Quilting is a beautiful craft that combines creativity, patience, and skill. But like any art form, it comes with a learning curve. As a quilter, I’ve had my fair share of “aha!” moments, wishing I had known some of these quilting tips and tricks earlier. Much earlier.
When I was learning to quilt (I’m going to date myself here), there were no quilt shops. New fabric came from Penney’s, Woolworths, or House of Fabrics. Rulers and rotary cutters were many years away from being a thing. While my grandfather had taught me how to draft patterns and sew, quilting wasn’t in his repertoire. I was on my own, and my tools were dressmaking shears, mechanical pencils, and cardboard templates cut from Cornflakes cereal boxes.
Simple Advice to Make Your Quilting Journey More Enjoyable
I was thinking about my early days in quilting and thought I’d make a list of things that would have been really helpful to know back then. If you’re just starting out—or even if you’re an experienced quilter—these insights might save you some frustration and help you enjoy the process even more.
[1] Start Small and Build Confidence
I learned (the hard way) that tackling a large project right out of the gate is a recipe for frustration. Even now, as an experienced quilter, I make a test block before I cut up my fabric for the entire quilt. In the shop, my beginning quilting classes always started with a pillow cover, a place mat or a table runner. Why? These type of small project include all of the steps in making a bed-size quilting – just on a much smaller scale. Learning all the steps and the order in which they need to be completed is a huge confidence builder!
[2] Invest in Quality Tools
Using quality tools makes all the difference. Good tools can help you create a beautiful project, while poor quality tools will keep your focus (and your frustration) on the tools, rather than on your project. That being said, there are about a bazillion different quilting tools available to quilters. What does a new quilter really need to get started? Here’s what I recommend:
- Rotary Cutter – It should fit your hand well and have a safety guard to prevent accidental cuts while you pick it up.
- Self-Sealing Cutting Mat (at least 12 x 18 but 24 x 36 is better if you have the space). Store them flat on a stable surface. Never leave a cutting mat in a car or a sunny window – even for a short time – they warp easily.
- Iron – with a smooth soleplate and tiny steam holes. Soleplates with larger holes will catch the edges of the small, cut pieces of fabric – and drive you nuts.
- Acrylic Rulers. I recommend that new quilters start with a 24” ruler and a 6-1/2” x 121/2” ruler. These two rulers should have easy to ready markings and can be used in combination with each other.
- A Seam Ripper – that fits comfortably in your hand. These do wear out and need to be replaced periodically.
- Fabric Scissors. A small pair of scissors for cutting small shapes and trimming threads and a full size pair of scissors for cutting fabrics.
[3] Choose Fabrics Wisely
Choosing the right fabrics for the right project is essential to being happy with the end result. Here’s an example, I’m quite happy to use bargain fabrics for costumes and other projects where price is a concern and the use of the project is temporary.
If I’m making a quilt, I’ve become much more selective and choose the best quality I can find, at the best price. I want the fabric to be easy to work with and I want the project to last. Does that mean that price doesn’t matter? Absolutely not. Every quilt shop have a sale section, stocked with beautiful fabrics and it’s a great place to find a treasure for the next project. I have also been shopping online at Keepsake Quilting and Connecting Threads – both run online specials on top of the line quilting cotton fabrics all the time.
[4] Either Pre-Wash all Your Fabrics – or Don’t
That sounds a little ambiguous, I know. This is a BIG topic of discussion for lots of quilters – and I wrote an article about it: To Pre-Wash Quilting Fabric (or not) – That is the Question.
The bottom line is this:
- If you are using a fabric from your stash that is pre-washed, pre-wash all of the other fabrics you are going to use in the quilt, so they shrink at the same rate in the finished quilt.
- If none of the fabrics in your quilt have been pre-washed, the choice to pre-wash or not is up to you.
- That being said, Test, test, test to make sure that none of the fabrics you plan on using in the quilt – bleed when soaked in water. If you test, and there is no bleeding, you could be safe in skipping the pre-washing. If there is bleeding, pre-washing until the bleeding stops is necessary. More about how to deal with bleeding fabrics in the article I mentioned earlier.
[5] Master the 1/4 Inch Seam
An accurate 1/4 inch seam is an essential skill to master. From the clothes I had been making before I started quilting, I assumed that the seam allowance was the same in quilting – 5/8”. As you can imagine – those first quilts were a bit bulky. There are lots of tools and guides to make the accuracy of your seams more consistent. I’m currently using 2 tools in combination with each other to help keep my seams consistent:
[6] Press, Don’t Iron
My grandmother taught me how to iron. She was a perfectionist. Lots of steam, push the tip of that iron into every nook, cranny, and seam. Use a ham to form the shoulder of the shirt and leave it perfect with no folds or press marks in sight.
