I have read so many topics on this board and have enjoyed them. But I can't decide which one is best. I signed up for "tips on quilting" for our next local get-together. Would some of you please send me your "favorite tip". I really would appreciate it. This board is the greatest thing and I read it daily. Thanking you for your "tips".

never start a new project if you have one already started.

when cutting half-square triangles, cut them 1/8" larger and square them up once you have sewn them together.

read a pattern completely before you even buy the fabric, I have found that with some patterns they have you buying and cutting way too much fabric. Example; cut 2- 12 7/8" wof strips, 2 -12 1/2" strips and 1- 6 1/2" strip
for 4-12 7/8" squares and 4 12 1/2" squares and 4 6 1/2" squares. I found that if I cut the 12 7/8" strip as 13" I could get the 4 6 1/2" squares cut out of the left over 13" strip and 1 12 1/2" sqare from that same 13" strip. totally eliminating 1 of the 2 12 1/2" strip and the 6 1/2 strip, saving 19 inches of fabric.

Put a dab of super glue on your under finger when hand quilting (make sure it's dry before starting to quilt). I just got this tip a few days ago and it has worked like nothing else I've tried before.

If you get really sick of working on something, don't put it away, just do a few minutes a day. At some point you'll get excited about it again.

No need to be a neatnick, start something new anytime but add them to a list and mark off the ones you finish.

It's only fabric, nobody dies. Don't obsess, just sew. If it's really bad you're allowed to throw it away and start over.

Have a certain place where things "live", cuts down on time wasted searching for things. Try to organize and neaten up as you go, not after it becomes the elephant in the room.

Don't be afraid to try new things. If you mess up, so what, nobody needs to know but you.

Have fun!

This one would never work for me. Sometimes when I hit a dead end I need to put a project aside to think it over. Then I come back to it when my mind is fresh or I see a new idea how to finish it.

My best hint is to enjoy the process, make your quilts your way and don't be bothered about those who suggest you might be breaking the "rules."

quiltsRfun said: My best hint is to enjoy the process, make your quilts your way and don't be bothered about those who suggest you might be breaking the "rules."

I like this! I realized a few months ago that I won't live to quilt everything I want to do. So, I'm doing what I want to do and having fun doing it. I don't join block swaps any more; I'm not a perfect sewer but can accept what I sew and don't need the quilt police" to critique me.

There are NO quilt police - unless you are entering a juried show - so don't stress over those problem areas that seem so huge! Nobody but you would probably notice them. This is supposed to be something you enjoy!

it was only a suggestion. I cant even follow that one myself. lol ..... I tell myself I will start another top the quilt both of them. Never works, got 3 going right now. I try though

Mimom, I love your guitar bear@@@@ My DH is a guitarist and that would make a nice quilt for our bed!

This would never work for me either! I always have several projects going at the same time. One quilt that I am working on I am piecing by hand and that one I work on only when traveling and camping. I have been working on this several years, and it will probably take a couple more years, but I figure that is time used quilting and not wasted.

I am making a "summer" quilt for our bed, but that one got put on the back burner while I make a baby quilt for our new grandbaby who is due in May.

Sometimes I get started on one quilt and I get bored with it, or find I am having trouble with it and I just need to walk away from it for a while and come back a couple months later and look at it with fresh eyes.

So I always have several quilting projects going at once.

There was an interesting article about this by Erica Spinks in the February 2011 issue of Downunder Quilts. If you haven't discovered the online version of this magazine yet got to
http://www.creativelivingmedia.com.au

When cutting with a rotary cutter, wear shoes and watch your left hand to make sure a finger isn't in the cut area. Mitered corners are not that hard just learn to do them. Mitered borders are a bit harder.

Another tip that I love is to thread a bunch of betweens and leave them on the spool. Pull a length of thread with one needle as you need it, cut the thread and continue quilting. I thread several when I have my contacts out and can actually see the hole in the needle. Saves time and frustration.

Here's an entire thread dedicated to that topic:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-106276-1.htm