Claudia, I have watched this twice now and it hurts my heart to hear you describe your mistakes. I've been quilting for a few years now and none of my quilts are even close to perfection in any way, but when you point out the errors I just want to yell, '"don't tell anyone"...I understand why you are doing it, but I think everyone of them is beautiful {{}} and thanks for sharing....
Alas, I'm guilty of all of these mistakes and More in my quilting. I feel lucky just to get them finished! I'm always humbled when I watch these videos. Because the quilts featured online are so absolutely amazing and gorgeous I can't even begin to see a single imperfection. It seems overwhelming. But as of late I try to remember something I heard from some seasoned quilter: a flawed quilt Finished with imperfections errors or mistakes is better than the perfect quilt that's never made.
Thank you-Excellent tips! I've been quilting for 4 years, but made up my mind to start with small projects first, and thus haven't made a big quilt yet and still learning all the various blocks. I took a long time to get good at cutting! Baby blanket is my biggest, but loads of potholders, spec cases, bags, and more bags, mini quilts, pouches, cushions, etc. I'm very happy, I feel more ready now for larger and am doing a floor quilt out of big scraps , for our dog😀, my own design. I'm teaching grand daughters now and it's wonderful, all squares is the first for one, planned and sizes worked out by her. I wish I had looked at RUclips first but I'm loving my quilting journey. I still am guilty of not prewashing so I must start!!!
Thank you Claudia for the wonderful information. Life and quilting are continuous learning processes. As the saying goes, "nothing ventured nothing gained".
I rarely prewash. I do use a Color Catcher sheet when washing my quilts & haven't had any problems with fabrics bleeding. I also use the Color Catcher sheets when I wash a load of colored clothes. They are amazing!
That's good to know about the color catcher sheets. Maybe because I have had problems fabric bleeding I just am worried about using them. I do admit that I love the feel of fabric right from the store. It's so nice and crisp. Thanks for watching and for the color catcher suggestions.
Thank you, Claudia, for your honesty. I enjoyed hearing your comments. Every quilt tells a story, sometimes no one will ever know our thoughts, and sometimes we have no one to share them with. I love all your quilts, just like children each one is different and unique in its own way.
been sewing foyesrs but feel new to really sewing quilts. made one years ago, used cardboard templates, for not knowing what i was doing it's this huge quilt, has never had batting, didn't know how to put binding on so i just sewed top to bottom, right sides together...this is used in the yard when grandkids were little, i still can't believe i made this giant quilt, cutting each square by scissors. my first projects were quilts for grand babies to play on, simple squares, again really didn't know what i was doing but found a youtube video to learn that. typically i've used okd blankets for batting, so quilts i'm currently making, 2 exact ones at the same time...which has worked doing the same things at the same time, but the batting is too thick to give the result i want, thanks to youtube, i continue to learn techniques and through your mistakes, learn so much, thank you. so far all my quilts have been my own designs, which take longer because there's decisions ongoing, and then seam ripping when i change my mind, i made a hexagon quilt this past fall...still haven't finished with batting, but again my own design, but is a first quilt for myself, i did enjoy no due date to deliver a quilt. thanks for this video
I am an absolute newbie to quilting and I was so grateful for these tips. I watched your video then I watched it a second time with pen and paper in hand and wrote the tips down so I could keep them in my notebook. I have made several quilt tops and passed them onto others for finishing; but, I am about to start my first quilt from beginning to end. These tips will be so helpful.
In Australia we have two products to assist with fabric that bleeds and with fabric that has bleed. First is called Colour Catcher, use when you wash your quilt the first few times to catch the dye. Second use Run Away for Colours (there is also Run Away for Whites), use this product when you’ve washed a quilt that has bleed to remove the bleeding. I’ve used Run Away for Whites when I accidentally washed a red skirt with a white blouse. I ended up with a pretty pink blouse, it turned it back to white beautifully.
Thanks for the tips. I've had some pink socks from accidentally washing reds with whites. They were kind of pretty and no one could see them when I wore them.
The volume is fine on my phone. In fact considered turning it down. I am so enjoying your tips. There is a stain remover that removes blood and blood products as well as everything I have tried it on in 40 years. I worked in a lab and medical field. Anyway Zout will remove your pencil stains. It is light colored fabric apply Zout to stain and wait 10 minutes and then wash. May take more than once if stain is set but will come out. May be purchased at most grocery stores and Walmart.
Great hints! I'm relatively new to quilting, so I appreciate the hints.! WAYYY back I was taught to always prewash my fabric. Back in the fifties when I was in high school home ec. Bleeding and shrinkage were commonplace. Nothing like having the dress you made end up multicolored and two sizes too small after you washed it. Now I wash my fabric as soon as I get it home. And I use Color Catchers ALL the time.. No sizing or transfer of colors when my project pieces are stacked together for a while. Also, I was taught to cut my outside sashing on the stronger lengthwise grain to avoid stretching. AND...if you want to make your longarm operator happy ( good move) run a row or two of stay stitching all around the perimeter of your patchwork. It keeps it from stretching out of shape when she pulls it square on her machine. Thanks, again!
New quilter here….just retired. So far, all I have done is practice with triangles, pinwheels on piece of fabrics that I don’t have enough of to make anything….when I am finished with my triangle practice pieces, I make eye glass cases…….now I think I am ready to try a table runner. I am so glad I ran across this video! Thank you for taking the time to make it!
Your quilts are wonderful! Thank you for this video; I learned a lot. Recently, I learned how to prewash small pieces of fabric (this included jelly rolls) using a salad spinner. By using hot water, Woolite, and a color catcher sheet, I can wash them in batches, rinse in cool water in the spinner, then lay them out to dry before spray starch ironing them. It was not alright to me to avoid prewashing all of my quilt fabrics. Talk about wonky looking quilts! I got the 5 quart size salad spinner with a high top so that the fabrics could move while I washed them. It took about 5 minutes of washing and the same for rinsing and changing the rinse water a few times. Enjoy!
