🙅🏼 My BAD QUILTING HABITS - WHY AND HOW I FIXED THEM

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I have had to correct some bad habits over the years and unfortunately I am still working on many more. I hope that you can have laugh at my expense.. Save 20% on your first Native purchase! Click here bit.ly/nativegetitdonequilts and use my code GETITDONEQUILTS #AD

[@cherylwilliams3936]

Pressing piano ironing thanks for making this simple 4 me - bessings to the fam

[@glendastaples9536]

Didn't find where to add comment, so will add it here. Looks like you are doing well with your weight loss. Looking thinner.🎉

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

@@cherylwilliams3936 Hi Cheryl. Glad you are home safe and sound

[@evagronroos2589]

So, as always a great video! But, what do you do if the quilt top you just made is quite simply "not right"?

[@lizmattina6515]

“Life is too short to make projects that don’t bring you joy.” Best quilting quote ever! I know just the fabric that needs to go.

[@susananderson8428]

The pace I managed when I was working, mothering, being a wife, along with my extracurricular activities like church, cub scout, and girl scout leader is not the pace to find enjoyment in retirement! I loved all I did when I was younger, and I love being busy with my grandkids, but I think I'm beginning to enjoy the things I've always done "for fun" so much more because I'm finally taking the time to enjoy the experience.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Hear hear

[@laurajerbi9818]

Oh my gosh yes…I too had loads of fun with my kids in school and their scouts and church programs and my own church activities and phew, thank goodness I was younger then. Now…working part time and really enjoying the slow going sewing a quilt making process.

[@BEVERLYRANDOLPH-lx4qu]

Karen, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. What I love about your channel is the supportive tone your videos convey. I identified with all of these; but I try to remind myself that it’s the actual process that gives me joy-and fills my bucket 😀-so slowing down and being IN the process is a gift to myself. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and experiences with such concern and care!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It's amazing how hard you can resist changing. And when you do, you wonder why you took so long 🤗

[@marylourimmasch4301]

My son took pictures of all the quilts I had given him as well as the quilts I had given his four siblings and made them into a photo album for my birthday. Since then I take pictures of my quilts so I can remember them. I give them all away.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Great son you have

[@teresabradberry4219]

That is a special present

[@rebeccacole4344]

I love the idea of taking a photo every time you sew, not just the finished product.

[@christinekirkpatrick5400]

Me too!!

[@kathleenpriestman553]

Exactly. - I mean, I can always edit (delete) some pictures if I want to simplify the story, later - but you can’t TAKE the pictures later!

[@FoD1975]

Thank you! The best decluttering advice I’ve heard - “it’s not about whether something is good or bad, it’s about whether it’s right for you” - brilliant! Takes the guilt right out of it, and there’s always someone who’s glad to have what you don’t want! 😊🤗 Deb x

[@mojosbigsticks]

My bad habit is also watching videos instead of getting on with the project!

[@RestfulLearning]

Doh! I’m caught red-handed!

[@CraigsOverijse]

What I love about your channel is not only do you not try and sell me a project you designed or fabric but you are also honest about your mistakes. I am not saying there is not a place for those selling their designs but if you live outside North America a lot these are expensive to ship.

[@lindap8544]

Karen, I’ve been a quilter for 3 years and I make what I calL A memory quilt every year! These quilts have a block made out of scraps from each quilt I’ve made. The first year was 2-1/2” squares the second was little houses and trees and the one I just finished was from the Scrappy Sampler book. This year I’ll be making an orange peel. These are the quilts I absolutely will not give away.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Keep them close

[@ru4repeattoo]

4:59 "Because it's not a judgement of whether things are good or bad, it's whether they're right for you. Because life is too short to be making projects that don't bring you joy!" Beautiful words to live by. Thank you. 🤩😇😍

[@tonitoland]