My grandmother was not a quilter. Using her ironing techniques on small cut pieces of fabric, a pieced quilt block or even yardage is a recipe for disaster. Why? All those raw edges get stretched out of shape with the back and forth motion of traditional ironing.
Pressing is an up and down motion with the iron, taking care not to push the fabric in any direction at all. This up and down pressing, and a little Best Press to stabilize the fabric, helps to keep the threads of the fabric (the warp and the weft) in place.
[7] Chain Piecing Speeds up the Block Assembly Process
Learning to chain piece changed my quilting life! Chain piecing involves sewing multiple blocks or pieces in a continuous chain without cutting the thread between each one. This saves time and thread while keeping your workflow smooth and organized. Once I’ve sewn all the units into a long continuous chain of pieces, I cut them apart , either with my small scissors or with the Thread Cutting Gizmo and they are ready for pressing.
[8] Use the Right Machine Needle for Your Project
At first glance it may look like all sewing machine needles are pretty much the same. Don’t be fooled. These tiny, sharp pieces of metal are precision designed for different fabrics and different tasks. Use the wrong needle with the wrong fabrics and all you’ll get is a mess. For all my piecing and quilting I tend to use a 90/14 Quilting Needle.
Another important point: Change your needle every time you start a new project. Why? The point of that needle does a lot of work – and over (a fairly short) time it gets nicked and dulled. Needles are not that expensive and changing it will save you a lot of frustration.
[9] Use Pins and Clips Generously
When quilt clips were introduced a few years ago as a partial replacement for pins, I was super excited. I had been using large paper clips to do the same tasks (securing binding as I stitched it on, grouping blocks together so I didn’t lose one (or all) of them, etc.). I find myself using these clips constantly in the assembly of my projects.
Quilting clips aren’t the right tool for every task and when I need to use pins, I prefer the Magic Pins that have a flat silicone head. They are easy to grab hold of, and they don’t melt when I run my iron over them.
Just like needles, pins get dull, bent or develop rough spots that can damage the fabric. They need to be replaced when whey become worn.
Don’t scrimp on the number of pins or clips you use. The more secure you have made the seam you are sewing, the easier it will be to sew accurately.
[10] Keep your Machine Clean and Oiled
A clean sewing machine is a happy sewing machine. Regularly clean out lint and dust, using a small brush or a hand held vacuum. Never used compressed air in your machine, it will blow the lint and bits of thread into places you can reach inside your machine.
Check your machines manual for how often and where to oil your machine. A drop is plenty, more is not better.
[11] Check Your Layout – Before Sewing Blocks Into Rows
Take time to lay out all your quilt blocks before sewing them together. This allows you to experiment with the arrangement and avoid any mismatched patterns or colors. A design wall or even layout out the blocks on your bed can help you see how all the blocks work together before you sew them into rows. You may find that you want to add (or remove) sashing strips and cornerstones, rearrange the layout or chang out the border fabric.
[12] Work in Good Lighting
When I was younger, I didn’t think all that much about lighting when I was quilting. As my skills grew, I started to realize how much easier it is to sew and quilt with great lighting. Another benefit, the right lighting can make it much easier to see the true colors of the fabric – super important when pulling fabric options to make a new quilt project.
[13] Don’t Rush The Binding – It’s a Design Element
I hear lots of quilters say that the binding is their least favorite part of making a quilt. I think of the binding as if it’s a pretty ribbon on a gift package. Sure the paper is beautiful – but the ribbon really sets it off and completes the presentation. Think creatively about your binding and take the time to apply it neatly, it will elevate the entire look of your completed quilt.
[14] Join a Quilting Community
The quilting world is full of supportive and knowledgeable people. Whether it’s a local guild, an online forum, or a small group of quilty friends, connecting with other quilters can provide inspiration, advice, and encouragement. While I often prefer to do my quilting alone in my own space, I’ve learned SO MUCH from hanging out with other quilters on a regular basis. Consider taking a class or two, going to a retreat or joining a group that works on quilts for donation. You’ll learn a lot and make a few new quilty friends along the way.
[15] Embrace Mistakes – There are no Quilt Police
Finally, remember that quilting is a journey, not a destination. Mistakes are part of the process and often lead to the most valuable lessons. Growth comes from trying out new skills, exploring new to you techniques, and continuing to learn. Don’t beat yourself up over points that don’t quite match up or a block that got turned the “wrong” way. If it bothers you, change it if you can. If not, call it a design feature and move on to the next project.
I hope these tips help! Happy Stitching!