Can't believe how many of the 17 mistakes I use. I wish the volume was higher, I practically had to put my ear right on top. Thank you for all the tips. I will certainly pay more attention to my quilting and slow down.
First of all I'd like to say your quilts are beautiful despite the "mistakes" and as a quilter, "WE" are definitely our own worst critics. You're very brave to share your "mistakes" and wise to learn from them. I've just recently realized (after more than 30 quilts) that backstitching at the end of rows is "wisdom" and will incorporate that into my habits from now on. As for prewashing fabric, that thought really scares me to death as I picture frayed cloth needing a ton of ironing just to get it back into shape so I'm going to pass on that idea for now. I use white vinegar and salt to set colors with success after the quilt is finished and I haven't had any bleeding (but I don't use a lot of red). I'm sure that if we sat down and compared our "mistakes" over a cup of tea (or whatever your favorite beverage), we'd have a wonderful time of laughter. I think the worst mistake any quilter can make is to give up on a quilt before it's finished. I've had lots of sorry looking attempts turn into something wonderful by the end with the right border/binding/quilting. So never give up! Thanks for sharing!!
Woman, I have never met you, but you are talking my first quilt! I took a quilting class in my early 20's. We went to an Amish fabric store to buy 100% cotton fabric. I was in love with my choices.....all jewel tones. There was a solid gorgeous burgundy fabric that I chose for my sashing. Well, I finished the class (but not the quilt)....moved from SE Iowa to NW Missouri to a job where I worked a ton of hours...barely enough time to sleep. My brother called it the 100 year quilt because it was 10 years from start to finish. Well, I had imprecise pieces to start with....templates were made from plastic cut with an exacto knife. I would draw around the templates and then cut the pieces out with scissors...no room for error there! When putting my blocks together, if they weren't fitting quite right, I would stretch the fabric or heavily pin to "ease in the fullness". Over time, I became a more accurate sewer. I also forgot, over the course of 10 years, how big I had intended my sashing to be. There was no way to match the gorgeous burgandy, so, I got as close as I could, but the difference is very obvious. I paid $180 in 1993 or so to have my "masterpiece" handquilted, by a little lady who was in her late 80's and rather frail. Every time I visited her, she asked about the color difference in the sashing. In 1994, I moved to central Iowa and put the quilt on my guest bed. What I failed to notice was the sun coming thru the west window was fading and destroying some of the fabric. There was a sort of dotted Swiss fabric (that was 100% cotton) that disintegrated from the sun. It was a disaster when I washed it! The reds bleed on to the cream (I has not prewashed the fabric), the dotted Swiss exposed to the sun virtually disappeared. Today, the quilt is "put away". I don't have children to pass it on to, so it will likely be considered a "rag" when I die. I have never since made a quilt I loved as much as that one! In 35+ years, the tools available have certainly helped much in my sewing accuracy. Thanks for an excellent video!
So kind of you to share your mistakes in a well presented tutorial. Your work is amazing. I start so many projects and don't finish them so I'm going to revisit pieces with your advice in mind. Thank uou.
I streamed to my tv that way I can hear you better and see the work you do on a large tv screen.....this helps to know someone else makes mistakes....thank you
enjoyable and educational! Am an older sewer learning to piece and eventually quilt with my sewing machine. Of course I made a basic error when starting out - I decided to make a bed coverlet for a queen bed. Yes it was a huge project but I sure learned alot by the time I finished. Yes - do not rush is a great rule along with making sure to square your blocks. So much better results!
When I read the title of this video I was excited thinking I could learn something new! And I did. Thanks so much. Never thought they would be your own mistakes. So appreciate your humility! The one time I had issues with bleeding it was also a batik. Hmmm...I hardly ever prewash, and use a lot of batik. May need to reconsider. Happy quilting!
I personally thank you for your video! I have made two quilts without patterns and with help from RUclips and quilters blogs. I am not a quilter by any means, but I enjoy learning on my own and this video was very helpful! I put the video on CC in the settings menu. Reading is great for the brain! Thank you!
Thanks Claudia...my biggest problem is losing motivation to finish it😁 I love planning and organising and cutting and sewing, but completing? Sadly no. As a result, lots of UFOs. You are inspiring me to get back in and fix the problem. 🇦🇺
I'm a beginner and have already made most of these mistakes :/ I am very guilty of rushing in particular. Most recently ironed pieces that were cut on the bias and deformed them so had to add fabric to make even squares. Is there a way to fix something that has been stretched out of shape? Thank you for putting this together will try to avoid the ones I haven't done yet.
Wonderful timing for this video! I decided that I want to make a quilt as a wedding gift for my fiancé I think it would be wonderful to have something homemade for our home when we move out together after the wedding. I just hope he will appreciate it
Yeah! Promote pre washing. Not only for the bleed, shrinkage factors but the dirt and chemicals! I've been known to wash 3 times. If stored a long time, needs to wash again to get out creases and stretching. Folding fabric distorts so equalize by wash/dry it again. If there is going to be a problem with the fabric , better to find out before you spend all that time on it making a quilt. Use bad fabric for home projects or crafting.
Thank you for your tips! I am guilty of not back stitching at the end of a row. I never gave that a second thought, but I will now! Thank you for that! As far as prewashing all your fabric, that is what I was taught in my first quilting class, however, I use a lot of precuts which can’t be washed and that always freaks me out that what if I gift a quilt and they wash it and it bleeds?? I do tell them to please only wash on gentle, use cold water and I include one of those color catcher things. One thing you mentioned that I didn’t know was...to be careful where you hang a wall hanging quilt, because of fading. I’ve always thought that would only happen if you used low quality fabrics. My daughter has told me that I should buy cheaper fabrics and I say NO! They fade, they bleed and possibly fall apart. Not that I would use low quality fabrics, because you work your tail off to make it, I certainly wouldn’t buy fabrics that would increase the likelihood of that happening. Could you please think about touching on that subject? What are your thoughts? Thank you for the great video!
