Washing your fabrics with a little bit of white vinegar before you use them helps set the colors and prevents color bleed – in quilt fabric or clothes.

Using spray starch or a starch substitute before cutting out fabrics on the bias helps prevent distortion.

Basting spray will hold pieces in place until you sew them. Great for appliqué.

If you want to free motion quilt but don’t have a stitch regulator on your machine, try using your walking foot. It is a challenge to work it around curves, but possible if you go slower. It isn’t nearly as fast or easy as free motion stitching, but the stitches will be consistent.

Cutting a template through two layers of fabric that are right sides together will give you a mirrored image.

To use a roller cutter on curves, use a roller cutter with a smaller diameter.
Cutting your threads as you go will prevent threads getting sewn into the seams, or catching on your presser foot.

Ironing your seams before you sew the next one will help your quilt lie more flat.