Speed! Love/hate relationship. As a new-ish quilter, I’ve begun to sort of “evaluate” the process and find myself saying at each step “this is my favorite part.” I’ve come to realize that ALL the steps - selecting the design, colors, fabrics, cutting, ironing, piecing, ironing again, quilting and yes, even binding (I always sew the back by hand, because I also enjoy hand stitching), are equally satisfying - which is wonderful and keeps me from skipping important mini-steps like setting a seam and finger pressing. But then I’m stuck with wanting to “just get it done” so I can start the next project (speed), so by the end of each part of the process I either procrastinate or start rushing…

[@melissaragland1096]

Thank you so much for this! I used to be a speed demon when I was a new quilter. Now 15 years and who knows how many quilts later, I have a different approach. Now I’ve realized I’m a great starter but not such a great finisher. I counted, and I have 14 projects going! And for no good reason! I’m like Dory on finding Nemo. Look over there! I have to have that kit. Look over there, I can do that KZbin project etc! I’m resigned not to start any others until I finish one. I also struggle at my longarm. My ruler work is more wobble than line, so there is yet another reason to procrastinate. I enjoy you videos and practical advice, and your sense of humor! It can’t be easy to open yourself, home, and family up to us and you do so gracefully to illustrate a point and help us out.

[@marcellacoblentz8433]

Oh, my , I am a Dory too🤣

[@angieallen4884]

"Get rid of it if you are not going to use it!" In a recent conversation with my daughter about clearing out her father-in-law's stuff after he passed away, she requested that my sewing room be as supply free as possible before I die! So, when our church asked for "ribbon and washy tape" for girls' camp, I donated all of it! If I need a specific ribbon, I will buy it for that project, not wait for a project to show up to use the product! It was so freeing! My next declutter will have that goal for my daughter in mind. Not that I expect to check out any time soon, but I will have planned projects for what is on hand!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I think we have to think that way. Or at least have them understand why things are valuable enough to stay

[@pattweimer9268]

Oh yeah. You & daughter have a great relationship. The "don't leave me in up to my neck " is what my family has always done. As much as possible, thankfully. I've made/ left instructions for everything to be sent to dump or recycled. No one wants or will use anything. As an antique dealer, quilter, rug hooker, knitter, i have lots. 1 son had a large burn pit, most will go there. Where I now live I have found no one with the same interests, not a particularly friendly area. I've been told I have to have & use a computer to have/makes. Don't know how to use, so don't have one. My son talked me into getting laptop thing. Never figured out how to charge it. Have had 4 lessons how to turn on. Couldn't figure out the manual. I gave up & threw it out. Everyone in family has 1, so didn't want it. I gave up on the idea of making connections in area. I have a full day every day. I'm content. Thanks for the "rant", opportunity. Have a good day & life. Good quilting.

[@Cathy_MidwestHome_Hens]

I’m listening to this while painstakingly, somewhat patiently, putting 150 pins in this quilt sandwich for my newest granddaughter ❤ (PS-an experienced quilter lady told me if anyone is critiquing a quilt to find tiny issues, then they don’t deserve to have it. That comment has lifted some burdens from me. I’m so hard on myself!)

[@Hiker_who_Sews]

I especially applaud the "slow down" message. I know several talented sewists who focus on charity quilts, and it's all about quantity. I know "finished" is better than "perfect", but If a person has skills why wouldn't that be part of the gift? When I distribute the quilts, I see that there are stockpiles, so I know that quilters are indeed a generous bunch with caring hearts.

[@MicheleLeonard-j3p]

I take pictures of my quilts too., except I bought one of those Picture Frames that automatically rotate. The frame sits next to me on a table and as I turn occasionally I can see the quilts go by ….. LOVE IT!!!!

[@VickiB-k1s]

Yesterday while binding a child's quilt our guild will give away, I was rushing and wondered why am I speeding through this. I'm retired and thus, I like to take my time now to enjoy the process. When I am in my sewing room, I am feeling blissful so why would I want to rush through joy? I want to take the time with every task. I'm retired now and there's no production to meet so I was very happy when you mentioned to avoid speeding. Thanks for the excellent tips. I am new to quilting and enjoy your channel much. Thanks for sharing.

