10 Things I Do That the Quilt Police HATE! 

I just now ADORE you. I’m 80 with macular degeneration and I keep quilting and thank you so very much for this video, I giggled at most of what you said. I just love you, keep up the great work.

As a “self taught “ quilter, I learned a lot of “bad” habits😂 but they work for me and my family and friends who get gifted with a quilt always appreciate the effort and never ask what rules I broke☺️

This video is so needed. I belonged to a quilting group that had frequent retreats. These were the nicest bunch of ladies, however as a beginner quilter and coming from an advanced garment sewing background, I did some things differently, they picked apart so many things that I did wrong that I wanted to QUIT QUILTING! I had to move from Florida to Western New York to care for my Mother and now I follow my own rules. My point is if it works for you, don’t let the rules crush your creativity! I was shamed for making my first quilt with curves (drunkard’s path). Well ha ha it was gorgeous! The old timers wanted me to start at the beginning. You do you!!!😂

I'm 67 and was taught by my Grandma who was in her 70's at the time. We used scraps from other sewing (waste not want not) and old clothes. She taught me to press all seams open and would never have even thought of using starch (starch was only used on my Dad's work shirts) on a quilt. Another quilter's "sacrilege" she committed was using her scissors to cut anything she needed to. She only had two pairs of scissors, a small needlework pair and an 8" pair for everything else. I freely confess to also using my sewing scissors occasionally for cutting (gasp!) paper, ribbon, and yarn if they're the ones within reach. Don't worry about the small things. It is only recently that we've been told (probably by scissors and sewing supplies manufacturers) that we need all the fancy stuff to sew. Vintage sewing machines still sew as well as the newer ones at a fraction of the cost if you're mostly creating quilts.

I love all of this! I've been a "punk rock quilter" from the day I learned. I am self-taught from a book by Marti Michell called Quilting for People Who Don't Have Time to Quilt, and thanks to that being my introduction to quilting, I have never prewashed fabric; learned strip piecing from the beginning; understood that you can make a million beautiful, interesting quilts without ever cutting a triangle; "finger-press" all my seams to the right as I go (no ironing); and let my mistakes "fall into the seams." I also send my quilts out to be quilted because I enjoy patchwork much more than quilting, and all my bindings are made from the backing fabric, folded over and stitched by machine.

I stopped hand sewing my bindings. People who receive my quilts as gifts are thrilled and not one of them every notices if the binding is hand sewn or machine sewn. I ain't got time to hand sew those. Thank you for sharing this.

As someone who is medically blind I totally sew my own way. If the quilt police come after me I’d give them smeared specs with parts blanked out so they had my remaining sight and tell them to go for it. It totally depends on the block I’m sewing how I press. A 4 patch I’ll press to the side for nesting seams but a “kite” block I’ll press open and taper the seam allowance to reduce bulk at the point. I’ve been told by people that die cutting “wastes fabric” but by using my AccuQuilt dies I can independently cut my fabric, and using Bonnie Hunter’s Bonus Buddy Ruler to set a homemade fabric guide permanently on my bobbin cover I can accurately sew my seams… even a drunkard’s path block. Because I can’t see where the pins are as I sew I don’t use pins I line up corners, edges, and seams as I sew. Not only do I ignore the quilt police but I also ignore the disability police who tell me as a blind woman I can’t walk independently and I walk solo in the countryside near my home in the UK (I live a 30 minute train journey north of London). Just do it your way. Let others do it their way.

When the quilt police start buying my fabric and making my quilts for me I will quietly listen to their good and bad points but until then I will do it my way. Great video especially for beginners, no shaming or guilt just do what you love. Advice is only good, if it works for you.

The most upsetting thing to me about this video is the many, many comments that say experienced quilters were so judgmental with new quilters. I’m so sorry this happened to so many people, and there’s no excuse for it! Creativity in any form is completely personal! Celebrate creators, folks, and support people new to the art! Thanks for this video, Stephanie!

"Do what works for you." Best advice ever. TY.

Lol!!! You had me at “I do not prewash my fabric!”

Two things - One thing I hear all the time from the quilt police is, NEVER lick your thread when threading a needle. I do it all the time and I've never had a quilt spontaneously combust! My mother did it, my grandmother did it and that's good enough for me. Secondly, the "press the seams to the side" rule came from back in the day when women hand sewed the entire quilt. You just can't get as tight of a seam as you can with a machine and pressing to the side kept the seams from letting that unbonded cotton batting from travelling out. In that day and time, it made sense. Fun video, thank you!

Life doesn’t settle down when your children get older. It just gets crazier in different ways.

