Take the time to develop good habits and techniques right from the beginning instead of rushing to finish a project. For example, fold carefully before you cut and then cut as accurately as you can. Practice so that your scant 1/4 inch seam just comes naturally to you. Press (not iron) seams being careful to not distort the block, then square up carefully. Those little tiny, seemingly insignificant steps, make so much difference in your finished project.

One final thought once you get a little experience, take time to carefully read your pattern BEFORE you start cutting, sewing and so on. I take a yellow marker and highlight important points so I understand exactly what the designer had in mind. Why? Because I have made some really dumb mistakes going off half cocked instead of taking time to read and plan ahead. LOL

Listen to all the advice above. I have been quilting only 15 months. My sister is my mentor. The videos, tutorials, the quilting board are all very valuable resources. Most of all I learned from my mistakes. I was told to be accurate. That didn't come until I had to rip a few times. This is the greatest hobby. Give yourself time to grasp it all. It really doesn't take long. I started with table runners and small quilts and it wasn't long before I graduated to queen size bed quilts. I can now actually look at a picture and figure out a pattern by myself. I told my sister that would never happen. You will surprise yourself. Good luck to you.

How true. I am a complete newbie, just a wanna be and it completely overwhelms me to even begin.

good advice from all. the one thing I learned here and loved was (if I don't explain it well, someone please jump in) to line up my seams stick a straight pin in the top seam and make sure it lines up with the matching seam underneath before you sew it. it helped me use the seam ripper a lot less.

this ruler brand is one suggestion I believe in whole heartedly. Using two different brands can lead to tiny miscuts that will drive you insane until you discover what's happened.

Press, do not iron as you go....

Don't overwhelm yourself by taking on too big and too complicated a project. I knew nothing and I mean nothing. Didn't know what a fat quarter was and what was a scant seem...etc. Took a class which was supposed to be for beginners and it wasn't. I finally learned, but not without feeling stupid, making mistakes and almost giving up. If I'd have started with a pieced hot pad, or a table runner in a simple design, I wouldn't have put my project in the closet for 8 years before trying again. The youtube videos are in valuable and so are the websites that are now all over the net.

Love what you do and forget about the quilt police.

Don't take shortcuts. The devil is in the details but if you cut correctly, sew accurately, and press correctly, then the top will fall in place. And ENJOY - don't stress.

Patience: You will not become an expert overnight.

Practice: You will become an expert overtime!

Anita