10 Things I’ve Learned in My 10 Years of Quilting

10 Things I’ve Learned In My 10 Years of Quilting

Wow, I can not believe that 10 years has gone by since I’ve started the quilting journey. You can check out my “About Me” page to read about my story. I’m hoping that one or many of the things I’ve learned will help you out.

1. 1/4” Seam Allowance – Please take the time and learn this technique. You can read more about the 1/4” seam allowance.
2. Using The Seam Ripper Correctly – Jack the Ripper is what I call my seam ripper. I didn’t know that I was using it wrong all these years!!! Know that ball that is on the shorter end? Well did you know if you want to cut the thread in a long line, that you put that ball underneath the line and just pull along that it will cut your thread while protecting your fabric from being cut. I normally just cut the 4^th thread and pulled the bobbin thread out and that was it. But if I sewed two squares wrong then I can just put that ball end underneath and thats so much faster!!
3. Changing The Needle –  ha ha ha, I didn’t know that I had to change the needle. I didn’t realize that the needle would become dull and not stay sharp at all!! What was I thinking? Either change your needle every 8 hours of piecing or with every new project.
4. Machine Messing Up – Rethread! Rethread! Rethread! This is a quick, easy step and should be the first step to do if your machine is not sewing correctly.
5. Buy Extra Fabric – Yes you have my permission! Lol I didn’t like following a pattern, making a mistake, and then finding out that I couldn’t fix the issue because I didn’t have enough of the fabric!! Eliminate your frustration and buy extra. We all have UFO’s and fabrics go out of season, so please get enough so that when you go back to that UFO that you will have enough fabric to finish it if you make a mistake.
6. Keep Scraps – I would throw all scraps away!!! Yes long strips of 5” or that pesky 2” square, I would just toss. But now I have a scrap bucket and I go through it once a month and see what other squares can be cut from it or yes throwing them away unless I know of someone that uses scraps and send it their way. I also keep the batting scraps that I cut off quilts…I use them for my practice quilts.
7. Set The Seams – This is a helpful step and should not be skipped, unless it just doesn’t work for you because you’ve tried it out. Check out my “Set Your Seams In Just 3 Simple Steps” post.
8. Chain Piecing – I love this quick and simple step! You just keep on piecing until you have no more to do! Check out my “Chain Piecing” post for more information.
9. Quilting Is Like A Puzzle – I don’t know if you think of quilting in this way, but I do. I like to look at a pattern and see how I can make it easier and simpler. How I can make short cuts that cut my time down.
10. Don’t Get Frustrated – I used to get frustrated when my piecing didn’t match up or my points were cut off or if I made a mistake and didn’t see it til the entire quilt was put together and quilted! I read once that the Amish would make a mistake in their quilts because they (we) are not perfect and only God was.

How long have you been quilting? Any tips you would like to share with us?