[@ShirleyDeeDesigns]

I usually don’t journal, but when I started quilting in 2012 I kept one to keep track of everything I learned while making each quilt. It’s interesting to note that it was my mistakes that taught me the greatest lessons and occasionally reading that journal over the last decade kept me from repeating the same mistakes! I also take a picture of each quilt and it’s a nice feeling to see all that my sewing machine and I have accomplished.

[@teenaray8084]

I don't know what it is, or why it is, but I love your voice and your expressions. But those are secondary to your list that hits me and makes me raise my hand and say, "Yep, that's me, too." I hope you never stop making videos! ❤

[@sandragrow771]

Karen, I've had these self threading needles for years, but never considered putting one by my longarm machine. Wow. Game changer! I buried my threads immediately instead of marking my troublesome areas with a pin and searching them out later. I was thrilled to take a quilt off my machine and know that all that was left was the binding. Thanks for the awesome strategy for immediate results!

[@sherryconroy3507]

Oh my goodness! The phrase ‘Close enough’ is one I use way too often. Thank you for inspiring me to break this bad habit!

[@nicolab2081]

I have tried a million different ways to get the perfect quarter inch seam because I've been quilting for decades. The one that I have finally settled on is the Perfect Piecing Seam Guide by Perkins Dry Goods, I drop the needle through the hole and use the edge of the ruler to line up a painter's tape guide.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I think one needs to realize that the ¼” seam is a moving target. It depends on your fabrics, the angle you sew at, lighting, even humidity. That is why there is no one size fits everything

[@nicolab2081]

​@@JustGetitDoneQuilts I think I've been lucky then, my fabrics are all good quality quilting brands so handle uniformly, the angle I sew is set by the painter's tape in line with the ruler and my quarter inch foot, I use touch to line the fabric with the painter's tape so lighting is fairly irrelevant and I'm in Ireland so temperature and humidity don't vary much.

[@bobbinwithbrittany]

I slow down more over time, especially seeing how much more joy I get returned in a longer construction process. Extra motifs, buried threads, hand finished binding are sparks that never end.

[@marybeth4002]

Glad to hear you are putting labels on your quilts now. We might not think much about it while in the moment, however, in time it's such an important part of our history.

[@jmur8784]

I've stopped saving selvages and little balls of yarn, too. Thanks for sharing your laundry list of bad habits and how you have corrected them!

[@bethliebman8169]

Great ideas here. I resonated with your lament of not taking pictures of my finished items. I am mainly a knitter, so I now make a project page in Ravelry and take those pictures just after it comes off the blocking boards.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

smart

[@KnitzyKitzy]

Ravelry is so handy for keeping records of your work!

[@barbartsweden]

I make Shutterfly photo books of my finished quilts. Those donated ones we will never see again. It is fun to look back and remember what you have done!

[@trudywolcott7419]

My first quilt teacher was not a fan of pinning and sewing the blocks, shall I say, accurately. I remember her saying, “look at the speed of this assembly” when showing off a student’s quilt. I thought no pinning was a goal. Thankfully, I was introduced to the Sally Collins quilting method. Now I’m a confident quilter pinning and accurate (as possible). Ms. Collins has a dvd and paperback book detailing her methods. Highly recommend them.

[@karens1967]

I've been making quilts for 30 years. After reading your comment, I figured, yeah maybe I SHOULD start paying more attention to my 1/4 inch seams. So I looked up Sally Collins and I ordered her book Master Precision Piecing from Thriftbooks. So, we'll soon see! Thanks! (I love Karen Brown's channel.)