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. I don't know what the difference is with sunlight on various quality fabrics, but direct sunlight can fade fabrics.
Fabulous ideas! Great suggestions to help us quilt better. As always we can learn, no matter our level of expertise, & experience! Thank you for taking the time to share!But, perfection is overrated! Quilts are special, most people cherish the time & effort that goes into making a quilt, & feel loved when gifted with one! When a quilt is used to wrap up in, a colorful wall hanging, one isnt looking at imperfections, but the overall aesthetics of the colors & designs! Personally, going forward, these suggestions are wonderful, and I am going to strive to use them,! I would not finish most projects If I just HAD to get it perfect!
I actually like using contrasting thread for my down ultralight hiking quilts I make. I don’t think I’ll let go of that for my first real quilt I make. I do agree about pre washing fabric. Thanks for the tips.
Even though it is difficult to hear you, can still see what you are talking about. Thank you for sharing and I know that I have propably made most of those mistakes at some time in my quilting jpurney. I would say squaring up my blocks is and still is, my biggest issue. Again thank you for the share. Happy Quilting!
I'm a new quilter and this is very helpful to me, thank you. I definitely tend to go for fabrics that are too close together in value. But they're so pretty in the store!
I agree. It is difficult to hear and understand. I'm not sure that a volume adjustment will help. You may need to change your microphone or software. There are a lot of people with hearing issues that will not let others know when they cannot hear. Society ignores us and we feel isolated and often we are not aware that we are not hearing what others hear. You will help your audience and only improve your performance by upgrading in this area. Good luck. I hope you are able to do something to enhance your audio. You show good info and your quilts are beautiful! I wish you much luck and success and continue to make such beautiful art with the quilts you make.
I am generally not a rusher, but can be rushed by other impatient people. That's when I can make mistakes. I want to enjoy the process, so try to do what I have planned for the day, but if it doesn't get done because I was taking my time, loving the creativity, I'll take it. Careful pressing means just that... pressing. Not ironing. That I agree on. I have always prewashed fabric with good luck. I mostly do it to get the chemicals out. No one wants to curl up with a quilt full of formaldehyde etc. ... and if enough patient pressing, it won't shrink again after it's made. So nice to feel the love put into the piece, when I see it, or use it. I can hear the anxiety in your voice. Makes my heart race, but you probably get a lot done. Thank you for showing us how you make your beautiful quilts.
I purchased a quilt at a thrift store. The quilt was red and white. A few areas were stain with red. Plus, a closer look at home there was also ink pen stains. It is a beautiful large star quilt; with magnificent quilting. I knew when I purchased it was as is and no returns. I still wanted this quilt, stains an all. I decided I would see if I could get the stains out. I had recently purchased Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover, at a quilt show. I followed the directions on the bottle and every stain, the red, the ink pen marks all came out.
All very excellent tips! A couple ideas for you: (1) About the quilt with tape residue...have you tried nail polish remover? (2) Using red fabric...I read this years ago and it worked: add a huge hand full of salt to the washer the first time you wash the fabric.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching. That residue drives me crazy! And that is the first time I've heard about adding salt. I wonder how that works.
Another mistake that is related to piecing white fabric with a dark thread (shows thru, as you mentioned), is not dealing with "shadowing" (when joining dark fabrics to white). If possible you should press to the dark fabric, but if you can't, make sure to cut a sliver off the dark fabric in the seam so that the white seam fabric completely covers it. This is mainly an issue with white fabric - but if you complete the quilt and don't take care of the 'shadowing', because it's too time consuming and you're rushing ... you will regret it! (at least in my opinion - lesson learned!). Also when making a quilt with white fabric, make sure to really check over your top (as you are basting) for stray cut threads or frayed edge threads in dark colors. It is Murphy's Quilting Law that as soon as you've finished the quilting, you will see that dark loose thread (usually red!) sitting behind your white fabric in your perfectly pieced block! I have sworn off making quilts with white fabric (because I have made all the above mentioned mistakes - including having red fabric bleed onto the neighboring white)! It's just not worth it!
I would like to add - stay away from the rotary cutter when you are tired. I have banned myself from cutting after 6 p.m. I have cut borders in half that were on the fold, fudged the maths on my very first quilt back etc etc.
What do you do if you are 95% on finishing your battered kingsized quilt and finding out then that your backing was sew on inside out but the borderline is also your backing too (completely folded over)? And you have to get it finished by tomorrow.
Thank you. Value is whether a fabric is considered light, medium or dark. Sometimes it’s really surprising to see where a fabric color may fall in those categories. It could also mean what a fabric is worth monetarily but I think you are asking about the colors.
I have several yards of the flowered fabric you mentioned not buying enough of.. I was very surprised to see it. My mom bought it several yards of it years ago and I inherited it. I can't bring myself to cut into it....
It seems that the colours that bleed the most are reds (and maybe purples), so maybe make a "note to self" to prewash those colour fabrics especially. There is also a product called a "color catcher" by the makers of "Shout" fabric stain remover, which looks like a dryer sheet but you throw it in the washing machine when washing your entire quilt. It absorbs dye that would otherwise leak into your lighter colours. Just a couple of suggestions.
Thank you so much. I designed and made that one many years ago, so there isn't a pattern. I used an "on point" basket block and then adjusted the outer border to get a zig zag look. I appreciate the compliment.
Pencil marks are supposed to be water resistant, that's why weather stations used to use pencils to record data in all weathers on duck paper. A good quality (from a reputable art store) clean eraser should be able to do the job. Do please test the erasers before use them on the quilt, because some red ones will leave red or pink smudges behind. There are articles on the web giving detailed instructions on how to get rid of bleeding/colour refreshing with dish detergent Dawn. 🌈
Create with Claudia Thanks for the forum. 🗣👏🏼I have committed every sin and some in quilting.😂 I recently used a Sharpie to trace the pattern for quilting, and the needle rubbed the ink onto the fabric. Umm, 😱. Luckily it was a small section. Dollar Store watercolour markers are the best for that purpose.
