I have been dabbling in quilting since 2000ish. My tolerance fro somethings have has increased while for a few other things and become non existent!
I agree with your thread comments!! When I was sewing clothing - the thread was always matched - quilting? - Cream Aurifil on 99%. Black, Navy and other dark fabrics get dark gray/black/navy thread but only when paired with another dark fabric.
Instructions?? Is that something that one uses? lol. I often will glance over a pattern and decide I do not like how it is done and will go my own way. Often I am successful but occasionally I regret my decision. Oh - and if there are too many HSTs I have been known to re-design the pattern or draw the block in EQ and paper piece it!
I do have a confession - I am a stickler on seam intersections, directional fabric and points on anything I make. Matter of fact I wish I could get over this - I sometimes feel that I am a bit obsessive about these but I can not seem to let them go lol. I got tagged to put together the Guild quilt this year for this reason. Members made the blocks and they were brought to me. Several had to be creatively modified on the fly because I was loosing too many points but.the result was a stunning quilt. Directional fabric for me has to be either 100% in one direction or 50/50.