[@happywanderer6307]

I came to quilting very late in life; I was about 65. I currently live in a place where it's a big part of the religious community that I am not a part of. In the little shop in my town, the first few times I went in, all the women wanted me to do is join their group and talk about kids, grandkids and husbands. No, thank you. I have husband but not those other things. So, I had to teach myself using videos like this. I learned a lot and then I found a shop the next town over and was in quilting heaven! The shop owner and her staff taught me so much and because I listened, I have avoided long term bad habits. I have also learned what I'm terrible at (like cutting - even after a class) and I just pay someone to do it for me., I will say I'm persistent. You mentioned just setting aside a project that wasn't making you happy. I do that. I always go back to it but I refuse to work on something that frustrates me. Sometimes we just need to step back for a while and do something else. You mentioned slowing the machine speed for thicker fabric or seams. I do that, too. I also test my seams before I sew. That quarter inch is a killer sometimes! I have pictures of every single one I've made just because I like to look at them and remember how good I felt when it was done. I listened to you when you said we don't have to keep every scrap thinking we'll use it. I use bigger pieces for testing seams, patterns, etc. That heart on my machine looks cute but on fabric? Not so much. I no longer feel guilting for tossing that stuff. Anyway, keep those videos coming.

[@carmenbailey1560]

My self threading needles are the best quilting find. I’ve made a promise to myself one quilt at a time, complete and labeled. Thanks for your list. 👍❤️😊

[@TheKjoy85]

I'm new to quilting and a relative novice when it comes to sewing, but I'm learing. I've been thinking about labels for my upcoming quilts. My first one is just for me, but the next 3 are for specific people and I don't want them to be completely lost to time. Part of me wants to just order some generic labels, so that I don't have to worry about it. The other part of me wants to combine some of my new and rediscovered skills to create special labels for these quilts. When I'm not in my craft room either sewing or painting, I'm sitting on the couch doing some sort of needlework, such as cross-stitch or sashiko. I find my needlework projects to be quite meditative and something I can do while watching TV in the evenings.

[@angelatruly]

Thank you for the trick with labels. I thought it was just me.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I am so glad now I am putting them on. My recipients seem to like them too.

[@bsturkie3313]

Hi, Karen. Your inspirational videos are a gift of the heart. You are my “go -to” quilt KZbinr when my quilt “mojo” needs a jumpstart. So your excellent habit of graciously sharing your encouraging and well presented experience is very appreciated by me!!!!(and countless others.) please continue this habit.🌻❣🌻😄

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you ❤️ I really appreciate you saying such nice things. Makes the hard work worth the effort 🤗

[@tiffanycollier54]

I have already slowed down my quilting, results are much better and process becomes more relaxing! I've done enough "punching a clock", decided I wasn't going to anymore!! But, I have to get on board with the pictures and labels!! Thank you!!

[@scrappyquilter102]

You put your finger on my objection to long arm quilting. Lovely to see you taking the time to quilt in accordance with the design of the piecing, rather than an all-over computer-designed (blah- boring) stitch-o-gram completely unrelated to the quilt. At craft shows I have seen so-called "hand-made, quilted placemats" created this way, just one big hunk of fabric cut into placemat size after the long-arm program quilting is completed. From my point of view as a quilter, it's embarrassing.

[@anitajonsson4379]

Hi Karen, You have such a kind, encouraging, self - respecting, and positive communication style. I have needed this life lesson for longer than I care to admit. My mother was an elementary school teacher for 32 years. I know she tried to teach me but sadly I would not listen despite the wonderful example she set for me. Whenever she would come to visit me and my children, she always got to work somewhere in my home. She had such good intentions. After her visit was over and she was on her way home, somewhere in my home I would discover a place of precision and order that looked beautiful. I loved the gift but just told myself I had no time to do things her way. Now that my Mother, my Grandma, and all of my Aunts (all beautiful seamstresses and quilters) have all passed away, I miss them and especially my Mother. I did not learn how quilt, but truly loved the quilts given to me. For over a year now I have been watching quilting tutorials but have yet to actually make one. I am so so glad I listened to this tutorial. Putting your great advice into practice will ensure that I can look forward to loving the quilts I make and them being nice enough to give as gifts! ❤❤❤❤

[@pamahlvers4790]

Thanks for letting us feel okay about getting rid of some of the quilt “baggage”!