Very informative. Just an idea, but I would add a sleeve same color as the backing of that quilt that has the stain and stickiness. The sleeve will cover it. If you are worried about the quilting, draw the same design on the fabric sleeve and sew the design then hand sew the sleeve on. Will hide where you had that area that has the damage.
I'm glad you like that. That is my own design but these is no pattern for it. I have had a couple people ask me about that so I may have to work on that.
Thank you Claudia! For the wall quilt with the sticky remains, you could try nail polish remover. I've used it to remove badge magic residue which is similar to what is on your quilt. Great video and informative! I have a lot to learn!
Thanks for watching. I think at this point I'm leaving the sticky substance as I don't want to mess up the fabric any more. I'm nervous to put anything on it.
Your quilts are all so pretty :) and yes the Christmas Tree quilt is ab fabulous. Can not even see the green thread showing on the screen. I think it is really cool. Have you tried using a pink school eraser on the pencil lines? Seems like that would maybe work, then just shake it out. Thanks for the great advice!
Oh thank you! And thanks for watching! I tried everything to get rid of those pencil lines years ago. Unfortunately nothing worked. Oh well, lesson learned.
My daughter-in-law has me on her account. My name is Dixie.I found your session to be inspiring. I am new to quilting and as I watch more videos, I am more adventurous. Don't be so hard on yourself. ♥️
When I was in the USCM, we had to sew red insignia onto the white shirt of our dress blues. Prior to doing this, they had us soak the red insignia in vinegar, to prevent bleeding later on. Would this trick work with red fabrics in quilting? I've most definitely made these mistakes: rushing, not squaring my blocks. As for the green thread showing, I'd just say, "I meant to do that." 😬
God bless you warts and all!! What you call your mistakes is just proof of the love you put into your quilts, they are beautiful.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate that.
Claudia, I have watched this twice now and it hurts my heart to hear you describe your mistakes. I've been quilting for a few years now and none of my quilts are even close to perfection in any way, but when you point out the errors I just want to yell, '"don't tell anyone"...I understand why you are doing it, but I think everyone of them is beautiful {{}} and thanks for sharing....
Alas, I'm guilty of all of these mistakes and More in my quilting. I feel lucky just to get them finished! I'm always humbled when I watch these videos. Because the quilts featured online are so absolutely amazing and gorgeous I can't even begin to see a single imperfection. It seems overwhelming. But as of late I try to remember something I heard from some seasoned quilter: a flawed quilt
Finished with imperfections errors or mistakes is better than the perfect quilt that's never made.
Thank you-Excellent tips! I've been quilting for 4 years, but made up my mind to start with small projects first, and thus haven't made a big quilt yet and still learning all the various blocks. I took a long time to get good at cutting! Baby blanket is my biggest, but loads of potholders, spec cases, bags, and more bags, mini quilts, pouches, cushions, etc. I'm very happy, I feel more ready now for larger and am doing a floor quilt out of big scraps , for our dog😀, my own design. I'm teaching grand daughters now and it's wonderful, all squares is the first for one, planned and sizes worked out by her. I wish I had looked at RUclips first but I'm loving my quilting journey. I still am guilty of not prewashing so I must start!!!
Thank you Claudia for the wonderful information. Life and quilting are continuous learning processes. As the saying goes, "nothing ventured nothing gained".
I rarely prewash. I do use a Color Catcher sheet when washing my quilts & haven't had any problems with fabrics bleeding. I also use the Color Catcher sheets when I wash a load of colored clothes. They are amazing!
That's good to know about the color catcher sheets. Maybe because I have had problems fabric bleeding I just am worried about using them. I do admit that I love the feel of fabric right from the store. It's so nice and crisp. Thanks for watching and for the color catcher suggestions.
Teri Sparkman: Where do you buy your colour catchers sheets? Please!
@@claudettemonty5155 most grocery stores, Target & Walmart carry them.
Thank you, Claudia, for your honesty. I enjoyed hearing your comments. Every quilt tells a story, sometimes no one will ever know our thoughts, and sometimes we have no one to share them with. I love all your quilts, just like children each one is different and unique in its own way.
Thanks! I appreciate it.
been sewing foyesrs but feel new to really sewing quilts. made one years ago, used cardboard templates, for not knowing what i was doing it's this huge quilt, has never had batting, didn't know how to put binding on so i just sewed top to bottom, right sides together...this is used in the yard when grandkids were little, i still can't believe i made this giant quilt, cutting each square by scissors. my first projects were quilts for grand babies to play on, simple squares, again really didn't know what i was doing but found a youtube video to learn that. typically i've used okd blankets for batting, so quilts i'm currently making, 2 exact ones at the same time...which has worked doing the same things at the same time, but the batting is too thick to give the result i want, thanks to youtube, i continue to learn techniques and through your mistakes, learn so much, thank you. so far all my quilts have been my own designs, which take longer because there's decisions ongoing, and then seam ripping when i change my mind, i made a hexagon quilt this past fall...still haven't finished with batting, but again my own design, but is a first quilt for myself, i did enjoy no due date to deliver a quilt. thanks for this video
Thanks for watching!
I am an absolute newbie to quilting and I was so grateful for these tips. I watched your video then I watched it a second time with pen and paper in hand and wrote the tips down so I could keep them in my notebook. I have made several quilt tops and passed them onto others for finishing; but, I am about to start my first quilt from beginning to end. These tips will be so helpful.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
In Australia we have two products to assist with fabric that bleeds and with fabric that has bleed. First is called Colour Catcher, use when you wash your quilt the first few times to catch the dye. Second use Run Away for Colours (there is also Run Away for Whites), use this product when you’ve washed a quilt that has bleed to remove the bleeding. I’ve used Run Away for Whites when I accidentally washed a red skirt with a white blouse. I ended up with a pretty pink blouse, it turned it back to white beautifully.
