What quilting advice would you give "the 10 years younger" you?
 

If you could talk to the younger you, what have you learned over the years that if you'd known then, it would have made a big difference??

Have a purpose for every fabric you purchase. Way too much stash.

Refrain from buying so much fabric for the "stash". Buy for specific projects, then actually complete some of those projects before buying more!

Invest instead in better equipment -- an Accuquilt Studio, if you can afford it, or the newer electric Accuquilt Go! Being able to cut pieces precisely faster will allow you to make a lot more quilts.

Don't be afraid to machine quilt some of your creations. Actually starting to machine quilt is more important than being able to machine quilt perfectly.

take it slow on starting projects. push yourself to finish something you have become bored or frustrated with so it doesn't become a ufo. I also agree on limiting fabric purchases.

Buy kits and pre cuts. Buy only yardage to make backings and borders. Buy good quality thread.

Listen to your sister and start quilting 10 years before you did. I kept telling myself I couldn't quilt--it was too hard, took too much time...I had every excuse in the book. My sister finally convinced me to try a small project and I have been hooked ever since.

Buy a "GO" as it saves you so much time that you can cut less and quilt more.

1. You can buy more types of feet than the 2 that came with the machine.
2. You need a new needle after about 8 hours of sewing.
3. You need to oil your machine on a regular basis.
4. Those stores that people call "local quilt shops" do not sell quilts; they sell products to make nice quilts that don't fall apart in the wash. Buy your fabric & thread there!
5. Cotton quilts are supposed to crinkle in the wash. Don't panic!
6. It's nice to listen to other people's input & opinions, but at the end of the day, it's my quilt and I can use whatever fabrics, thread & designs I want with it. (I remember the cute little quilt I made based on a McCall's pattern for my niece with 12 dimensional applique doll dresses on it. The lady at the Big Box cutting counter insisted that I should only use one main color for my quilt. After a lot of back & forth -- both to the cutting counter & the store itself ... and then to Big Box brand #2 so I could stealthily buy more colors, I was so happy I used all the colors. It's a child's quilt & it's meant to be fun. I love it. My niece is still thrilled by it every single day. It's great to gather input, but don't let someone bully you into making a quilt that is to their taste when it's not even for them.)

And finally, a lesson I'm still trying to put into practice ... don't work on more than 2 quilts at a time. You will end up with UFO's and be drowning in projects that may never get done.

Relax and enjoy the journey. Your skills will improve with each project so don't sweat it.