If you really want to see the quilt police freak tell them you use crayola washable markers instead of chalk or other “disappearing“ pens. They work great, there are a ton of colors to chose from, and have washed out of everything is used them on.

I was so sick of replacing my irons so often. Then I saw you use that mister and, I swear, a light bulb flashed over my head! Then I saw you lay your finger beside the seam to keep it straight at the end. Those tips alone would make me your fan, but there have been so many more. Thanks! I've been sewing for 75 years, almost 70 of them on a machine, but this old dog is always willing to use a new trick to make her life easier. And I love, love, love your wry sense of humor. I think you and I would get along famously if we ever sat down for a cup of tea. 😊

I came into quilting in the early ‘90’s and my quilting bee (of which I was by far the youngest) were horrified to find out I don’t pre wash my fabrics. I love the crispness of unwashed fabric and it just sews up so much nicer. I do have a test if I’m unsure about colorfastness. I cut a square approx 1 1/2” and put it in a white bowl, pour boiling water over it and add a dab of liquid soap. If you see no color in the water, rinse then lay on white paper towel and let it air dry (can be pressed dry on paper). If still no color your good to go. This has saved me on a lot of batiks that bled like crazy!! New subscriber to your channel.

Thanks for this great video. I've been sewing since I learned in home ec class back in 1945. To save you some math, I'm 92. I love making quilts to give, and love doing as much as possible on the machine. Your list frees me from feeling a little guilty when I step outside the borders with various aspects of quilting. I think quilt making should be fun and not a source of frustration and worrying about measuring up to someone else's standards. Well done, you! Oh and I've just ordered one of those misters. Much better than spray bottles.

I just want to say, “Thank you!” I’ve been wrestling with a memory quilt from my Mom’s clothing. Silly me. I designed it with a lot of triangle points. They were driving me crazy. But, ironing my seams open has miraculously given me perfect points with almost no effort! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I just started quilting and found your videos. I don't care how old they are....I love them! Your personality is like........well like my friends....like mine....the honesty, the lack of posturing. Love you. Relatable. Fabulous. ❤❤❤❤

Here’s my comment-I no longer feel guilt about sewing the binding by machine! What a time saver!

My grandma won several quilt entry first prize at county and state fairs back in the 80s and 90s. She would love that you're a "Press the seam open" kina gal. She couldn't stand how her corners looked with any other press. Great video.

more and more of you younger folks (I’m old, lets face it!) are doing it your way in quilting and I LOVE it! We do have to feel good in our own skin and in our sewing techniques and habits. Sometimes I press them open when I think fabric needs to be and other times I press over. Since I have been piecing more often with small pieces I tend to press open. The only thing I differ with in your reasoning on this point is, I tried stitch in the ditch once on pressed open seams and I think and felt like I am sewing over the stitches so I tend not to do stitch in the ditch with open seams. I kept thinking my needle would split the threads under it or at some point through washing over time it would cause a failure in a seam or more. Loved this video, love your attitude and I might try your mister use idea when I iron flat seams

Love this, and I’m also a quilt rebel! Real life is not the same thing as show quilting. I’m making my stuff for enjoyment and then also to use. I use or gift out everything I make. I have no interest in entering a competition but gifting a friend’s child with a quilt or pillow case Or softie is something I love doing! And a 3 year old doesn’t care if you pressed seams open or used a frixion pen. I love your work Stephanie!

Great video! I was going to say how much your tutorial on how to get perfect points helped me, but I’m busy ironing out frixion pen marks with my steamless iron. After that I’m going to get rid of a pile o scraps, and admire my heretofore guilty pile of UFOs, and tell the truth about ugly fabric regrets! Now to ponder what to do with that spray starch I no longer need…guess I’ll figure that out after I order my misting bottle. This video is FIRE 🔥🔥🔥

0:26 - Prewash? 2:28 - Starch? 4:08 - Pressing seams open 6:29 - Stich-in-the-ditch 7:46 - Friction Gel Pens 9:54 - Scrap management 11:27 - Ugly fabric 13:14 - Thread Tails 14:34 - New Project Syndrome 15:26 - Steam Irons V Spray Misting

I am definitely going to start pressing my seams opens. This old dog (68) can certainly learn new tricks!😁 So many things to try. Thank you so much for sharing.

The art of quilting has been revitalized in the last 10 to 15 years by RU-vid. And I am grateful to all these instructors who show you how to do things the easy way and make it fun!

