What is the best advice you have received to help make your quilting experience more joyous?


Early on someone told me I didn't have to finish my current project before I could start another project. Whoopee! What freedom. I'm now have about 6 projects in various stages and at least 3 quilt tops waiting to be quilted. I am having lots and lots of fun!

The best advice is that no one will notice the little mistakes unless you point them out. I don't really believe it but it makes me feel better and "feeling" better makes the process more enjoyable.

Recall the adage that the it is not a mistake unless you can see it from 10 feet away from the back of a galloping horse.

A quilt is not meant to be perfect. Whew! That relieved alot of stress.lol

Best advice? Somebody once told me to use the fabric like it was paint and to toss the idea of following a pattern so I'd come up with something original. I did. It came out wildly colorful and slightly lopsided and I hung it on a wall long before quilted wallhangings became popular. The best advice I ever got was to let the creativity come out and play! :D

I think the best advice I ever got, was (Can't ) Never did nothing, and Fear is your greatest Enemy. It has helped me to pursue things that I never thought I could accomplish. And that was big for me, because I was shy as a kid and timid as an adult.

I was told to worry less about the "perfectness" and more about the love I was putting into the quilt. I've made baby quilts for years, but this past 2 years is the first I've done large quilts. Sometimes I forget to relax and enjoy it. That's when I take the break from the project and work on something else.

I love all of these responses. They are great.

Another one I quoted to my sister the other day is that there are no mistakes in quilting. Just happy experiences! :wink:

I also like Elenore Burns comment about "Hang it high and keep it moving!"

Thanks for all of your wise words of wisdom. They have given me a boost and I spent a lot more time in the sewing room today than I have for quilt (I meant quite but quilt will work too!) awhile! :lol:

I read an article early on that said "Not Every Quilt is A Keepsake/Heriloom!"
What freedom to just make quilts the kids can drag around, spill something on, etc. and that is OK. I make these totally by machine--they are quick and easy and a fun way to try a new pattern!

Just tell them it came out "EXACTLY" how you intended it to! Nobody knows if you intended to do it that way or not!

(Some of our fellow quilters here have the personality to pass that off -- no questions asked! Say, Patrice for example!) :lol:

I wish I could remember who told me to buy a rotary cutter and mat and a walking foot... Up to that point I was making string quilts, nine patches or anything else with squares and tying all of them.