Here's one for you all. Whats your Top 5 Quilting Rules that may not be the normal for other Quilters.

Here's mine:
1. No rules in Quilting, all Styles accepted.
2. I like 3/8 seams 1/4 seams too small for me.
3. Finish the Pretty Ones First. {your opinion of pretty}
O.K. thats only 3 will be looking for some more !!!!
(or just adopt #1 again)
:D :P :-D :wink:

1. Stop when you get tired or are breaking needles
2. Make patterns you find appealing or they'll never get done
3. Do small projects now and then to give you a sense of accomplishment
4. Take pictures of every quilt and keep it for later reminiscing
5. Make quilts for those special people in your life.

Okay: 1) there really aren't any quilt police. 2) when ever possible step outside the box(I do this often). 3) have fun (I already have a job and it's not quilting). 4) don't quilt hungry 5) if you are not enjoying the project you are making it's okay to stop, give it away, burn it, whatever makes you happy, you don't have to complete it (if you don't beleive me then reread rule number 1)

1. Stop worrying so much about getting things perfect. Chances are, that little boo boo won't show anyway!

2. Ditto on the "don't quilt hungry". I am SO bad about getting caught up with what I'm working on that I forget to eat, and the next thing you know, I'm majorly cranky and impatient with myself. And here come the mistakes ... :shock:

3. Don't be afraid to try different/new things.

4. Be careful with the rotary cutter! It bites! :shock:

5. It's good (for me, anyway) to have more than one project going on at a time. When you get tired of working on Project A, take a break and work on Project B for awhile. :)

1. measure twice & cut once

2. close your blade on your rotary cutter, very dangerous

3. don't sew when you are tired

4. make sure you have good lighting when sewing

5. stretch, take a break once in awhile, be sure to eat and drink

it's supposed to be FUN

all the quilts are MINE

there is no such thing as too many quilts

UFO's are a necessity

watch your bobbin

I really can throw away that 1" square in puice and burgandy without losing sleep over it for three or four nights.

I will forgive myself for not having every point match.

I will not quilt or work on sewing until 3:00 in the morning, I will stop at 2:00.

I will remember that going to work with little threads attached to your clothing is a fashion statement.

But my honest to gosh rule is "heed sound advice."

quilting shouldn't be work( there are jobs for that!)

If you sew a seam wrong two times in a row-it is time to quit for the day!
every morning gets a fresh start- with a cleaning,oiling and a new needle!
Work on a UFO at least 15 minutes a day-soon it will not be a ufo!
there are no ugly quilts- even if I don't like it someone will!

1. there are Quilt Police. pity them, laugh at them, or ignore them. just don't listen to them.
2. just because i admire a technique, passing on it because i know it would take me 5 years to do a placemat that way does not mean i'm a failure as a quilter.
3. i am not wasting fabric when i throw something away. i am beautifying the landfill; returning the cotton to nature; and contributing to the future of archaeology.
4. perfection is a noble goal, but it stinks as a standard.
5. try to inspire at least one younger person to take up quilting.

1) ENJOY YOURSELF!!!! When first started quilting everything was in a hurry (make make make) overloaded had to do everything. Now I've slowed down and enjoy. So it takes me a little longer - big deal.

2) Its OK to use fabric that you've had for 20yrs. Maybe its just the perfect one for what you need.

3) Keep learning - Will learn something new everyday with the individuals here on the board. Little tips and techniques. What fun!!!

4) Do what I like. Everyone doesn't have the same taste, so don't take it personally. I'm more old-fashioned and that's OK.

5) UFO's are my friends wanting to be reconnected with after awhile.

I'm going to add a 6th here sorry! :oops:

6) Its OK NOT to have all the up-to-date tools, maybe you can be creative and figure out how to do it with something else. Frugal is a good thing, leaves more money for fabric!!! :-D