I recently completed a Hunter's Star quilt top, and from it I learned (actually, reinforced what I already knew):

1. SLOW DOWN! Take my time to cut and sew accurately, and hey, maybe enjoy the creative process a little more!

2. Press...don't iron. And handle the pieces gently, especially bias edges.

3. Take breaks! When you start to get frustrated or bored with a project, put it aside and do something else. Maybe just for an hour, maybe for a month. But take a break for however long it takes to get back to enjoying the project.

Donna

My largest (24"x36") cutting mat has become so grooved that my rotary cutter skips a thread or two when I'm cutting. Very irritating. When I was cutting small pieces, I should have used one of my smaller mats. That way, my larger, more expensive mat would have lasted longer. Now I have to replace my big mat and my smaller ones are almost perfect.

Something else I just noticed - the back of my Olfa mat appears to have the same surface as the front. They could have printed the graph on both sides, thereby giving us two mats for the price of one. We wouldn't have to replace them as often, but it would be a great marketing tool. But maybe the printing is the most expensive part of the process. I don't know - just the ramblings of my mind.

Check my bobbin more often.

It's really ok to change the blade on the rotary cutter more often.

All good points!

I never thought about the mat being the reason my blade skips a thread or 2, maybe it's time to soak my mat. It seems like I'm changing blades a lot more than I ever did before. Thanks for that info!

How many of us use the markings on the front as cutting guides? I rarely do, as I use my rulers for measuring. So the back of my mat can be used when the front gets worn.

Don't know what I have learned recently except that when you are (I am) in a blue funk, don't try cutting anything. It just doesnt work.

Theresa

Always use the same ruler for a project. Buy extra fabric.

I have learned not all jelly rolls are equal. I have used Moda jelly rolls with no problems. I am using a Northcott Stonehenge set and have had nothing but problems. The quilt I am making says it is for all levels of quilters, including beginners. I don't consider myself a beginner and I am having a terrible time with this quilt. I have come to the conclusion it is the fabric strips. The strips are not all the same size. Because I am sewing them at an angle, it impacts the outcome because of the size difference.

I will never buy a Stonehenge set again no matter how beautiful the fabric! Sorry for the long rant!

All good suggestions. Keep a notebook with the measurements of all your quilts, especially the one you're currently working on. I measure and remeasure over and over because I can't remember anything and I never really work from an official pattern. (I forgot about turning the mat over when using your ruler instead of the lines. Thanks.)

Dull blades will destroy your matt. Keep a sharp blade in your rotary cutter!

V. Another learning experience for you, but in the long run, now you'll be able to start looking at a pattern and pretty much determine if you have the time to make that type of block or not. Or, if you even 'want' to take the time to make it. It's also a good thing to try out a new technique for various blocks so we can determine what works best for us. I took your hint about HST's like Bonnie uses and now prefer it. I even use it on the 'flip and sew' components........sure saves on making more scraps and trimming.

V. Forgot to say I like your quilt! :-)

V. I really, really like your quilt. So much so, I might steal those borders for my quilt, if that's okay with you. I can not find fabric (in the right colorway) for my borders, but this type of border might work.

Thank you, but there's nothing to steal...just make yourself a boatload of HST, and 100 or so of flying geese, depending on the size of your geese, and sew away!