12 Quilting Mistakes I Made as a Beginner and How To Avoid Them

Quilting inevitably involves making mistakes, but fortunately, these mistakes are valuable learning experiences. However, many errors can be avoided, that’s why I’d like to share some of mine with you! Some of these come from my early days of quilting, so if you’re just starting out, I hope you’ll find these tips helpful.

1. Not pre-washing fabric

2. Not starching and pressing fabric before starting the project

Starching helps with piecing accuracy by keeping the fabric stiff and less prone to distortion.

3. Squaring up blocks before assembling them into the quilt top

Trimming blocks to size, if the pattern does not specifically request this, is a mistake.

When sewing patchwork blocks, you may end up with blocks of different sizes. If your pattern says to square up the blocks to a specific size, follow that instruction. Otherwise, think twice before trimming your blocks.

If the difference is not too big (not more than 1/4” or 3/8” for larger blocks), it is OK to have blocks of different sizes!
If there are intersection points at the outside edges of the block, squaring up will alter the seam allowances and result in chopped-off points when piecing the blocks together.

To join blocks of different sizes, use lots of pins. Match the corners first, then any intersection points, and space the extra length evenly.

4. Wavy borders!

When adding borders to a quilt top, it is tempting to just cut a long strip of fabric (longer than your top), sew it on, and then trim it to size. This method is fast but not the most accurate.

While you may not notice the problem before quilting, after quilting, your quilt might end up with wavy borders that are bigger than the center. There are ways to minimize this after washing the quilt, but it is best to avoid this mistake.

The best way to calculate the length of the borders is:

• Measure the quilt top vertically at the left edge, right edge, and through the center. Average these measurements and use that size to cut the vertical borders. Sew them to the quilt top.
• Then measure the quilt top horizontally at the top edge, bottom edge, and through the center. Average these measurements and use that size to cut the horizontal borders.

4. Straight grain versus cross grain

Whenever it is possible, cut borders, binding, and sashing on the straight grain to minimize stretching.

When cutting pieces for a patchwork block, pay attention to the outside edges of the block. It is best to cut pieces so that those edges are cut on the straight grain.

5. Finger pressing versus pressing

Pressing after each seam of a block has advantages and disadvantages. Pressing may distort the blocks. If a block requires many steps (and many seams with lots of pressing), you may end up with pieces that don’t fit. The fix? Finger-press instead!

If you do press, avoid touching the edges that still need to be sewn, especially when dealing with bias edges.

Do not iron—press! Don’t make large back-and-forth motions like when ironing clothes. Instead, press by lifting the iron up and down, moving to the next area as needed.

Usually, I press only when the block is finished.

6. Quality of thread for piecing

I used to think that any thread would work for piecing, especially in the bobbin. However, after years of using cheap thread (saving my best thread for free motion quilting), I switched to Aurifil for piecing, both in the needle and the bobbin. What a difference! The seam is smoother and of better quality, the thread doesn’t break, and I don’t need to clean lint from the bobbin area as often.

7. Type of needles for quilting

If I run out of Jeans needles, I don’t even consider starting free motion quilting! The Topstitch needle makes a huge difference, but the Jeans needle is even better for this technique!

8. Piecing binding strips with straight seams instead of diagonal seams.

Not really the worst mistake; I’ve been guilty of this many times.

But when I take the time to piece the strips with diagonal seams, the result is worth the effort. The quilt’s edge is smoother, the binding lays flat, and it looks better overall.

Imagine the binding below stitched with straight seams!

9. Considering the seam ripper as the biggest enemy

I used to feel frustrated when I had to unpick stitches to correct mistakes. I disliked wasting time on undoing things. However, my perspective shifted a few years ago when I created a quilt for my book and another for a show. I had to unpick free motion quilting stitches due to uninspired choices.

For one quilt, it took me four hours to unpick what I had stitched in half an hour, and that wasn’t the worst experience! A few years later, I spent four days unpicking what I had quilted in four hours. I had to do this because the quilts were important. These experiences taught me lessons about patience and doing quality work.

Now, I’m not afraid to use the seam ripper. I see it as an opportunity to improve my work. Often, fixing a mistake with the seam ripper makes my work easier because leaving a mistake uncorrected can lead to even more serious errors.

10. Not Choosing Simple Patterns

Starting with a complex pattern can be overwhelming and frustrating for beginners. Here is how to avoid this:

• look for patterns labeled as “beginner-friendly”
• choose blocks with fewer pieces and straightforward construction
• choose to work with squares, rectangles, half square triangles rather than equilateral triangles or diamonds
• stay away from blocks with curves or Y seams.

11. Not Starting With Small Projects

Begin with small projects like table runners, placemats, pillows, or baby quilts before attempting larger quilts with intricate designs.

12. Perfectionism

As a beginner, without anyone nearby to offer even the smallest advice, I had to guess how perfectly everything related to quilting should be done. I strived to do my best, but I wasn’t always satisfied because I didn’t know if it met some standard of “acceptability.” This uncertainty led to perfectionism creeping into my quilting world.

Here are some questions I had in my mind during my initial months of quilting:

• How precisely should these points match? Is being 1/8” off too much? What about 1/16”?
• What imperfections are considered acceptable?
• What if I struggle with achieving even stitches in free motion quilting?
• How balanced should free motion stitching be?

I found myself questioning my work so much that it stopped being enjoyable.

Finding a friend who can both teach and encourage you is invaluable. It saves time and frustration. However, beware of friends who excessively criticize your work; such negativity is discouraging and unproductive. It’s best to avoid those friends. Your self-critique is sufficient.

Remember the saying: FINISHED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT!

If you want to keep this guide handy, download it below.

I hope these thoughts help some of you!
Happy sewing!

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