Doing it 'right' - actually does save time in the long run.

The most important thing to me, is to know when to walk away from it. Sewing, on a quilt or apparel sometimes things do not go together as they should, and your just making the same error over and over. Time to take a break, and come back the next day with a fresh set of eyes. Amazing what you can see the next day : )

Love this thread and all the advice given! I also found if I keep the clutter down and tidy up the area periodically, it does help to relax you as you do your quilt work. I recently gave my area a MUCH NEEDED vacuuming (not a "I promise to do a better job the next time type" :D). I took things off the floor where possible, such as storage bins, floor mats, bags, etc. This time I decided to put back fewer items where possible and donate the excess to my guild for its silent auction next month. Wow, did it make a difference!

Check your progress as you go along. STAND BACK AND ADMIRE YOUR WORK! If you look over each block, each row, each two rows, etc. you will find things that are much easier to fix NOW than when the whole thing is sewn together and even quilted. There will be enough small mistakes that sneak in; just try to catch those big ones.

It's not a race. Take your time and enjoy the process,

Take pictures of what you are doing. Sometimes things are easier to spot on a photo than "in person"

Pressing helped me a lot. At first I didn't take time but found that it really saves time.

practice new things on muslin first

Cutting precisely, sewing that scant 1/4 seam and pressing the seams is the most important, if you do that, the rest is gravy. I was taught that in my beginning quilting class and I have found that to be absolutely true through just 7 years of quilting. I have sewed since I was 11 years old and I was followed the above rules and my clothes were perfect.

Love what you are doing.