I thought it would be neat if we had a thread with hints for quilting. Here is my hint: wash your fabrics then startch, startch and iron or press. Makes cutting and sewing so much easier.

If I'd been told as a new quilter that I would have to wash and press my fabrics before I could cut and sew, I would never have made my first quilt, much less continued for 10 years. Please do not put that burden on newbies. Give them the pros and cons and let them decide.

And now that I've started that debate, I'll quietly leave.

My hint is spend the money to buy good quality tools and supplies. Use the JoAnn's discount coupons to make your purchases, but don't scrimp on quality over quantity.

don't be afraid to try anything, if it works , good, if not, try something else

Measure twice, cut once.

Look before sewing.

I did not start this thread so we could argue over who has the best hints. Please just put your hint and don't put anybody else's hint down.

do something small such as a pillow,wallhanging or baby quilt instead of a queen size!
a finish will give you confidence!
A large first project may never get finished!

4 Paws up! I AGREE with BOTH your comments! :)

Don't give up if your first projects are less perfect than you had hoped. Learn from the mistakes made and keep trying. (I have yet to make one "perfect" quilt and I've been doing this 30 years.)

Keep a sense of humor about you and what you're doing. Don't get stressed over things not being perfect. :D

Quilting is fun. When it's not fun anymore, move on to something else. Don't stress over perfection or comparison to other quilters. Do your own thing, do it well, and enjoy it.

There are many different ways to do the same thing. I think it's important to make a decision based on what you think may work best for you. Take the washing question: I sometimes do and sometimes don't. When I work with intense color, I ALWAYS do a color test to see if it will run.

My tip: Test out the pattern with a trial block. That way you can double check the measurements and how the pieces fit together.

Just read another hint in another thread: Keep magnets away from computerized machines.

I learned the magnet thing the hard way!!! Lol

Re: The Prewashing fabric hint: It took me a while to learn this, but I finally read that if you prewash the fabrics (and batting) before you build a quilt, it will not shrink as much when it's finally washed. If you do not prewash the fabric when it's washed for the first time it will shrink and look like a much older quilt. (some people prefer this look). And from my own experiencfe it's true. Also, I personally learned the hard way that some fabrics bleed. I really want to know that prior to putting it in a quilt. I'm with you CJO, I like it to look new after it's washed for several years before it looks like an older quilt. I guess it is personal preference, but I always prewash now.

As for my own hint: When you butt seamed pieces together, make sure your seams are: one ironed to the right and one ironed to the left, this will allow you to nestle them together snugly and hopefully the corners will meet perfectly on the front of your quilt. (Try to always iron seams towards the darker color if possible).

if you use batik, and don't want to ruin a quilt wash and starch/sizing.
I never used starch but now wont cut with out it. I soak my fabric in one day and then cut the next.
Washing is up to you but it does help. when washing use the hand wash or delicate cycle tumble dry low or hang dry, your fabric wont fall apart this way. make sure to iron after washing to get accurate cuts and starching helps this also.
I only prewash batiks by hand or fabric that is older or comes from someones home. (no offense to anyone's home, just have allergies pretty bad)
my hint would be to starch if you are having trouble with getting good cuts. I never did before and now wont cut with out having starched.

Practice sewing a straight seam using light stripe fabric, and always sew the same size seam. Happy Sewing :)
Also agree with small project, fewer color combos.

Start with a small project and remember no one is perfect. Try something new each time you start a project. It doesn't have to be a big thing, maybe just a new pattern. And most of all, have fun. That why we quilt.

I keep a large glass of water to drink nearby. I get very thirsty when I sew.

Invest in a 1/4 inch sewing foot! Best tool ever!

IF you choose to wash your fabrics, first use pinking shears to trim the cut edge and they will not twist into a knot and fray so badly in the washer & dryer.

Also, take breaks often and stretch. Your back and shoulders will appreciate it.

My hint: just have fun!!!! There are nooooo quilt police

My hint: use thick cotton (not thin and slidy:( one) ,and follow a project instructions as a good tuturial (step by step) more easlyg

I dont wash my fabrics persay....I soak them in the tub in very hot water until the water goes cold, then hang out dripping, doubled over on the washing line so you dont get stretch. This way, your raw edges dont get into a frayed mess by the spinning of the washing line, and you dont get the permanent creases from the spinning cycle. I have never had a problem with my fabrics running or shrinking.

As for batting, I buy the pre srunk stuff. I dont have time to wash that too.

If you snip off a tiny corner of the fabric on all four corners you can eliminate much of the thread frays and twisting in the washing/drying process (if you choose to prewash)

Keep a trash can near your machine.

Keep a bin for your scraps. Anything less than 1" goes in the trash, small pieces and off cuts go in the scrap bin.

REMEMBER!!!!! Rotary cutters are very sharp!! Get in the habit of closing your cutter before you lay it down each time and watch the placement of your fingers when you cut!!! :-D

I agree! If it works for you, then do it!

Ask for advice, but remember the choice is yours alone. Many great inventions were first "mistakes".

Don't be afraid to jump in and get going!

Just remember that you are only human and as a new quilter you will make mistakes. And that's ok.

How far away is a safe distance? I've always wondered, but never saw an answer.

Don't attempt the complicated parts of patterns if you are too tired or distracted. Stick to the easy stuff at those times.

Same goes for cutting. Be sure to read the pattern thoroughly before you start cutting.

Don't freak out if your pieces are a smidgen off. Once it's quilted and washed, the puckering will hide a multitude of mistakes.

Until you gain confidence, match the bobbin thread to the backing fabric. Also hides a multitude of mistakes.

Don't be afraid to experiment with other people's suggestions. Everyone has their own comfort level and what works for them may not work for you. Do what works for you!

When washing a long length of fabric, fold as on the bolt, fanfold into a smaller length, say 1 yard or so, pin w/safety pins every foot or so. Wash & dry this way and avoid a tangled mess.

Relax and enjoy your hobby!

I think practicing 1/4 " seams. I had a hard time with nothing matching up at first. My personal preferance is to pre-wash & starch. Things just go together much easier. Most of all have fun & keep your seam ripper close by.

When you are putting blocks together, PIN, PIN, PIN. That way, your seems will match. I also press every seem.

I don't think this is a hint, but my tip would be have no fear, jump right in and do whatever catches your eye. My first quilt was a Red Hat applique and I had never even threaded a machine never mind done machine applique :) :) Then I finished it by stippling it. Probably not as good as an experienced quilter could have done but I was certainly proud of myself. That quilt still looks good to me when I see it. I gifted it to my mother.

Loving these experience tips! Keep em coming!

I think I have another reason for not pre-washing your fabric (unless there's a possibility of the colors running, in which case you definitely should).

One advantage of the old, wrinkled look is that it hides the imperfections in your FMQing. I just took a break from FMQing a queen size quilt (wow, is that big and hard to manage) and I really suck at it. My curves are so wavy (where not intended to be so). I am definitely counting on that not being so obvious after washing LOL.

Just don't put it on your electronic items. As far as distance I've never seen an answer either.