Hey there! I’m Olivia - quilter, spreadsheet enthusiast, and the person behind The Quilty VA. These days I spend most of my time helping quilt businesses thrive (and staring longingly at my sewing machine), but I started out just like everyone else: completely overwhelmed, armed with a rotary cutter and ruler, and absolutely no plan.
If you're new to quilting - or if you've been a quilter for a while and just wants to feel seen - this post is for you. Here’s my list of things I wish someone had gently (or not-so-gently) told me when I was starting out. May it hopefully save you from a few mistakes and give you something to giggle at along the way.
1. Fabric Quality Matters
When I first dipped my toes into quilting, I went for what was cheap and easy to find. This meant I went straight to my local Joann Fabrics (honestly, I’m still so sad about this store not existing anymore). And let me tell you, some of that fabric was so thin you could practically see through it or felt like it might not have been made entirely of cotton. Don’t get me wrong – shopping at Joann Fabrics is not a bad thing, but it was all I knew!
Eventually, I realized good-quality quilting cotton existed and behaves better and feels so so nice. It holds up to ironing, sewing, washing - and, most importantly, makes my quilts feel soft and cuddly. Now I still buy fabric that makes me happy, but I’m a little more mindful about what’s worth bringing into my stash.
2. Pressing and Ironing are NOT the Same Thing
When I started quilting, I treated my iron like it was a power tool or something - back and forth, full pressure, steam blasting like I was trying to straighten out a crumpled dress shirt on a deadline. I thought that’s what I was supposed to do. Turns out... not so much.
Pressing is more of a gentle up-and-down motion, not a full-body workout. And if you iron instead of press, your blocks will absolutely let you know - usually by being stretched just enough to throw everything off. Ask me how I know (I’ll point to a few wonky early quilt tops still hiding in my closet).
Eventually, I figured out how to slow down, press properly, and honestly just respect the process a bit more. Switching to pressing seams open helped me a lot too - it made me more intentional, more careful, and a whole lot less likely to end up with distorted blocks that didn’t want to play nice.
3. Trimming Absolutely Isn't Optional
When I first started quilting, I genuinely thought trimming was just... a suggestion. Like, something perfectionists did when they had time to kill. Spoiler alert: it’s not. Trimming is essential if you want your blocks to play nice with each other.
I learned this the hard way - after a few quilts where nothing lined up and my points looked like they were actively running away from each other. It turns out that even tiny inaccuracies in block size can snowball into wonky rows and warped quilt tops. Now, trimming is just part of the process for me - non-negotiable, like seam allowance or snacks in the studio.
It only takes a few seconds per block, and the payoff is huge. Cleaner finishes, less frustration, and way fewer seam-ripper meltdowns.
4. Not Every Scrap Should Be Saved
When I first started quilting, I couldn’t bring myself to throw away any fabric. Every little bit felt too valuable to toss - tiny triangles, awkward strips, the tiniest piece of print I just loved. Even scraps that were mostly selvage somehow ended up in my stash because I thought, “Maybe someday…”
It didn’t take long for my scrap bin to become a chaotic, overflowing time capsule of fabric I was emotionally attached to - but had absolutely no plan for. Eventually, I had to get honest with myself. I’m not going to use those one-inch pieces for some future foundation paper piecing masterpiece. I’m just not.
Now, I have a rule: anything under 2" gets let go. If I can’t imagine using it in the next few projects, it’s out. And I’ve got to say - my sewing space (and my brain) feels a lot less cluttered because of it.
5. Quilting Can Be Expensive
I was not prepared for how quickly this hobby would drain my bank account. I thought I just needed a sewing machine and some fabric... and then I learned about specialty rulers, rotating cutting mats, and the irresistible pull of limited-edition bundles.
But here’s the thing - quilting doesn’t have to be a spendy sport. You can absolutely start small. You don’t need the fanciest notions or 18 pairs of scissors. And if you love the idea of trying a new pattern? Make the wall hanging or baby size first. No need to jump right into a king size quilt project every single time. Your wallet will thank you.
6. T-Shirt Quilts Are Popular
When people found out I was learning to quilt, I kept getting asked to make t-shirt quilts. It was like the only frame of reference for quilting was turning old high school band tees into a blanket. And while that’s a legit and meaningful kind of quilt - it’s not the only kind.
For a while, I actually thought that was quilting. And honestly? It didn’t light me up. The repetition, the lack of variety, the stretchy knits… it just didn’t bring me the joy I was hoping to find in a creative hobby. I’m so glad I eventually found the world of modern quilting - full of bold color palettes, incredibly impressive designs, and patterns that made me want to drop everything and head to my sewing machine.
It was a turning point for me. Quilting stopped feeling like a task or a commission opportunity, and started feeling like something I couldn’t wait to come back to.
Bonus: I'm Glad I Didn't Know Free Motion Quilting Was Supposed to be Hard
Here’s something kind of wild: I did free motion quilting (FMQ) on my very first quilt. I didn’t know it was considered difficult. I didn’t know it was something most quilters wait to try until they've built up confidence with walking foot quilting or sent their quilts out to a longarmer. I just thought, “Oh, this is how people finish quilts.”
Why? Because I learned how to quilt by watching Angela Walters on Midnight Quilt Show on YouTube. She made FMQ look doable, and she was doing it on a domestic machine - just like mine. So when I got to the quilting stage on that first throw-size quilt, I pulled out the quilting foot, dropped my feed dogs, and went for it. It was messy. It was frustrating. But I honestly thought that was just what learning a new craft felt like. And I finished that quilt. I still have it. I still use it. And I’m proud of it.
Looking back now, I realize that jumping into FMQ without any fear or preconceived ideas about what I should or shouldn’t do was one of the best things that could’ve happened. No one had told me it was hard, so I didn’t treat it like it was. I just tried it, made some mistakes, and kept going. Sometimes, not knowing all the “rules” gives you the freedom to just make the thing and figure out what works for you. And I think there’s something really beautiful in that.
Final Thoughts
Every quilter starts somewhere - and most of us start out doing something a little wonky. And that’s okay. What matters is that you keep going, keep learning, and maybe laugh at your past self a little along the way. I certainly do every time I grab for my first quilt.
I hope this list helps you feel a little more seen and a little more confident. Quilting is a lifelong love, and it only gets better with time (and trimming). So here’s to strong seams, better scraps, and pressing like you mean it.
More Blogs by Olivia:
How to Embellish Your Quilts
You Might Also Enjoy Reading:
A Guide for Beginner Quilters
Caring for Your Quilts
Quilting Time Savers
Quilting Tools Deep Dive
Five Beginner Quilt Patterns