Gramma taught me at age 7 to iron my seams open I’m now 73 and still do it the right way Enjoy your videos 💕😊🌺

Thanks for your encouragement and permission to find what works best for me

After 50+ years of sewing, you never assume you know everything! Thanks

So refreshing to hear someone who also creates how it suits them. Not everybody eats broccoli - not every fabric is appealing to everyone's creative pallet. Thank you! ♥️

I started using Crayola washable markers to mark my quilting lines. I always wash my quilts once I’m done the quilting and binding. The marks all came out beautifully even after a year of sitting on my quilt. I was happily surprised. It took that long because I broke my right wrist and couldn’t hand quilt until I got my strength and flexibility back

Steph, this is a miracle video. I’m a pretty new quilter, and these ten subjects cause me no end of anxiety. I’m stressing right now over the scraps I’ve collected. I feel I was meant to see this now. I can’t tell you the relief I’m feeling. I’m taking my first quilt class now after finishing two quilts with six more at the quilter’s. The first class she cut the fabric different from me. I was horrified. Apparently I’ve been cutting wrong for a year. I have been trying to copy her technique but it’s awkward for me. Thank you SO much. I can’t tell you how much better I feel after watching this!!!

Thank you! I am so relieved with to hear ALL this 😅

100% agree! From garment sewer to quilting allowed me to transfer those skills to quilting. Pressing seams open gives your a thread or two advantage…..it’s called “turn of thread.”

You go, lady, that is all the things I have done ever since I started quilting, DO YOUR OWN THING, it all comes out in the end, and if you find a hole in the fabric, cover it with a patch, no one will know that you did not plan it that way.

Stephanie, you made my day! I learned to sew from my grandma in the 1960's. EVERY seam was pressed open, and garment sewing has remained the same over my lifetime as a casual sewist. I've come to quilting recently and was baffled by the idea of NOT continuing that method for flat seams! Love your method of misting instead of steam ironing. My new iron has never held water and now it never will. But most of all, you've reminded us that the point is to experience JOY. Thanks so much!

I love you. You have removed so much guilt from my quilting. Also, you have excused some or the things I thought I had to do, and I will stop a lot of things. Life is good.

Great points made, Stephanie. You gotta do it your way. Please let quilting be freeing rather than restrictive! I can't believe I would be the only one that really, really gets the ire up by using polyester thread. Gasp! Yep, hasn't caused a problem, yet, but I don't plan to be around 100 years to find out if it does.

I was taught the reason for pressing seams to the side was so the sean allowance would not show through any lighter colored fabric pieces. I was taught to press the seam to the side that had darker colors, and if you were sewing together a lot of points (Lemoine Star for example) to press them all in the same direction so the points made a little spiral and you were supposed to trim the tips if the points between sewing and pressing to reduce bulk.

In your face quilt police! There's a new sheriff in town!! Love it. ❤️ Keep the fun informative videos coming!

I feel that quilting is very much a personal thing and when you do what works for you instead of running with the herd you are much happier in the process. I have never buried my thread and do exactly as you do. I don't plan to enter my quilts in a show so the method works great. I love your "violations" and find myself in many of them and the ones i don't do, I plan to try! Thanks much! 😊

I have JUST started setting up to start quilting and have HUGE anxiety that everything must be prefect therefore I don't start... I love this video soooooooooo much!!!

This is the first time I’ve watched you and I loved it, I have made many quilts over the years. I was a new quilter and made quilts t had no idea was not for beginners, I’ve gotten a lot better over the 20 or so years, I also have30 or so grandchildren and they all have quilts. Will watch you again for sure.

Omg, I love your attitude. I’m self taught, and probably have been doing it wrong all along, but I have managed some very special quilts. I wish I had had the opportunity to learn properly, I do many of those ten things you just described. Thanks for sharing.

Thank you! I have been quilting 40+ years and I was taught almost all of the skills you mentioned. I gradually came to realize I could could do the steps in a way that worked the best for me and get the same or better results. I especially agree with not using water in the iron. Misting rarely causes me a distorted block like steam can.

I’m 70, been quilting for 50 yrs. I took quilting classes because no quilters in my family. I was taught open seams. The quilts do turn out better. For quick quilts, baby quilts, etc. , I fold over. Love the video!

You are SO practical. Thank you!

I just happened upon this video. It was awesome. Every tip is awesome. The seams pressed open never thought of it. I use frixion pens, and the iron steam makes sense, I will be stopping that.

aren't you the most chill quilter ever 😫😫✨✨👍🏻👍🏻

We think alike! I agree with you on everything….but #10.😁 I love my steam in my iron but I am careful about distortion and I love my mister, too. Thanks for your great video. I think we should get to choose what works best for us.👍

Haters gunna hate! I love your attitude towards People judging you! And every reason you gave for you doing something made complete sense! ❤❤

I believe the pressing seams to one side was because ladies hand quilted everything. It is easier to hand quilt in the ditch with only one layer of fabric to quilt through instead of two layers. If seams would not hold , when pressing seams open, , wouldn't all our clothes fall apart? I know some feel, that there is too much stress on the seams, if your quilt is laying on the bed and they are pressed open and someone sits on it. It will pull apart, but again, our clothing gets lots of pulling and stress on the seams and they usually do not fall apart. Especially if you shorten the stitch length as you said in the video. Great advice in the video. Be yourself!

