best thing I've learned is accuracy assurance at every step. It may seem (and often is) tedious but you are assured of a square quilt at the end. so, measure twice, cut once

RIGHT sides together!

Learning to sew 1/4 in. Takes a lot of practice.Rotary cutter, rulers,and the mat.

Press/iron fabric before cutting !!!

1. The iron is my friend. I used to bypass that step. Now, I spend a lot of time planning my order of operation to see if I can improve the "nesting" portion of the blocks and rows. Nesting makes assembly soooo much faster and easier.

2. When making a small mistake, the world does not come to an end AND once the quilt is quilted, most times it is hard to even find the error. So don't sweat the small stuff.

3. Sometimes "finished" is way better than "perfect."

4. Challenging colors or challenging patterns are great opportunity for growth.

5. "Machine Quilting made easy" by Maureen Noble is a great book of exercises.

When I realized I could use the rotary cutter to cut patterns instead of pinning and cutting with scissors! Suddenly the only thing I really really dislike about sewing disappeared! Also love my Ellisimo!

I haven't been here long, but i would say my best thing i have learned is to please myself. You don't always have to follow the " rules."

I wish that I had learned much sooner that when squaring up blocks, the 45 degree line on your square must line up on the diagonal of the block you are squaring up. I don't know how I missed that piece of information and then couldn't understand why my half square triangle blocks were not balanced. Once I learned to square up blocks properly, it make stitching a top much easier.

The one most important thing I have learned is keeping it simple. I have never really found any gadgets that really make quilting easier. New gadgets just create a different scenario of issues to work through.

I am not a purist in any sence of the term. I do use "modern" tools but it can all be done with needle and shears. Isn't that marvelous!

I have no favorite gadget or tool. I would have to add that the best thing I do own is a color wheel, which I rarely use but is there when I want it.
peace

:D

Rotary cutter and ruler and self healing mat!!!