Kudos to you for finding a way to learn new techniques for quilt making. OH, they're not mistakes, they're "artistic license!" No one will know if you don't tell them!!

Someone once told me "There's more than one way to skin an onion". The end result is that it's peeled. I've learned through the years that there's more than one way to do a lot of things with the end result being what it's supposed to be. So we each have to do what is right for us. If you have a method that works for you than use it is my policy.

Same here. Good to try new things, but they may not always be the 'best' way for me!

There are no quilt police
 

One of the first artistic truths I ever learned was when I was 4 years old and drawing on my grandma's kitchen table.
"There will always be great freedom to create something unique when you take the crayon outside the lines."
Mariah's Grandmother
circa 1952

I haven't had any of the experiences you have. However I found all to be informative and intresting. Also, I have"nt heard a thing about pressing seams open and again was so glad to read your comment. A great discussion. Carlene

Your instructor was giving good advice and it is "YOUR" you tore off too much, not his.

I still like the old adage "those who can't, teach." So often I've been disappointed by teachers who try to teach something that they don't know by doing. Just know by reading up on it.
I find that often the "smartest" people don't make the best teachers because they haven't developed the patience that it needs for most of us to grasp a concept. Often the people who have had to learn things the hard way, or try really hard to learn something, make the better teachers.
Case in point -- I watched a Martha S. show where she tryed to saw some wood by holding it with her left hand and crossing her right hand over to saw it!!! It really put her "expertise" in perspective.

I agree that it may be a good thing to reserve fabric for the border before cutting the smaller pieces.

At the time, I was not 'aware' enough to be aware of the whole design - and I would have been better off waiting until later - Learn and live -

I have since learned that I can only 'absorb' so much information at a time - and I have frequently 'learned' by doing things bass-ackwards.

There are advantages to having some experience - one has a better idea of what will work 'the way it is written' - and what should be tested before committing to the whole pattern.

The cross-grain, such as from width of fabric, contains threads that aren't as strong as the length-wise grain. If you cut parallel to the length-wise edge of the fabric, you will experience less stretch. Judy Martin suggests cutting the long cabin strips length-wise for this very reason.

I hope you have many pleasant hours sewing and creating quilts.
Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan

This has been a great topic. Generally, I enjoy math, geometry, and finding easier ways with which to do something. However, my enthusiasm is not necessarily your enthusiasm. With lots of books on my shelves and the Internet resources, I am able to really have fun perfecting my assembly methods. One important factor for me is that the method be fun and relaxing to me! Secondly, I want to use the material without much waste. Those two things make exploring different methods a challenge which is rewarding on many levels.