I just came upon your video. I just love you and especially your quilt police list. I have been quilting for over 40 years and I am going to try many of your tips. Going to press all my seams open from now on. You are fantastic!

Glad u are feeling better

I absolutely start new projects without finishing all my current projects or "ufo's" because that is part of the fun and joy of creating. I also love completing things and I keep my projects organized like you do, but I do this for the joy it brings me.

Hi! I am a novice quilter but an expert "maker" for over 30 years. I love your video because it highlights one of the failings of guilds, maker communities, etc., and that is the setting of rules. There are best practices, yes. But unconstructive criticism simply holds back the art and the artist. Just look at the many makers over the centuries who broke the rules of their day and created genius work for us to enjoy today! I got a kick out of the rule to press seams to one side, usually the darker one. In sewing the seam is usually pressed open unless a particular seam is required. If pressing the seam open causes a weak seam then my garments should have disintegrated decades ago! LOL

I store my UFO’s like you do. I do all of the things in this list. Pressing seams open has been a game changer for perfect points. I do like starch, but mainly for bias cut material.

Definitely machine stitch my bindings. It’s like blasphemy with experienced quilters, but I have carpal tunnel in my right hand and can’t hand stitch more than a few stitches. The looks I get are priceless. It works for me and I will never be a competitive quilter.

Amen for this video! Thank you for saying it’s ok to do what works for you. I’ve always kept all my scraps which take up precious storage space, and I’m not a scrappy quilter. I’m now so happy to give them to other quilters who love having a fresh selection of scraps. A great reminder that quilting should make us happy 😃

I've started pressing my seams open and am soooooo happy with the way my piecing accuracy has improved!

I have used a stapler to attach quilts to my walls when Im in a hurry.......Loved your video!

I don't quilt but I love the idea of breaking the rules so I had to watch. Beautiful quilts!

A well known starcher and her best pal, who is not a starcher, say, "Be the boss of your own quilt. You don't have to do it my way. I am showing you what works for me. It might not be for you. That's OK!" That was liberating for me as a newer quilter years ago. My mom, who is 77, went from pooh poohing LAQ to embracing it, because as log as she can afford the LAQ, it allows her to make more quilts and still do the other handwork she loves. Rock on Stephanie!

I have just completed my very first sewing project. A queen size story/photo/memory quilt that became bigger as the lockdowns in Melbourne, Australia continued. 100% hand sewn and quilted. Took me two years. I am currently visiting in South Africa where I brought it and gave it to my granddaughter. I was so naive and inexperienced that I didn’t follow any rules and relied on RU-vid and people like you, who took the time and made the effort to make tutorials. I thank each and every one for not laughing at me and answering my questions. I have had several people here asking me how much I would charge. Of course I couldn’t even respond. 😂

I just started pressing my seams open and for the first time in 5 years of quilting my pinwheels are perfect!. I took your advice and lowered my stitch length to 2.0 and haven't had a problem yet. Thanks for the great video

I recently saw a tip about using clear, washable Elmers on bindings for table runners and small quilts where binding is sewn down - I was aghast 😅 until I tried it - you sew, flip, glue lightly, clamp, sew. It’s a game changer. And if you want to wash, the glue washes out. Quilt Police heads are exploding as I type!!

Preach sista! It comes natural for me to press the seams open having a garment sewing background. The first time I “pressed toward the dark side” I knew I lost more area on one side than the other, but I guess it does have its place on some patterns. Thanks for making backstitching legal again, this baby boomer appreciates it!

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who likes to open the seams when pressing! Nice video

Thank you! These are great and as a self taught quilter I’m already breaking a lot of the quilting rules. LOL! I’m going to try pressing seams open too.

Thank you! I love this video! I feel such a release of pressure.

This is now my favorite video of yours.

I'm a retired Home Ec teacher and I started to make quilt blocks for quilts after retiring. I totally agree with you to press seams open----that's the way I taught all my students when I was teaching just the beginning and intermediate sewing!! I won't feel guilty anymore

Thank you! I don't enjoy working with pre washed fabric. I don't wash fabric, but I also don't tell anyone!😉Thank you for the tips!