[@mariavaldez7147]

Thanks for the label suggestion. Usually it is the last thing I sew on. I have tried writing labels with markers, but the ink runs, so I just take a little piece of Aida and create a simple cross stitch label. Just simply name and finished date. You're right. By the time you finish the binding exhaustion hits.

[@markwagner4909]

I take pictures from start to finish for each quilt From fabric selection to binding. I take a picture of the pattern if I used one as the cover page in a book a make for the recipient I call it birth of a quilt Care instructions And detailed descriptions for each photo. It’s seems to be appreciated

[@kathleenpriestman553]

Great idea!

[@honhi96825]

I’ve been having fun quilting each block differently. It helps me increase my quilting skills (because you can screw up up and no one will notice that one block) and allows me to be creative. I usually pull out Angela Walters books to get inspiration, especially to determine what to put in the triangles or squares. I let the block speak to me to know what design I should quilt in it.

[@barbaraness4507]

Photos of your hard work creations are so important! Even before I got very good at crafting/sewing I was taking pictures of my finished projects. One time I made a beautiful red coat for my granddaughter, and I was so proud of how it turned out! Unfortunately I didn’t take a picture , and unfortunately I don’t think there are any pictures of her wearing it. When it started getting too small for my granddaughter her mother got rid of it without my knowledge!!! Later when I asked my granddaughter where it was she told me the bad news. I had spent so much time on the coat making sure it’d be as close to perfect as possible, and I had nothing to show for it 😢

[@jenn_nield]

I can totally relate to most of your bad habits. It is a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the process of what you enjoy about making quilts. Thank you for making this video. ❤

[@dbledni]

Hi Karen - the burying threads as you go along with self threading needles is a great idea, u gave before. I have incorporated it in my daily quilting and it is GREAT! THANKS!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you could use it

[@angelikaimnaehglueck]

4:09 selvages are perfect to bind tomatoes.

[@StitchedBySusan]

Karen, this is such a GREAT episode!

[@terrihasstedt5855]

There's a great use for salvages, I use them to wrap around rolls of bindings, or scraps 2 1/2 wide strips or 1 1/2 wide strips or to keep together a bunch of 2 1/2 squares, or 5 inch squares. All neat and tidy.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Good idea. Thanks for sharing

[@jaclynramsier5271]

I can REALLY feel the idea of never seeing quilts again. I have had friends mention quilts I have made them. It is a family heirloom and part of their lives. They think of me when they see it, and I have completely forgotten about it. I was in a rush (usually trying to catch a baay's due date!) to finish and ship off and as much love as went into the project, I dont even remember it. Having a special folder in your phone or archive for quilt pics makes them easier to look back on over time. Always crazy when you see a quilt at a friends and say "how lovely!" And they say "you made that..." hahaha

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤭

[@juliaagnes7]

Interesting about WWII quilts. I never added a label. I will watch that video and add labels going forward. Thanks!😊

[@ginaolive4853]

Regarding making labels, I recently included some extra scrap fabric from the quilt front and appliquéd it in a heart shape to the label. It was adorable!! I wish I could include pics with this comment.

[@ЕленаБогатырева-д2р]

С большим удовольствием использую ваши советы . Иногда пересматриваю их по несколько раз. Спасибо за ваш труд!

[@untitled1234-n8d]

I'm working on my first quilt. I really like the idea of making a label for the quilt. I inherited several quilts from my husband's family, and no one knows who made them. I wish they'd put in a label so I can think of them when we use the quilt.

[@jennystrahley927]

"Be Kind to Yourself," love it! I've had to break some of the same bad habits. :-) Thanks for all the great tips that you always provide.

