Follow the "rules"! I know some will say "the quilt police", but when patterns, books, quilters all say something over and over, there is probably a good reason for doing it that way. I found when I stopped trying to take shortcuts (like ironing instead of pressing, for instance), I became more accurate. Just my opinion.

There is a lot of good advice here. What has also helped me are the friends I have made who offer suggestions and guidance along the way, I find a particular problem that I have and then focus on what I can do to improve it and after years of trial and error many suggestions and lots of practice I come up with the solutions that work best for me. Also having the right tools and the best equipment that my budget can afford makes a real difference.

I don't think I can add anything new! For me, the most important thing is to walk away when I start to get sloppy, make mistakes, etc. Unlike some, I can't quilt all day - I start to get sloppy. I need to do something different, even if it's just switching from quilting to sewing doll clothes.

I got a design wall after one too many rearranging of blocks (on the bed) by one of my two kitty-helpers.

As for cat hair on the fabric, I look at it as extra insulation. :)

:) About that design wall: it's hung across the room from a wide row of mirrored closet doors. Standing back and looking at the reflection in the mirrors makes boo-boos pop right out!

So does looking at photos.

And when you are laying out blocks to find the perfect layout: take photos! There's nothing more frustrating than finding the perfect layout of 84 log cabin blocks, making just one change, just one more change, and ..... then realizing that you already had the perfect layout umpteen changes ago. And don't remember the layout. :o

That is what I was going to say! accuracy!!!

Pay attention to the details. When I cut accurately, sew accurately, press accurately, and pay attention to all the other details of sewing, such as machine maintenance and proper thread/needle/fabric combination, I get a great product. I've learned how to do that, precisely, one thing at a time. Patience is also needed. It also helps me greatly that my oak sewing furniture, which I designed, is ergonomically correct for me and my lighting is good.

I've been sewing for many years now, taught by my grandmother, a professional seamstress with her own business, and I am still learning. I take classes, teach classes, and pay attention to what is happening in the quilting world.

First, practice does make perfect, the more you sew/quilt, the better you'll get. Also slowing down a bit and not trying to make a quilt in a night helps. I find I try to go ahead without reading the directions, but have to go back and read them anyway, so I try to read them first, wastes less time that way.

MAKE NOTES!!!! Just like taking pictures of your quilt to catch mistakes or to audition the best lay out, making a note of where you are at the end of a session, often saves valuable material. When did I discover this fact you ask? It was the day that I cut the pieces for several quilt blocks and, when wondering why I was so short of fabric, realized I had cut the exact same pieces a few days before. Sigh....

I agree with housedragon.