Anniedeb

Like Bearisgray, I pre-wash everything. Other than that, my main rule is that I have to be 99.999% happy with each step before I move on. If I run into an issue, I need to pause, and think about it. I can hang pieces, blocks and quilts on my china hutch, and will stare at it sometimes for inspiration, or to figure out what is bothering me about a block, seam, or color combo. I learned to sew from watching my mom 60+ years ago. She would always say "figure out a way to make it work", or "no-one's going to do it for you". So no real rules, and no quilt police. Just strive for that 100%, and accept it when I say to myself, "good enough". Clean as I go, and when I'm done.

loisf

I rarely buy fabric unless I have a specific, immediate purpose for it. I always wash the fabric before I begin sewing, usually the day I buy it. If a seam bothers me, I redo it. The backing always has to compliment the top.

copycat

I like to make baby quilts. My one rule is to quilt them lightly, so the baby quilt stays soft and doesn't get too stiff from dense quilting designs.

RedGarnet222

I make sure that I have everything on hand for a project before I start it. During the snowstorms or scorchingly hot days of summer which I don't like to brave, I am very happy to have kitted up what I can grab and know I can finish to the end.
I rue the day I ever taught my hubby about the finer parts of quilt sewing. He thinks he has to be the police now. LOL! This from a man who once thought that if you sewed in reverse, it would take the stitches out! A monster I created my own resident monster, I tell you. LOL! He is still a really good hubby though.
I have learned to be kind to myself and not take on projects that are weeks to complete. I don't like the stress of it all.
I still look forward to the quilt shows put on by the local quilt guild. I don't belong, but after attending for many years, I have my favorite quilters and want to see what they are doing.
I have forced myself to finish some of my tops into quilts. The ones that are too large and hurt my hands and wrists I will slowly pick out a couple at a time and send to the long arm. I suppose that is a reality many getting older quilter's come to. I mostly buy backings for specific quilts now instead of impulse buying. Right?
Oh one more rule, Start sewing early on projects that have a deadline. Life happens and I hate being late to mail a gift.
This was fun sharing. Happy sewing everyone.

Mkotch

I don't prewash except batiks and red/hot pinks. They always seem to bleed for me.
I like to go off the page and not follow a pattern. This can get me into trouble sometimes, but it's what I do. Usually it all ends up OK.
I clean up as I go because I don't like to work in a mess.
I get rid of fabric I don't know why I bought, and I regularly use and browse the guild "free" table for snippets I might be able to use.
I usually press to the dark side and hate pressing seams open.
I don't see these as "rules' - they are just what I do!

aashley333

I understand how to add borders "as I Go"! I'm gonna try that on my next quilt. TY.
Guidelines? Hmmm...

• I have the next project lined up and ready to go. I try to finish one quilt before going to the next. No UFOs.
• I clip, clip, clip loose threads as I go.
• Use the clapper on seams-with a 2 pound weight-for flat seams.
• I am not afraid to ask for help or instructions.
• My beginner FMQ with imperfect loops looks just fine!
• I do strive for 1/4" SA.
• I do not feel compelled to complete a quilt that I am not enjoying!
• Nest when I can, press open when needed. No preference.

Onebyone

I guess my only rule I have for myself is I starch fabric, even precuts, before cutting. I have more accuracy when sewing stiff fabric. My fabric is like cardstock.

GingerK

This body has decided she doesn't like repetitive motion. So--I will cut for X amount of blocks, sew those blocks, press those blocks, and cut for the next group, etc. This also helps discover cutting errors before ruining the whole quilt.

If I draw out a pattern I've seen, I make one block. If I still like it but don't have time to make more blocks, I put the sample with the drawing and any other info I have, as a reference. Much better than trying to figure out what exactly was that thing I saw and 'thought' I drew out so carefully.

I too, try to use the same ruler(s) through the whole project. Ditto for sewing machines.

I make notes to myself because, much as I hate to admit it, my memory is not perfect. If I have to leave a project, even for a few days, I put the fabrics together with completed blocks, pattern, a note with what has been done and what needs to be accomplished to finish the project. Why, you ask? Try finding just half a yard more of that one 10 year old fabric that you mistakenly used in something else.

I give myself 3 chances to fix an oopsie. After that, I deem it to be what it is, and move on. Occasionally, that block will end up in the orphan pile. Usually I am just being too persnickety.

I always stay stitch around the perimeter of my tops. I have been told by my longarmers, that they really appreciate this since it keeps seams on the edges from opening and fabric from raveling.

As a new longarmer, after my first practice quilt, I learned to take the time to stay stitch around any top that is going on the longarm. Nothing worse that a single fabric in a top, stretching and distorting the whole thing or suddenly finding an open seam on the edge of a top.

Onebyone

Oh I have another thing. I don't chain piece. I make one block at a time. I'd rather have several blocks made than a pile of units.

bearisgray

Interesting comments!