[@RebeccaTreeseed]

I worked in high stress law firms, speed required, with accuracy! Took me a couple years to drop that! I am on my first slow epp hand sewed hexagon quilt designed by ME. I am enjoying it very much and picked cross stitching back up too.

[@suzisaintjames]

If you find a white strip as shown in 3:49, use a permanent marker to color it. (Don't know if it's permanent? It should smell of rubbing alcohol. You can also wash it in the machine, place a safety pin next to it, because if it's washable ink, it will disappear and you'll look and look for a mark that was washed out.) In this case, any color blue would be better than white but do your best to color match. Just be sure it's permanent ink. 💖🌞🌵😷

[@barbaraness4507]

Interestingly enough I have many of the same “bad habits “ that you do. The book you showed looks like one I need to read for sure! I have at least 4-5 bad habits that I’d like to get rid of this year, with the biggest one being my excess accumulation of craft/sewing supplies! I’ve also got a collection of plastic containers that I need to use, or discard The fact is that unless something is really unique I can always get the appropriate container when I’m ready to start a project.

[@sr69511]

I love that the longarm quilter I use takes photos and will share them on line (with permission of course!) I never took pictures before and so grateful she does!

[@stitchann]

You are so right about many of the mistakes we have made. I identify with quite a few of the same ones that you overcame. I had a featherweight sewing machine given to me over 20 years ago. I was so excited. Over those twenty years I sent it to be serviced twice although I never used it. I finally realized that just because others may covet this machine I don't have to. If I don't want to sew on this machine, I should not feel guilty. So I sent it off to auction.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Smart 👏👏👏

[@allieshepherd7860]

Amazing I found this video today. I am in the process of cleaning out old fabric, some of which is older than my daughter (who is 42). I decided that what I'm not gong to use, I'll get rid of - to the local donation center, or to the trash. No one wants my old fabric, I tried. I feel lighter already. Thank you.

[@dianecarlson2918]

I LOVE YOUR DOG!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Mando has been with my parents for a couple of days. Missing him badly

[@angiemcdermid4845]

I’m so new I didn’t even know these were mistakes. But some of them I have learned from my knitting. I need to start at the beginning with consistent 1/4 inch seams.

[@sttngf]

Clearly I did not learn about burying threads in my quilting classes. What threads are you burying. Plus I love the idea of self threading needles. Last, when I cut selvedges, and they are long enough, I use them to tie the quilt bundle if I’m giving it as a gift.

[@manuelashannon1369]

Always nice to have a new video. Your videos and tutorials are what has made me better. You’re right on all those points. Thank you.

[@vickismith9912]

I quilt for other people abit , and tucked threads after wards to TV shows, so tedious, try to have comedies on...lol. this is a great tutorial

[@brit1945]

I like the part about slowing down I felt like I was always in such a rush to sew. Now I just think this is the part I like this is the part I enjoy and be mindful of staying in the moment there is no rush to get this quilt done❤

[@wandawalker4191]

Tou are so encouraging and positive while being direct. I appreciate your transparency!

[@scrappyquilter102]

Hard to throw out the old wooden spools of thread from my grandmother's sewing box. The poor old box is falling apart but I still cling to it. I have been "parting with" one old spool at a time. Its an incremental process...

[@chrishall4871]

I work in manufacturing and care for my husband who suffered a stroke a little over 10 years ago. Even with being away from home over 13 hours a day, sometimes working on Saturdays too, I still try to do about 40 minutes of anything in my sewing studio (bedroom with a sewing machine) everyday. Most days it’s just to turn the tv on and watch what I want to watch. But other times I have my 2”x3.5” rectangles and stitch them without thinking about it. They’re easy to handle, don’t take up any room and don’t have to be pressed and fiddled with if I don’t want to. They go in an empty K-cup box and it is hidden away on the floor so I don’t have to look at a crappy cardboard box when I walk in the room.