Thanks for the tips. I've had some pink socks from accidentally washing reds with whites. They were kind of pretty and no one could see them when I wore them.
The volume is fine on my phone. In fact considered turning it down. I am so enjoying your tips. There is a stain remover that removes blood and blood products as well as everything I have tried it on in 40 years. I worked in a lab and medical field. Anyway Zout will remove your pencil stains. It is light colored fabric apply Zout to stain and wait 10 minutes and then wash. May take more than once if stain is set but will come out. May be purchased at most grocery stores and Walmart.
Thanks for tip and for watching!
Thank you for giving such good advice and speaking from experience. ❤
Thanks! I appreciate it!
The little mistakes show how much love you put into your quilting
Definitely. Thanks for watching.
Thank you so much for taking your time to tell us about these problems, hopefully we can stay one step ahead.
Great hints! I'm relatively new to quilting, so I appreciate the hints.! WAYYY back I was taught to always prewash my fabric. Back in the fifties when I was in high school home ec. Bleeding and shrinkage were commonplace. Nothing like having the dress you made end up multicolored and two sizes too small after you washed it. Now I wash my fabric as soon as I get it home. And I use Color Catchers ALL the time.. No sizing or transfer of colors when my project pieces are stacked together for a while.
Also, I was taught to cut my outside sashing on the stronger lengthwise grain to avoid stretching. AND...if you want to make your longarm operator happy ( good move) run a row or two of stay stitching all around the perimeter of your patchwork. It keeps it from stretching out of shape when she pulls it square on her machine. Thanks, again!
New quilter here….just retired. So far, all I have done is practice with triangles, pinwheels on piece of fabrics that I don’t have enough of to make anything….when I am finished with my triangle practice pieces, I make eye glass cases…….now I think I am ready to try a table runner. I am so glad I ran across this video! Thank you for taking the time to make it!
Glad you enjoyed the video. I appreciate that you watched.
I've been quilting as long as you have and totally agree with every single one of your comments.
Thanks for watching and I'm glad you liked the tips.
Your quilts are wonderful! Thank you for this video; I learned a lot. Recently, I learned how to prewash small pieces of fabric (this included jelly rolls) using a salad spinner. By using hot water, Woolite, and a color catcher sheet, I can wash them in batches, rinse in cool water in the spinner, then lay them out to dry before spray starch ironing them. It was not alright to me to avoid prewashing all of my quilt fabrics. Talk about wonky looking quilts! I got the 5 quart size salad spinner with a high top so that the fabrics could move while I washed them. It took about 5 minutes of washing and the same for rinsing and changing the rinse water a few times. Enjoy!
Thanks so much. I like the salad spinner tip!
Can't believe how many of the 17 mistakes I use. I wish the volume was higher, I practically had to put my ear right on top. Thank you for all the tips. I will certainly pay more attention to my quilting and slow down.
I appreciate you watching the video. I need to check my volume settings on future videos
First of all I'd like to say your quilts are beautiful despite the "mistakes" and as a quilter, "WE" are definitely our own worst critics. You're very brave to share your "mistakes" and wise to learn from them. I've just recently realized (after more than 30 quilts) that backstitching at the end of rows is "wisdom" and will incorporate that into my habits from now on.
As for prewashing fabric, that thought really scares me to death as I picture frayed cloth needing a ton of ironing just to get it back into shape so I'm going to pass on that idea for now. I use white vinegar and salt to set colors with success after the quilt is finished and I haven't had any bleeding (but I don't use a lot of red).
I'm sure that if we sat down and compared our "mistakes" over a cup of tea (or whatever your favorite beverage), we'd have a wonderful time of laughter.
I think the worst mistake any quilter can make is to give up on a quilt before it's finished. I've had lots of sorry looking attempts turn into something wonderful by the end with the right border/binding/quilting. So never give up! Thanks for sharing!!
Claudia, Thank you for sharing your time. I’ve been quilting for years and will use your suggestions as “
gentle “reminders”. Sincerely M🍀
You are so welcome!
Love your quilts! I like quilts that aren’t perfect! Thankyou for the tips
I love the way you added to your blocks!
Thanks so much!
Woman, I have never met you, but you are talking my first quilt! I took a quilting class in my early 20's. We went to an Amish fabric store to buy 100% cotton fabric. I was in love with my choices.....all jewel tones. There was a solid gorgeous burgundy fabric that I chose for my sashing. Well, I finished the class (but not the quilt)....moved from SE Iowa to NW Missouri to a job where I worked a ton of hours...barely enough time to sleep. My brother called it the 100 year quilt because it was 10 years from start to finish. Well, I had imprecise pieces to start with....templates were made from plastic cut with an exacto knife. I would draw around the templates and then cut the pieces out with scissors...no room for error there! When putting my blocks together, if they weren't fitting quite right, I would stretch the fabric or heavily pin to "ease in the fullness". Over time, I became a more accurate sewer. I also forgot, over the course of 10 years, how big I had intended my sashing to be. There was no way to match the gorgeous burgandy, so, I got as close as I could, but the difference is very obvious. I paid $180 in 1993 or so to have my "masterpiece" handquilted, by a little lady who was in her late 80's and rather frail. Every time I visited her, she asked about the color difference in the sashing. In 1994, I moved to central Iowa and put the quilt on my guest bed. What I failed to notice was the sun coming thru the west window was fading and destroying some of the fabric. There was a sort of dotted Swiss fabric (that was 100% cotton) that disintegrated from the sun. It was a disaster when I washed it! The reds bleed on to the cream (I has not prewashed the fabric), the dotted Swiss exposed to the sun virtually disappeared. Today, the quilt is "put away". I don't have children to pass it on to, so it will likely be considered a "rag" when I die. I have never since made a quilt I loved as much as that one! In 35+ years, the tools available have certainly helped much in my sewing accuracy.
