batikmystique

Great advice, Patti25314! I will have to remember the spray bottle trick. Would also like to add that I always press my seams on the back of the blocks to set them before pressing the seam from the front. Helps avoid the distortion. As Patti25314 mentioned, I can't stress enough the technique of pressing vs ironing.

Jeanette Frantz

None of us will ever be "perfect". There was only one man who walked this earth who was perfect, and He (the son of God) was nailed to a tree. We can certainly pursue "Excellence" which is knowing in your heart you've done the very best you are capable of doing (at that particular time). I am still a "newbie" when it comes to quilting, but I've made my clothes for 50+ years. I think I do a pretty good job at the clothes, but I'm not perfect. The more you make quilts, the more you will improve. Experience is a great teacher. I've never seen a "perfect" quilt, but I have sure seen some beautiful quilts. As another member of this board stated, don't be too hard on yourself. Your quilt will always be treasured because it was your first one! I have made some really bad mistakes, but I just keep trying not to repeat those mistakes! Ladies, it's late and I have to hit the floor at 6:00 a.m. to go to work! Good Night all! Jeanette Frantz

sammygirlqt

You sure brought back some memmories of my first quilt. I was so excited to get it finished I never even thought about it being square. It ended up with some lumps and crooks here and there and it has been loved to pieces (literally). Just finish your quilt and love it as your very first quilt. It is your first step to greater things and 20-30 years from now you will have fond memmories of making this quilt.

Carolyn All Day

You ladies are so wonderful and have made me feel a lot better! I managed to get my big pregnant belly on the floor and basted my quilt (with curved safety pins - next time when I'm not worried about possible fumes, I might give some of those sprays or glue a try!).

Tomorrow night I'll start sewing! Wish me luck!

sandy l

And if the galloping horse is 8 feet away, that's even better

bearisgray

My current favorite rulers are the ones by Olfa.

I like the frosted look, the measurement lines are easy to follow.

The ones I don't like as much any more:

Quilter's Rule - the ones with the raised lines on the bottom - the lines are very thick
I had one with a lip - I gave it away because it annoyed me
And then there were a couple that the markings were waaaaay off - just because it's printed on the ruler, that is no guarantee that it is accurate - I don't want to state the names, because I don't remember -for sure - what they were.

Lori S

One of the most over looked tools is starch. I find even with the best of rulers , nothing beats starch for ensuring accuracy . Try starching some fabrics prior to cutting , making a small sample block , and see if you like the results. Yes it will be a bit stiffer ...but starch washes out ... errors do not.

Luv Quilts and Cats

I love my 6 x 24 inch ruler. I use my 12.5 x 12.5 all the time for blocks. I also use 6.5 x 6.5 and 5.5 x 5.5 as well. I like the idea of practicing cutting on old sheets and table cloths from Goodwill. I haven't thought of that. If something is way off, I will fix it. But imperfections are part of quilting. Nobody is perfect. Just keep playing with rulers and fabric and you will gain experience and confidence. The first cut into fabric I really love is always the hardest, I find. Good Luck and keep trying!

peacebypiece

Part of your problem is pregnancy. The quilt is fine but your judgement is off. In the grand scheme of things it simply can't be that bad. You said it's a crib quilt.
after a few spit-ups and other baby oops's you won't notice and crooked seams.
Now. lighten up and slow down when working on quilts. I also highly recommend pre-washing your fabric. The objective is to straighten the grain. It was woven correctly, but gets crooked from high speed winding on the bolts, etc. Then pay attention when cutting, also slow down. Like driving a car in a crowded lot, slow and steady is better when you are sewing the pieces together. On some things I use glue stick or very fine pins just to be sure they are lined up right.

kathbug

Being new to quilting also I think it takes time with everything matching. I see it with each quilt. Most the time after it is quilted the only person who still notices is you. Though it is still upsetting to you to know that it is not perfect you will be able to see how you have improved on each new quilt