I stitch in the ditch for most of my quilts. It's easy and the quilt looks quilted. The few I have sent out to nearby machine quilters was were not at all to my liking. I sent one back to have the skipped stitches taken out and redone and was informed that skipped stitches were acceptable! Quilters that won't learn how to use their expensive quilting machines, and I do not get along.

I am also not very good at finishing the quilts. I will iff there is a deadline (well, on my timeline = deadline + 2 years. lol) So I decided to improve on my lacking machine quilting skills and just started an 8-week class at the local dealer. This week was the first session and I was absolutely flabbergasted of the things I learned JUST on straight quilting. There is hope. Until then, I will continue to add to the pile of tops and revel in the joy of making them.

As a relatively new quilter, I've pieced only two lap size quilts, the rest have been small wall hangings. I like the wall hanging size because I can find the concentration to sandwhich, quilt and bind.

I try not to start too many new projects when I have lots of unfinished ones because it makes me feel tense like I have too much piling up.

I'd really like to try my first full sized quilt, but I find it a little daunting! I'm thinking after Christmas I'll give it a try.

What's wrong with just quilt tops! I have a beautiful barrister bookcase where I display mine - folded up nicely. Tops take up less space. I know I'll finish t hem someday. If not, I have someone designated to oversee my quilts when I die.

ali

Maybe we're triplets???

My problem is quilt kits. I just can't resist them and I never get around to doing them. I guess I'm keeping them to do when I retire. :lol: :lol: :lol:

If I have a bad habit, it's finishing the top, then storing it away for "someday". But a finished top is better than a bag of scraps. Just do whatever you are in the mood for at the time. Happiness and creativity is the key, and there is no police putting restrictions and limitations.

There are no "BAD" habits in quilting, just different creative outlets!
I try, keyword is try, to finish each project as it comes along, but must admit there are some UFO's and orphans in my closet. They'll make it into something someday.
Right now my creative outlet is waiting to go on the frame for quilting.
But I've put a different machine on there, so I'll have to do some practice with that first. Quilt on !!

Why not go in there and use the LA yourself and help her finish those 40 UFO's?

I'm a new quilter and am enjoying reading this thread. My dear friend and I took a quilting course together and got together every Sunday evening to do our "homework". The class is finished, but we continue to get together most Sunday nights to work on our projects. She completely finishes something before moving on. Not me. Right now a spare bed is draped with a top and a pieced backing waiting for the mood to make the sandwich. Another project is quilted and waiting for binding - I'm saving that for our next Sunday together. Another has rail blocks done and the material for some solid blocks, borders, etc are with it waiting for the right moment to decide exactly how they're going to go together. Then there's the quilt for a grandboy that's completely cut out and waiting for sewing time. Oh - and a quilt as you go that's about 2/3 finished. I LIKE switching among these things as I tire of one. Or choosing something based on the time I have right then to work on it. Glad to know my friend is not "Right" and I'm ... gulp ... wrong! We're just different styles of quilters!