[@itcouldbeanyone]

I post photos of my quilts on Facebook so I have a timeline of my quilts, and the cats usually end up in the shots

[@conniegreen4337]

Making the label when the top is finished is a great idea! I think of the label as the quilt's genealogy- its name, who made it where & when.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Very true

[@midgethorn4083]

I just love your common sense about everything.

[@connieking9873]

I enjoy and get something(multiples) out of every video. We only need to satisfy ourselves but being our worst enemy we gravitate to our mistakes or as I like to call them Changes in the pattern. I think it was April Story who I first heard that one first. We need to say this is my quilt or block and I love it and stop right there. Habits they say only takes 21 days to change. I am going to work on my habits a little harder

[@cyndiaden9624]

Thank you for this !! I never think my quilts are good enough ! I made one for my mom and when it came time for me to care for her , she used it all the time and looking at it I thought wow that does look really nice 😅😊

[@farkiemacd]

My bad habit that I'm finally fixing: following patterns exactly. I LOVE Elizabeth Hartman quilts, but there are a lot of her quilts that just don't work for me, size-wise. I realized this when I brought a boxload of unquilted tops (flimsies, but I hate that word) to a retreat and unloaded more than a dozen to a longarmer who donates quilts to a childrens charity. I just realized I'd never get them quilted because they just weren't a good size for what I like quilts for. Some you can just add more blocks to the top, or add another border, but some need a bit more thought. My goal last year was to make a couple of king-sized quilts for our bed, so I could have a handful I can swap around. I ended up figuring out pieced borders for some of the EH quilts I made, so I could make them fit our bed. I really enjoyed thinking about designs that would complement that pattern (plus it uses up many of the leftover scraps), and the results are very rewarding to me. I find myself approaching quilts/patterns in a completely different way now, and I end up with a quilt I'm much more invested in.

[@barbartsweden]

Great story!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👏👏👏

[@ritad673]

Thanks for the video, Karen. Love your hair. It's darling.

[@marijkeschellenbach2680]

So many bad habits I need to get rid off!!! Thanks for explaining why and how to do this Karen. By the way, you are looking absolutely fabulous these days!

[@906quilting]

I absolutely love your videos. You are an inspiration and share your common sense to quilt making with us amateurs. This sharing gives us hope for improvement and achieving better results as we quilt. Thank you.

[@lisaroper421]

I also have never been someone who wants to use the selvage.... Awesome thumb nail, btw!

[@AlaskaBrandy]

I am just starting quilting. But I can see how these would easily form. I will start from the beginning with labels and burying my threads.

[@bethkoch11]

I identified with many of these bad habits! For me personally, I would put one bad habit ahead of all the others, and that's buying more fabric. Sometimes I can't resist it, when I already have tons in my stash. The photos habit is also so important. When I started quilting, I never took pictures. Many of those quilts are gone now, and I would love to be able to look at them and remember. Now my phone is full of pictures of all my quilts in various stages of construction.

[@christinegarcia9093]

I sew for enjoyment and to keep my sanity. I love your videos and have learned so much from you. Thanks for all you do Karen.

[@TracyH-xu4dx]

Thank you - some of them I may never see them again. Photos perfect idea

[@patphares6258]

Wow! words of wisdom touching the hearts of many of us…. Excellent personal treatise in a relaxed and refreshing setting. ❤❤

[@marileemcpherson3478]

I understand about speed-I need to enjoy the process as well as the end result. It takes time (years!) to figure that out.

[@carolynwatts2942]

Karen, I have a major problem now with sewing. I can't get my mojo back. I have 6 pairs of PJ'S to cut out for my grandsons. I have 1 pair completed, 1 pair almost complete and 1 pair cut out and waiting to be sewed together. I have been on some medications for my health and can't concentrate on sewing, crocheting, and just finishing a whole lot of quilts to complete. Please help me figure out how to get back to doing things that I truly loved to do. I enjoy your videos and I just need a push to get off my seat and be productive. God bless you and thank you for sharing. 😊❤️

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You can only do what you can. We keep comparing ourselves to what we used to be. You have had some challenges. So try breaking the tasks into smaller chunks. Instead of cutting out all 6 pairs at once, have someone else cut the fabric and you just sew them together. Or find a hand sewing project to do the you can pick up and put done as needs be.

