What I learned

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December 15th, 2014, 11:56 PM
Sonic

What I learned

My first quilt is done :icon_woohoo:
Pics are here- http://forum.missouriquiltco.com/sho...tml#post647408
And through this process I learned a few things that I thought I would share.

1. Hot irons and thumbs are not friends.
2. Sharp rotary cutters and said thumbs are also not friends.
3. A ¼” seam is a suggestion.
4. If your top thread disappears…check your bobbin because it probably ran out. :icon_doh:
5. An ironing board or waist high ironing surface is your friend. Three towels on the floor is your enemy.
6. Don’t overstretch flannel backing when making the quilt sandwich. It will pucker your already glued and basted sandwich when un-taped.
7. Spray baste rocks.
8. Spray baste does NOT rock after stuffing a full sized basted quilt through a 5 ½” throat space repeatedly. :(
9. Walking feet really ROCK!
10. Yep, walking feet still ROCK!. :icon_cool:
11. Your chin is good for something else besides holding loose skin. It’s a great place to tuck fabric while doing quilting yoga.
12. Borders breed like rabbits and will turn your lap sized quilt into a full size quilt if you don’t watch them very carefully. :0
13. “I just stitched in the ditch” is a very misleading comment that leads a reader to think it‘s easy or something.
13. And last but not least…now I know why people make mostly lap sized quilts. :lol:
December 15th, 2014, 11:59 PM
LRM

Re: What I learned

All lessons we have all had to learn at some point. I'm laughing out loud over quilting yoga and "just stitched in the ditch". As a relative newbie with machine quilting I TOTALLY understand those lessons.
December 16th, 2014, 12:14 AM
Carrie J

Re: What I learned

LOL, you forgot becoming fluent in a second, socially unacceptable language for Step No. 8 ;) And No. 11, yeah, got me on that one!
December 16th, 2014, 12:32 AM
coffeebreak

Re: What I learned

Yep.. and the best thing about it all? You won't be making those same mistakes EVER again! LOL!!! We've all been there.. welcome to our world!!!!!!
December 16th, 2014, 01:15 AM
LRM

Re: What I learned

I wish I only needed those lessons once! Some, especially socially unacceptable language, I keep "practicing"!
December 16th, 2014, 01:47 AM
Jean Sewing Machine

Re: What I learned

Great advice for all, especially about the SIZE of first quilts! I always cringe when a new quilter says " I want to make my first quilt for my king size bed". More than one comes back here saying, " Help! How do I quilt this thing?" Not fun to wrestle a huge quilt on a small machine!

Thanks for the tips! Hope your thumb heals!
December 16th, 2014, 02:39 AM
bscuzz

Re: What I learned

Can I add an addendum to #6 ". . . . . It will pucker your already glued and basted sandwich when un-taped." OR just cut whatever size flannel you need 1" smaller 'cause it grows while you're making your quilt!!!

At least mine did, all 168 10" squares (3 quilts) - imagine how much flannel I could have saved if I cut them all 9". If only I knew they were gonna 'grow' thru the process!!! :icon_surprised:
December 16th, 2014, 03:37 AM
auntiemern

Re: What I learned

Good lessons for all. After you have a dozen or so under your belt, you will laugh at all you learned on your first quilt. Don't let anyone, even those of us that have quilted for years, tell you they do not use their seam rippers regularly. We ALL still make mistakes.
December 16th, 2014, 03:47 AM
snippet

Re: What I learned

Awesome post! It's a good thing I wasn't drinking when I read your post because I would have splattered my laptop from laughing so hard. Every item on your list is so true.

fyi, I've downgraded quickly from queen size quilts to lap quilts and now I'm doing table runners! Next stop - placemats, then mug rugs! lol
December 16th, 2014, 04:01 AM
Gina

Re: What I learned

Congratulations Sonic! Your did a wonderful job on your first quilt! For some unknown reason # 4 happens to me a lot! lol
December 16th, 2014, 06:07 AM
Juliet Taylor

Re: What I learned

The number 1 is something I should try to remember more often while ironing but I keep forgetting, darn!!
December 16th, 2014, 07:04 AM
share60

Re: What I learned

love it love itxxxxlol
Shareen
December 16th, 2014, 07:09 AM
share60

Re: What I learned

Sorry should have added that I am a unpicker proffesionalxxxx
December 16th, 2014, 08:42 AM
shirleyknot

Re: What I learned

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Great advice for all, especially about the SIZE of first quilts! I always cringe when a new quilter says " I want to make my first quilt for my king size bed". More than one comes back here saying, " Help! How do I quilt this thing?" Not fun to wrestle a huge quilt on a small machine!

Thanks for the tips! Hope your thumb heals!

Ahhhhh, the joy of hand quilting.......................
December 16th, 2014, 08:47 AM
SF Jen

Re: What I learned

How about the one about half-square triangles. There seems to be an infinite number of ways to mess them up.
December 16th, 2014, 09:30 AM
LRM

Re: What I learned

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jean Sewing Machine

Great advice for all, especially about the SIZE of first quilts! I always cringe when a new quilter says " I want to make my first quilt for my king size bed". More than one comes back here saying, " Help! How do I quilt this thing?" Not fun to wrestle a huge quilt on a small machine!

Thanks for the tips! Hope your thumb heals!

My very first quilt was a quilt-in-a-day log cabin, king-sized. However, it was hand quilted. My grandmother helped. The stitches that are too big, overlapping, and sometimes off course are the most cherished. I would never, ever attempt that on a machine, but it filled her basement for a month or more while we quilted it. My love of quilting started right there!
December 16th, 2014, 09:54 AM
PatPitter

Re: What I learned

Congrats on your first quilt. Be sure to label it and put some pictures in a scrapbook.

Did you also learn your seam ripper is a good friend? :)
December 16th, 2014, 12:10 PM
BobW

Re: What I learned

Frogs are our friends! And no I don't mean Kermit. I am well qualified to use the ripper. Rip-it Rip-it.
December 16th, 2014, 12:13 PM
Amy R

Re: What I learned

Congratulations!!! I'll be looking at the quilt thread next!! LOL on #11 !!!!
December 16th, 2014, 01:33 PM
klgls

Re: What I learned

Thanks for the laughs today - I can so relate!!!!
December 17th, 2014, 12:20 AM
Sonic

Re: What I learned

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrie J

LOL, you forgot becoming fluent in a second, socially unacceptable language for Step No. 8 ;) And No. 11, yeah, got me on that one!

Um, that's because I'm already fairly fluent in piratese, although not in front of kiddo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by snippet

Awesome post! It's a good thing I wasn't drinking when I read your post because I would have splattered my laptop from laughing so hard. Every item on your list is so true.

fyi, I've downgraded quickly from queen size quilts to lap quilts and now I'm doing table runners! Next stop - placemats, then mug rugs! lol

Yep, I'm coming to appreciate smaller quilts very quickly. Table runners, placemats and mug rugs are looking mighty good to me too!
December 17th, 2014, 12:25 AM
Angelia

Re: What I learned

I contend with #12--all the time--every quilt I make is bigger than the last!

Great lessons.
December 17th, 2014, 12:55 AM
easyquilts

Re: What I learned

Good lessons for everyone to be reminded of.... We've all been there, and fine that...

Thanks for a great post!
December 17th, 2014, 07:39 PM
pcbatiks

Re: What I learned

Sonic.........love your list of "things learned"! Too funny and true!