Thanks for an excellent video!
Thanks for watching and love your story! Every quilt carries some memories in it.
So kind of you to share your mistakes in a well presented tutorial. Your work is amazing. I start so many projects and don't finish them so I'm going to revisit pieces with your advice in mind. Thank uou.
I had trouble hearing you too. As far as your mistakes, I am also in the prewashing camp. If I'm given scraps, I prewash them by hand.
I streamed to my tv that way I can hear you better and see the work you do on a large tv screen.....this helps to know someone else makes mistakes....thank you
Love how you explain it all! Thank you, you are absolutely appreciated!
You are so welcome! I appreciate that you watched.
very helpful preventives with photos (video) of mistakes; 👍 amazing that she fixed her mistakes & showed us those and so many big projects she did!
That quilt is stunning!!!!! I too love the rose fabric....
Thank you.
I like mistakes , then the quilt becoms yours!! It makes the quilt interesting!
Thanks for watching.
enjoyable and educational! Am an older sewer learning to piece and eventually quilt with my sewing machine. Of course I made a basic error when starting out - I decided to make a bed coverlet for a queen bed. Yes it was a huge project but I sure learned alot by the time I finished. Yes - do not rush is a great rule along with making sure to square your blocks. So much better results!
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching.
When I read the title of this video I was excited thinking I could learn something new! And I did. Thanks so much. Never thought they would be your own mistakes. So appreciate your humility!
The one time I had issues with bleeding it was also a batik. Hmmm...I hardly ever prewash, and use a lot of batik. May need to reconsider. Happy quilting!
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!
I personally thank you for your video! I have made two quilts without patterns and with help from RUclips and quilters blogs. I am not a quilter by any means, but I enjoy learning on my own and this video was very helpful! I put the video on CC in the settings menu. Reading is great for the brain! Thank you!
Thanks Claudia...my biggest problem is losing motivation to finish it😁 I love planning and organising and cutting and sewing, but completing? Sadly no. As a result, lots of UFOs. You are inspiring me to get back in and fix the problem. 🇦🇺
I definitely have projects that I am not motivated to finish. Thanks.
Your quilts are beautiful, I can see how hard you worked on them Thank you for the tips
Thanks!
So true Just chose low loft batting. Not good for quilt I was making. Good tablecloth perhaps. You are so right. Thanks for video
I'm a beginner and have already made most of these mistakes :/ I am very guilty of rushing in particular. Most recently ironed pieces that were cut on the bias and deformed them so had to add fabric to make even squares. Is there a way to fix something that has been stretched out of shape?
Thank you for putting this together will try to avoid the ones I haven't done yet.
Great video. I quilt a lot and I have to force myself to remember all your points. Thank you.
Thanks!
Wonderful timing for this video! I decided that I want to make a quilt as a wedding gift for my fiancé I think it would be wonderful to have something homemade for our home when we move out together after the wedding. I just hope he will appreciate it
Thanks. That sounds lovely.
Yeah! Promote pre washing. Not only for the bleed, shrinkage factors but the dirt and chemicals! I've been known to wash 3 times. If stored a long time, needs to wash again to get out creases and stretching. Folding fabric distorts so equalize by wash/dry it again. If there is going to be a problem with the fabric , better to find out before you spend all that time on it making a quilt. Use bad fabric for home projects or crafting.
Thanks for the tips and for watching.
Thank you for your experience and knowledge that has taken a long time to gather. It's priceless.
Thanks.
Your first quilt is beautiful!
Thank you! 😊
Thank you for your tips! I am guilty of not back stitching at the end of a row. I never gave that a second thought, but I will now! Thank you for that! As far as prewashing all your fabric, that is what I was taught in my first quilting class, however, I use a lot of precuts which can’t be washed and that always freaks me out that what if I gift a quilt and they wash it and it bleeds?? I do tell them to please only wash on gentle, use cold water and I include one of those color catcher things. One thing you mentioned that I didn’t know was...to be careful where you hang a wall hanging quilt, because of fading. I’ve always thought that would only happen if you used low quality fabrics. My daughter has told me that I should buy cheaper fabrics and I say NO! They fade, they bleed and possibly fall apart. Not that I would use low quality fabrics, because you work your tail off to make it, I certainly wouldn’t buy fabrics that would increase the likelihood of that happening. Could you please think about touching on that subject? What are your thoughts? Thank you for the great video!
Thanks for watching. I appreciate it. I don't know what the difference is with sunlight on various quality fabrics, but direct sunlight can fade fabrics.
Fabulous ideas! Great suggestions to help us quilt better. As always we can learn, no matter our level of expertise, & experience! Thank you for taking the time to share!But, perfection is overrated! Quilts are special, most people cherish the time & effort that goes into making a quilt, & feel loved when gifted with one! When a quilt is used to wrap up in, a colorful wall hanging, one isnt looking at imperfections, but the overall aesthetics of the colors & designs! Personally, going forward, these suggestions are wonderful, and I am going to strive to use them,! I would not finish most projects If I just HAD to get it perfect!
Perfection is definitely overrated! And I still do almost all of these ;-) Thanks for watching.
Thanks for all your tips and for sharing your beautiful quilts 🤩
thanks for watching!
Your quilts are beautiful. You're very talented! Thank you for the video.
Thank you.
I actually like using contrasting thread for my down ultralight hiking quilts I make. I don’t think I’ll let go of that for my first real quilt I make. I do agree about pre washing fabric. Thanks for the tips.
Thanks for sharing!
Even though it is difficult to hear you, can still see what you are talking about. Thank you for sharing and I know that I have propably made most of those mistakes at some time in my quilting jpurney. I would say squaring up my blocks is and still is, my biggest issue. Again thank you for the share. Happy Quilting!
