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

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?

I can't recall all of them- so many. Most recently was the help I got "rehabbing" my 401a. Also basting with Elmer's washable school glue.

Definitely glue basting is the best. :thumbup:

I think for me it was sewing machine set up and having tables to the left of the machine to support my quilt. I originally read about that on something Leah Day wrote and was working on it, but the actual setup I ended up with, I copied almost identically from someone here. :) It's still not quite *perfect* but it's the best I've had so far.

Glue basting!

I am such a newbie. I'd have to say ALL. Of them! This board is my nightly reading before I go to sleep!

There have been some great tips on this board. I have incorporated many and couldn't begin to tell you which is my favorite. I do love the Elmers glue basting, too.

I said on a thread that quilting for very long was hurting my back and someone answered back that I should put door stops in back of my machine and tilt it forward. It sure helped and made my quilting so much better. I can quilt for much longer time now.

I have sewn garments for many years, but when I started quilting, this was the go-to place for information. I have honestly learned so much that I couldn't enumerate them all. Plus everyone is so willing to help and offer advice. The encouragement is invaluable.

To be prepared to admit you need advise from others and are willing to listen. So many helpful people who. Don't make you feel stupid .

Just got back from the Paducah Quilt Show and I bought a LOT of fabric from any different vendors - including Eleanor Burns - whose employees tear the fabrics - I have them all stacked on my counter and the torn fabrics do not look a bit different than the scissor cut fabrics - no distortion, etc. Very good idea!

Glue basting.

Here's a recent post...

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t219906.html

Have to give 2 --- There are no quilt police and that it is better finished than perfect. Both very liberating.

To admire a quilt from a galloping horse!

My favorite and best tip was to have confidence, and not be concerned about "the quilting police". Next favorite was to use bed risers to raise up my cutting surface. Helped my aching back!!!

Please tell me about the glue basting please

There is a tutorial on the glue basting if that would help. The jest of it is, you use Elmer's white school glue. You know those little bottles in the back to school section. You want the washable school glue. Instead of using pins, you use the glue to put the quilt sandwich together. A little bit of glue goes a long way. Give it a day or 2 to dry and quilt. After you finish your quilt, wash it. The glue is all gone. No pins. No pin marks. It really works like a charm as simple as it sounds.

Where can I find the tutorial? Youtube?

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

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.

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".

The tip about threading ten needles, one after the other, and keeping them on the spool of thread - for hand quilting.

That one blew me away. The Quilting Board is the nicest place to be.........it starts my day on the right foot.

Couple of ounces of Vodka in a spray bottle of water for taking out deep set wrinkles.

By the far my favorite tip is using Elmer's School Glue for basting and for applying bindings!!! I'm soooo in love with Elmer!! I love doing bindings since I met Elmer!

Bookmarking/adding to favorites. I check this board on a daily basis. All the tips are #1 in my book.

To be proud of my work. There are no quilt police. Be confident and try new things. There are lots of friends on this board who are happy to encourage one another.

I agree: washable school glue basting.

My first thought was using Elmer's Glue....not just for basting but I use it to help match those difficult seams. Everyone else loves to the Elmer's too.

There are so many things that I have learned. Others have listed just about all of them. Thanks for posting.

The most recent of many is to fmq keep the feed dogs up and set the stitch length.....really helped me in frq!!!

Almost spilled my pop...my eyes stopped reading for a second, then I recovered and read on. Made me smile and also now have a good tip!

Me too, indymta--my thought was "wrinkles in fabric, or face"......LOL