[@kimserio8317]

I haven't started quilting yet but I am looking for a quilting club around me. You gave us a very loving touch of history in this because I didn't know that quilts were made during that war and it was a very loving gesture from strangers.

[@malusantos1551]

Thank you, Karen ❤

[@gisellejones1139]

Takes a while to get so wise.Good tips Karen.😊

[@barbaralazier8352]

Some habits we can change, some we keep. I am off to a quilt Retreat on Sunday. Working on my various quilts is going to make way for visiting with my quilt friends. Yes i will pay more attention to an accurate seam 🎉 loved❤ this blog.

[@marygersetich8709]

Oh, yes, I can relate to several of those! I think the biggest one for me is to slow down and enjoy the process instead of rushing to get it done. In my mind I'm saying that I will do a really good job on the NEXT quilt, once this one is finished. I have a little sign that says "Pace, don't race" that I will make much bigger and attach it to my sewing machine!

[@juliemorrison4348]

Great tips Karen. I use a quarter inch foot on my Janome and never thought it was out but had to do check measuring with all those little pieces in last year's 100blocks100days quilt. Slowing down and checking was certainly worth it. I'm quickly finishing housework now so I can get 3 quilt tops loaded on the quilting frame and finished this weekend. Clearing my projects ready to start this year's 100blocks100days🤣. Love every image I see of your Maple and Eucalyptus quilt and excited for the start. All the best. 💗🇦🇺

[@TammyLeeW]

This. I do inspired me to be better at what I do.

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Ii need to purge my patterns. I have so many from a subscription that I will never make. It's one of the reasons I stopped the subscription. I love and still use many of the supplies I received, but, you're right, we grow as quilters and outgrow some of the things we acquire early.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

And I'm sure that there are beginners out there that will appreciate them. 🤗

[@bitspiecesquilting]

This is some excellent advice Karen, thanks! I too have a number of quilts "out in the wild" that I forgot to photograph (or was too lazy at the time). I make a point now to at least get some basic snaps before a project goes to its new home.

[@barbaradavis3805]

Had most of these! Still working on taking the finished pics, labels, and yes deciding on the quilting patterns. I almost always default to 'follow the lines on the quilt' and then decide part way in that I could have done this or that etc. Thanks for sharing!

[@cherylwilliams42]

I store my quilts rolled up. So, when I trim a long selvage, or any narrow piece of a long strip of fabric, it becomes what I use to tie my rolled quilt with.

[@cherylwilliams42]

And, I sew my label onto the backing before it is quilted so that it is quilted on to the quilt.

[@tombarrett3773]

Yes I'm sorry I haven't taken a picture of all my quilts. When I have remembered, I use the picture to give me ideas on how to quilt the new quilt. I also wish my label had the name of the pattern in case I wanted to repeat the pattern . My goal someday is to make a memory book with pictures of all the quilts I have made, and note the recipient. I must check my quarter inch seam more carefully. Thanks for your tips.

[@notesfromleisa-land]

Amen on the selvedge saving (and cutting).

[@bearteeka4782]

I would love to learn to make quilt labels. I'm a starter not a finisher. And I started learning on way too complex quilt blocks for my ability. But the super simple ones bored me. So I'm trying to find a balance. Looking forward to retirement with my 1955 Singer 201, such a joy to use.🧵🪡

[@svetlanabarshtein1783]

THOUSANDS " thank you " for your wondeful videous ! The best wishes !

[@rebeccatrombley6579]

I really enjoyed this video. You are a good teacher! Thanks:)