milp04

Sewing a scant 1/4 inch seam is important. Measure twice, cut once. Use only one ruler when measuring. It's best not to use the markings on your cutting mat. They will wear out sooner if you use them. When buying standard type rulers it's best to use the same brand. Different companies, different measurements. When in doubt, check the measurements with different rulers.

Change your rotary blades, don't cut with dull blades. A good source for cheap blades for the 45mm is Harbor Freight. They are called carpet cutting blades. They do tend to be sharper IMHO than our regular rotary blades so be aware and be very very careful. Don't cut fabric when you're tired. Quit, then start again after a good night's rest. Ask me how I know!!

Learn how to prepare your fabric. Wash, dry, iron. Learn when it's good to use starch, spray sizing. Many have switched to a new product for fabric treating when ironing, called Best Press. It's wonderful. Comes in different fragrances, and without. It's definately worth the money. Buy it with discount coupons whenever possible.

Spend time on You Tube. It seems there is a video for anything you might want to learn about.

You've done one of the best things by coming here and being a member. We are just one click away from trying to give answers and help in any way.

Search for guilting groups in your area. Check out any LQS, local quilt shop, for classes and guidance.

Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck, enjoy the journey of quilting.

Pam M

cmw0829

Definitely the measure twice and cut once - ask me how I know?? :D

If you can, you might want to see if your LQS (if you have one) offers beginner or skill builder classes. I'm taking these to learn some basis practices.

AnnieF

I would say....find adult ed or JoAnn's or a quilt shop and take a beginning quilters' class. Yes you are beyond that level as soon as you finished your first quilt, but it's good to learn the basics.

DogHouseMom

Same here - except I never watched any shows on TV. I just jumped in cause I knew how to sew so figured - can't be much different. It didn't take long to figure out that there were differences, but more important I knew that there were short-cuts/better methods that I didn't know about and there were probably some bad habits that I developed without knowing it.

I bought "Quilting For Dummies" after I had been quilting for about 2 years. Honestly. And I did indeed pick up quite a few tips, short cuts, and just plain stuff I didn't know about.

Learing a LOT of stuff here as well. Such as the benefits of starch.

yonnikka

After years of quilting on my own, I found the Rodale Successful Quilting Series the best, chock full of useful information. Multiple ways to accomplish tasks such as binding. Or Sets. You might want to try one volume at a time, such as Perfect Piecing. You won't be disappointed. Illustrations are very useful and informative and fits well with the written instructions. Special terms are defined well, so you won't feel like they are talking foreign language.

emerald46

Loved it Elizabeth...saved and printed. Of course, Word did not like the words ootch and scootch..but I know exactly what you mean. Good tips.

mrsk

Can't agree with all the previous comments enough. Just keep learning any way you like best (reading, TV, this board, U-tube etc..) and if you see a tip or trick try it right away, it might save you hours of time in the long run! Always keep yourself open for new ideas, but love what you are doing at the moment too. Don't feel the Quilt Police are breathing down your neck at every stitch. HAVE FUN!

jbud2

One thing I never picked up on when I started to hand quilt was using a single thread. I had a double thread, pulled like heck to bury the knot (and yes, I did pull threads in the fabric doing it!) It wasn't till I showed one of my wallhangings to a new friend and she asked me why I used a double thread. I didn't pick up that in the how to pictures!
Don't be afraid to ask ANY questions - one of us probably found out the hard way!

redmadder

Been doing it 38 years and I still learn something everyday. And yeah, have to redo things. Don't be afraid to rip it out and do it over.

0tis

Well, I am self taught also - had family members that quilted but I did not learn from them. I think the 1/4" seam is very important - but also pressing is equally important - sometimes I square up a block other times I don't just depends on what I am doing. Like I always say, There is more than one way to skin a cat" (an awful saying but gets the point across) so even if we don't do it like the experts perhaps our way works just as well or better.