Patience would be my advice. Walk softly and carry a big seam ripper. When I was younger and had a boo boo I would leave it (often for my mother to fix). Now I have no mother, I'm the fixer. Just patience.

Take as many quilt classes you have the chance to. I always learn something new from each one. Quilting isn't suppose to be a solitary activity all the time. Enter the local fair or quilt show. Really your quilt will look just fine hanging by all the other quilts. When sewing I go very slow and just recently started to use a longer stitch length for piecing, 3 setting. My blocks lay flat and less bulk at the seams.

This one made me laugh.

You mean that having a cat's paw under the needle, a whole cat on the blocks to be pressed, and kitty supervision while cutting is detrimental?

Naw - can't be. :p

Kitty holding down the stack of fabric - marking as much of it as possible with hair - doing the maximum stretch when trying to lay something out. Rearranging the blocks laid out on the floor or table. Gotta admit - sometimes they are cute!

Relax and realize you can never make all those quilts you downloaded the patterns for. pressing--it makes a world of difference.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. Don't be afraid to step out of you comfort zone and try new techniques. Step away from the project if you become frustrated, have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, or chocolate and allow yourself to just breathe. Seek out a mentor and be a mentor. Be proud of your accomplishments, shine when complimented and don't take it to heart when criticized for they know not the love and labor involved.

I think that taking my time when audtioning the fabric has helped me produce more visually acceptable quilts in the last few years.

What has worked for me: stop being goal oriented and become process oriented with a goal to finish. I used to do most everying as goal oriented. Get that quilt done. Get dinner on the table. It's like "stop and smell the roses". Now I'm more process oriented: enjoying just doing it. Today I made Pesto. It started as goal oriented. Catching myself, I turned into a process oriented project and enjoyed experimenting. It's mellowing now and get to have it for dinner.

Yes! This is what I think I have done too.

Take my time, enjoy the process and use the best fabric I can afford. Why waste my time on crummy fabric?

Accuracy in the prep work: Planning, cutting, PRESSING!, sewing that 1/4" seam consistently, and SQUARING my blocks. Also adding a glass of wine for relaxation does me a world of good. :)