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the tips and I can hear you just fine. Btw, your quilts are beautiful!
Thanks so much. I appreciate it!!!
I'm a new quilter and this is very helpful to me, thank you. I definitely tend to go for fabrics that are too close together in value. But they're so pretty in the store!
You are so welcome! I still do that too and there are some absolutely gorgeous quilts that use fabrics that are close in value. Thanks for watching.
Thank you for sharing. I look at mistakes giving character. I have done the same thing called it learning.
Yep I agree, mistakes do give character. Thanks for watching!
I love the log cabin quilt you made for your husband! If you make a pattern I will buy it! Love the colors, too.
Thanks so much. I really should do a pattern for that one. I get such nice compliments on it and I appreciate that!
Thank you Claudia, for being so open and honest about your mistakes. I am new to quilting and appreciate your generosity!
Good for you showing examples of mistakes! Well done!!
Thanks.
I can not hear what you say,even on the highest volume.Thank you .
Thanks for letting me know. I need to check my volume settings on future videos.
I agree. It is difficult to hear and understand. I'm not sure that a volume adjustment will help. You may need to change your microphone or software. There are a lot of people with hearing issues that will not let others know when they cannot hear. Society ignores us and we feel isolated and often we are not aware that we are not hearing what others hear. You will help your audience and only improve your performance by upgrading in this area. Good luck. I hope you are able to do something to enhance your audio. You show good info and your quilts are beautiful! I wish you much luck and success and continue to make such beautiful art with the quilts you make.
I am generally not a rusher, but can be rushed by other impatient people. That's when I can make mistakes. I want to enjoy the process, so try to do what I have planned for the day, but if it doesn't get done because I was taking my time, loving the creativity, I'll take it. Careful pressing means just that... pressing. Not ironing. That I agree on. I have always prewashed fabric with good luck. I mostly do it to get the chemicals out. No one wants to curl up with a quilt full of formaldehyde etc. ... and if enough patient pressing, it won't shrink again after it's made. So nice to feel the love put into the piece, when I see it, or use it. I can hear the anxiety in your voice. Makes my heart race, but you probably get a lot done. Thank you for showing us how you make your beautiful quilts.
Can't hear you.
I purchased a quilt at a thrift store. The quilt was red and white. A few areas were stain with red. Plus, a closer look at home there was also ink pen stains.
It is a beautiful large star quilt; with magnificent quilting. I knew when I purchased it was as is and no returns.
I still wanted this quilt, stains an all.
I decided I would see if I could get the stains out.
I had recently purchased Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover, at a quilt show.
I followed the directions on the bottle and every stain, the red, the ink pen marks all came out.
Good to know. Thanks for watching!
Your quilts are amazing beautiful!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it.
Great information for a newbie like me. Well done. I also enjoyed seeing some of your quilts too. Thank you!
Thanks so much for watching.
Great refreshers!!! Always use Color Catcher sheets when washing!!!
Thanks and thanks for the tip too!
All very excellent tips! A couple ideas for you: (1) About the quilt with tape residue...have you tried nail polish remover? (2) Using red fabric...I read this years ago and it worked: add a huge hand full of salt to the washer the first time you wash the fabric.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching. That residue drives me crazy! And that is the first time I've heard about adding salt. I wonder how that works.
The salt sets the color somehow. You probably know what I’m about to say...Try it! It worked for me.
Thanks Claudia for showing examples, great instruction, just found your site 😊
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!
Another mistake that is related to piecing white fabric with a dark thread (shows thru, as you mentioned), is not dealing with "shadowing" (when joining dark fabrics to white). If possible you should press to the dark fabric, but if you can't, make sure to cut a sliver off the dark fabric in the seam so that the white seam fabric completely covers it. This is mainly an issue with white fabric - but if you complete the quilt and don't take care of the 'shadowing', because it's too time consuming and you're rushing ... you will regret it! (at least in my opinion - lesson learned!).
Also when making a quilt with white fabric, make sure to really check over your top (as you are basting) for stray cut threads or frayed edge threads in dark colors.
It is Murphy's Quilting Law that as soon as you've finished the quilting, you will see that dark loose thread (usually red!) sitting behind your white fabric in your perfectly pieced block!
I have sworn off making quilts with white fabric (because I have made all the above mentioned mistakes - including having red fabric bleed onto the neighboring white)!
It's just not worth it!
Excellent tips and great reminders.
Thanks for watching.
Thank you. New to quilting, only been doing it foe about a year. Needed these tips. Thanks again. By the way I could hear fine.
I'm glad you could hear it and thanks for watching.
I would add that you should add labels to your quilts. Otherwise, good tips!
Extremely helpful advice. Thank you for sharing it with us.
Thanks.
I would like to add - stay away from the rotary cutter when you are tired. I have banned myself from cutting after 6 p.m. I have cut borders in half that were on the fold, fudged the maths on my very first quilt back etc etc.
Ha. That's a great comment! Way to go!
Good one. I've cut through blocks and it's a bummer.
Same here!
What do you do if you are 95% on finishing your battered kingsized quilt and finding out then that your backing was sew on inside out but the borderline is also your backing too (completely folded over)? And you have to get it finished by tomorrow.
Great tips, Claudia. Thank you!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Great tips! What does it mean though when you say fabric values? I gather Kurt has to do with colors but I don’t fully understand.
Thank you. Value is whether a fabric is considered light, medium or dark. Sometimes it’s really surprising to see where a fabric color may fall in those categories. It could also mean what a fabric is worth monetarily but I think you are asking about the colors.
@@CreatewithClaudia oh yes that’s what I meant, not the money value :)
I have several yards of the flowered fabric you mentioned not buying enough of.. I was very surprised to see it. My mom bought it several yards of it years ago and I inherited it. I can't bring myself to cut into it....
It is pretty isn't it. Thanks for watching.
