purplefiend

I've learned the hard way if my machine quilting looks like crap, don't keep going since it has to be frog stitched any how. I'm not a happy quilter, ready to have a sewing machine bonfire.
Sharon in Texas

Jeanette Frantz

I've learned, the hard way, to always use protective "gear" such as gloves. I've had some pretty bad cuts about 3 times, and I surely did not believe I'd ever do it the second time. After the third time, I ordered protective gloves, and I use them! I have more than enough scars!

soccertxi

what takes 5 minutes to machine quilt, takes DAYS to pick out. Also, if your quilting tension is bad, rethread the WHOLE machine. Even after you refill the bobbin, it might be the thread wrapped around something RIGHT next to the cone of thread.

make a copy of my pattern to leave with the pieces if I have to stop mid project. When the project is finished, shred the copy. *this saves searching for the 'pink' quilting book for DAYS, when actually its BLUE*

Finally, don't pat yourself on the back until the project is TOTALLY complete. If you crow over how good it looks, you are doomed to having awful tension you have to pick out when you have above mentioned bad tension.

cathyvv

Surfaces that look straight/flat enough to cut fabric aren't necessarily so.

Done is much better than perfect. "Perfect" creates UFO's. UFO's linger in quilt limbo for YEARS.

To do something ELSE when I am frustrated with a quilt in progress. Sometimes the brain needs a mental vacation from the quilt.

cherrybsixty

Bearisgray, thank you for such a helpful thought of a thread, everyone's post have been most helpful, Just love it.

Happy sewing everyone

Sheri.a

Use pins with a big flower head so you can see dropped pins rather than step on them.

I agree - great thread.

grammasharon

Yes, I agree also. Read it every morning to find out what great wisdom I can glean from it.

bearisgray

So many of these "lessons" - are not mentioned in "the lesson books"!

I thank everyone that was willing to add to the list.

ILoveToQuilt

daisydawg: I find that sewing with a dull machine needle is "harder" on the fabric because it takes more "effort" for the needle to punch through the fabric. (The words in "" are not the correct words perhaps, but they convey what I am trying to say). Sharper the needle, the easier it sews. Same thing happens with pins when they dull down - it is harder to push them through the fabric.

Hope this is clear????

bearisgray

When a thread won't go through the needle - put some Fray Check on it and let it dry - it keeps the thread stiff so it will poke through the needle eye.