Quiltingboard Forums - What do you consider to be the very best tip that you got from this board?

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so many good ones it is hard to narrow it down.

I think the most helpful tip I received from this board is when someone mentioned that they put about a 3/4 inch lift on the back side of their sewing machine to ease shoulder tension when sewing. After sewing for probably over 50 years it had never occurred to me to do that and it makes such a difference on how long I can continue to sew without pain! So thankful for that tip.

Mary Ellen's Best Press

Not pressing my quilt binding before I sew it on the quilt. It's sooooo much easier just folding and sewing.

The best tip I've had: "Join quiltingboard.com". To all of my fellow quilters and Board members. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in my sewing career. I am overwhelmed with your knowledge, expertise and willingness to share and help. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And a great big HUG! Yolanda Wood River

Putting rubber cement on the back of my plastic rulers so they don't move when I'm using a rotary cutter. When it gets full of lint, I just rub it off and reapply. I don't waste fabric from crooked cuts anymore.

I think the best Idea I found is to starch your fabric before cutting. I has made all the difference in the world when cuting triangles.

There have been a ton of good tips but the first one that came to mind was about using a digital camera. You can take a black and white pic of fabrics to make judgments about value, take a picture of a possible block layout to see if anything looks wrong, and take a picture of your final layout so you'll be able to duplicate it if you're interrupted or a pet runs through your blocks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dray965 (Post 6041533)

I know it will be hard to narrow it down to one. LOL

I have received so much help from all of you, that it is hard for me to just pick one. But right now, I think it is when I asked how to cut borders that were 16 1/2-inch by 112-inch. I'm new to all this and was sooo scared to measure and cut it.

I received several good suggestions, but the one that was best (at least in my opinion) was that of not cutting, but to tear it.

If I wasn't scared of ruining that material before, I really was when I read that suggestion. LOL But I called my mom. She said that in the 'old days' (she's 86) that they never cut, but always tore...that if the fabric is good and not of cheap quality, it will tear perfectly.

I did it. O Happy Days! <grin> I've not measured nor cut a big border since.

So...what's your best one?

So many good ones for a newbie (been at it for 2 years now). I brought the idea of signature quilts for benefits to my quilt club. They are excited about it.

I've had many "Why didn't I think of that" moments on the board. Learn something new almost daily but the most valuable has been the encouragement to just move ahead. To paraphrase "A finished quilt is much better than a UFO".