The number one thing I learned is that I am not perfect, so I don't expect my quilt to be. Most of the time, "mistakes" are seen by me, but not others. I recently made a diamond quilt, and (unbelievably) almost all of my pieces lined up. I did notice 3 pieces of sashing that weren't exact. However, when my granddaughter saw it, she fell in love with it, and claimed it for her own. I pointed out my mistakes, and she said "But, Nana, diamonds are supposed to have some tiny flaws" once she stepped a few feet away, she didn't notice anything different.