Can hear, but echoed. Loved the Christmas tree pattern. What is it?
Thanks so much. I have to work on the volume on my videos. The Christmas tree pattern is one I designed. I'm glad you liked it. Thanks again.
Thank You for the wonderful tips, first time QUILTER, so any ideas and suggestion would really help . Thank you again.
You are so welcome! Thanks so much for watching!
It seems that the colours that bleed the most are reds (and maybe purples), so maybe make a "note to self" to prewash those colour fabrics especially. There is also a product called a "color catcher" by the makers of "Shout" fabric stain remover, which looks like a dryer sheet but you throw it in the washing machine when washing your entire quilt. It absorbs dye that would otherwise leak into your lighter colours. Just a couple of suggestions.
Where can we get or buy the pattern of the flower basket quilt you made. It is so beautiful and peaceful to look at. Thank you for the video.
Thank you so much. I designed and made that one many years ago, so there isn't a pattern. I used an "on point" basket block and then adjusted the outer border to get a zig zag look. I appreciate the compliment.
@@CreatewithClaudia Thanks!
Pencil marks are supposed to be water resistant, that's why weather stations used to use pencils to record data in all weathers on duck paper. A good quality (from a reputable art store) clean eraser should be able to do the job. Do please test the erasers before use them on the quilt, because some red ones will leave red or pink smudges behind.
There are articles on the web giving detailed instructions on how to get rid of bleeding/colour refreshing with dish detergent Dawn. 🌈
Thanks for the information.
Create with Claudia Thanks for the forum. 🗣👏🏼I have committed every sin and some in quilting.😂 I recently used a Sharpie to trace the pattern for quilting, and the needle rubbed the ink onto the fabric. Umm, 😱. Luckily it was a small section. Dollar Store watercolour markers are the best for that purpose.
I’d love to buy the pattern for the Christmas tree quilt. Can you tell me if you have it or where I can get it?
I'm glad you like that quilt. I do not have a pattern for that quilt yet. Sorry about that.
Very informative. Just an idea, but I would add a sleeve same color as the backing of that quilt that has the stain and stickiness. The sleeve will cover it. If you are worried about the quilting, draw the same design on the fabric sleeve and sew the design then hand sew the sleeve on. Will hide where you had that area that has the damage.
Thanks Mary -That's a great idea. Every time I see that quilt I tell myself I need to fix it, but then I never do. I appreciate the tip.
I'd like the quilt pattern that goes with mistake 16 Piecing with non-coordinating thread. What's it called and how can I get it?
I'm glad you like that. That is my own design but these is no pattern for it. I have had a couple people ask me about that so I may have to work on that.
What is the name of the block (orange materials) you are referencing in video. I would like to make that block. Thank you.
It’s called Card Trick. It’s a great block. Thanks for watching!
thank you for sharing your experience. :-)
Thank you for your helpful instructions!
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!
Very helpful Claudia. Although the volume was low, with headphones on I could hear everything.
Thank you. Yes, unfortunately I had volume problems on this one. I'm better at it now.
Great tips Claudia. Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
Your first quilt is amazing. Hand sew too! 👏👏👏
Thank you.
Thank you Claudia! For the wall quilt with the sticky remains, you could try nail polish remover. I've used it to remove badge magic residue which is similar to what is on your quilt. Great video and informative! I have a lot to learn!
Thanks for watching. I think at this point I'm leaving the sticky substance as I don't want to mess up the fabric any more. I'm nervous to put anything on it.
Or goo gone
Flourescent lights are also an enemy of fabric. If fabric is left too long under fluorescent lighting, it will fade.
Thanks for that tip!
She actually got all choked up about not getting enough of that one fabric.
Have you tried a soft art eraser on the pencil?
I did a long time ago, but no luck. After all these years I'm used to the marks. Lesson learned though. Thanks for the tip and for watching!
Your quilts are all so pretty :) and yes the Christmas Tree quilt is ab fabulous. Can not even see the green thread showing on the screen. I think it is really cool. Have you tried using a pink school eraser on the pencil lines? Seems like that would maybe work, then just shake it out. Thanks for the great advice!
Oh thank you! And thanks for watching! I tried everything to get rid of those pencil lines years ago. Unfortunately nothing worked. Oh well, lesson learned.
I piece with only white, cream, natural, or light gray thread.
Good advice on the batting.
Thanks for watching. I'm with you on the thread color. I will go darker if it's a darker quilt.
Rushing, my number one mistake.
Just found this and I appreciate you sharing!
Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching!
Claudia you should hand embroider over the flowers that are marked with pencil.
That's a thought. Thanks for that and for watching!
Have you tried Goo-Off on the back of your quilt? I use to use it in the library with cloth cover books and various artifact that needed help🤩
Thanks for the tip! I'm wary of putting anything on the fabric because I don't want it to stain or otherwise damage it. Thanks for waatching.
My daughter-in-law has me on her account. My name is Dixie.I found your session to be inspiring. I am new to quilting and as I watch more videos, I am more adventurous. Don't be so hard on yourself. ♥️
When I was in the USCM, we had to sew red insignia onto the white shirt of our dress blues. Prior to doing this, they had us soak the red insignia in vinegar, to prevent bleeding later on. Would this trick work with red fabrics in quilting?
I've most definitely made these mistakes: rushing, not squaring my blocks. As for the green thread showing, I'd just say, "I meant to do that." 😬
Hmmm, I don't know if that trick would work on quilting fabric and I love the "I meant to do that" trick. Thanks for watching.
Thank you Claudia.. 💗
You are so welcome. Thanks for watching!
Thanks for your info your quilts are great
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching and kind remarks.
Thank you Claudia.
Thanks for watching!
Have you tried google-lens to find that fabric?
No but that’s a great idea! It’s pretty old so I don’t have high hopes. Thanks for the tip and for watching!
Thank you for the helpful information.
Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching!