because there are minor differences that can make assembly difficult. (Do not want to remake any cut pieces)
8. If you get stuck, come here to the quiltingboard.com, try to post a picture, and this huge army of quilters will help you find a solution. Works every-time.
9. Quilting is my hobby, and no, I do not take orders, work for free, make them for you so you don't have to, nor do I do mending or alterations. There are real people who do those jobs, and I am glad to give you a couple names....or teach you to do your own!

Welcome to your new, our old, addiction. Lol!