Thank you!!!! I have been doing most of these for the 30 plus years that I've been quilting. Just started to the rest. Thank you again.

Oh my goodness! I listened to every item on your list and want you to know how grateful I am you did this video! After watching several different videos for specific quilts I liked, I had lost my desire to quilt as I was trying to replicate the tutors' methods and I was growing more and more frustrated - especially the pressing to one side thing! And you solved a problem with the ironing by sharing your mister. Will be headed out to get one of those tomorrow! Thank you!!!

Thank you!! You mentioned at least 5 things that I do because it was how I was taught and always wondered why they were done that way. Pressing seams open: thank you! Washing first: thank you! Hanging on to ugly fabrics: thank you! And you’re so right about the “younger” generations. I was honored to judge a (national, well known” quilt show

Hi Stephanie! I’m 67 and have been quilting for about 40 years, but love learning new things to improve my quilting. Im a subscriber to your channel and saw several of your videos and started pressing my seams open and love the results! Also I stopped ironing with steam as I’ve also had the yummy outcome and prefer not to mess up a block or fabric. Thank you for taking the time to share what you e learned! 💕🥰

I love your honesty. You have removed my guilt feelings because I am right on with everything you are sharing. Thank you.

Thank you for this video! As a relatively new quilter, it’s great to hear advice from an experienced quilter. Love your videos!

Love your honesty in all your videos. They always encourage me to just be myself. I want you to know I now press my seams open and yes it's much better. Thanks!

I just learned about your tutoruals....I LOVE YOUR INSTRUCTIONALS, SUGGESTIONS ETC. THANK YOU! I am a "newbie to quilting & you have taught me to enjoy the concept of quilting & NOT to worry so much about the rules!!!!

Loved this! I've been quilting for over 45 years and it was nice to hear I'm doing it right, at least my right way.

Hilarious! Lock me up now! I’m guilty of all ten of these offenses, too.

Thank you for your great video. I was looking to find another video that would show how you pin your points.

I just watched you fir the first time now. I adore you! When i taught myself to quilt i came from making clothes. I pressed seams open and did it with my quilts. I use fabrics other than cottons and combine different fabrics in one quilt. I don't do anything in my quilting that follows any rules. I love my quilts and who needs rules. Thank you

Oh my gosh fabulous video! I love you!! I was an avid quilter and then life happened and I have not got back into the mood...yet. You have enlightened me to new ideas since my last session about 7 years ago. I'm an empty nester orphan now so am starting to get the itch back again. Thanks for the inspiration to relax and enjoy it!

I love you! You've confirmed that it's OK to do what I've been doing and still consider myself a real quilter! Thanks for your courage!

I have learnt more from this, .......thank you.

Hello! I just stepped out of my sewing room as I'm now working on Christmas gifts. I'm so grateful to be able to sit and watch your video. I hope you have a lovely week ahead! Thank you for sharing this and for your time to make this.

The #1 thing I do that the quilt police hate is that I attach my binding on the back of my quilts, pull it to the front and top-stitch it down -- all by machine. It looks fine! I don't like sewing by hand and I don't like sewing blind.

Priceless! 😍😍😍

Loved your video. I'm no longer a newbie to quilting and love to hear easier ideas to get joy out of the process.

Wow ,just found your channel, you my dear are a gem💎 I have been sewing all my life ,literally I started at the age of 5. You are the start person your age group I know that presses open their seams ,that's the way I was taught many years ago love you❤ I will continue to watch thank you for taking the time.🙏🌞

I am g,as you spoke about open seams, I have been a seamstress of clothing for over fifty years and only stated quilting about 4 years ago. I like the look and the accuracy of open seams as opposed to pressing them to one side and was never sure as to the reasoning. You have cleared that up quite a bit. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with all of us !! Have a blessed day !!

Love your honesty. I feel the same way about most of your 10 things! Lots of chuckles this morning.

I love this video. Your attitude about time and only doing things that bring you joy is a wonderful message. I just started quilting last year and didn’t know I was suppose to bury my threads and I felt horrible I had given people quilts that were inferior because I hadn’t. Now I don’t feel so bad.

Thank you. You articulate very well many of the "new & unconventional" practises in quilting. I am now firmly in you fanbase 🌹

Yes, Part 2 would be good.

Thank you for all your good advise, I am self taught by watching RU-vid and giving it a go and just have fun, like you I have many ufos but love using sample fabrics that I purchase from our quilt shop for $1 a piece and if I'm quick and get there when a new batch comes in can be lucky enough to get the whole range then add complementy fabrics or buy yardage from range for boarders Blessing from down under.