
Not all quilters are created equally. Everyone has their own unique personality and style, and this shines through with every quilted creation. There are however some common problems all quilters face at one point or another. If you are a beginner quilter, or even a more experienced quilter looking for a handy tip or two, read on to learn about some of the common problems quilters may face and the quick and easy ways to fix them.

Related video: Tips for Determining Quilt Measurements

Related blog: An Ode to Blue Haired Quilters

Related blog: Keep Your Thread Long and Strong

Related video: How to Hang a Quilt on a Wall

Related video: Choosing the Right Quilting Thread
Armed with a few quick fixes, you’ll be well on your way to tackling those annoying and sometimes frustrating problems that quilters often face. We want to hear from you now – what are your best tips for quilting fixes?

Need help attaching cotton eyelet trim to binding. Between or see on top of binding
Hi Pamela. Thanks for contacting the National Quilters Circle with your question. The placement of a lace trim is really an individual preference. I might apply the binding to the back side of the quilt. Then, machine baste the trim to the front, using the binding stitching line as a guide. Then roll the binding toward the front of the quilt and machine stitching the binding near the fold. This would have the trim, inserted and covered by the binding and laying on the quilt top and framing the quilt top. Again – this is a very personal choice. It will be perfect, no matter how you decide to trim out your work.
Happy Quilting
Colleen
National Quilters Circle
I’m making a quilt for my little grandaughter and using fleece for the backing. I’ve nearly finished quilting and disovered I’ve cut the fleece too short on one edge. Any suggestions how I can remedy this?
I’m more of hand quilting, but I want to give a try to free motion quilting, thanks so much for sharing this post, it helps me to know what to do to avoid these quilting mistakes, hopes it goes well.
How do you improve your cutting skills for quilts
Hello Carol,
Thank you for being here! By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below:
https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/a19772
Thanks!
I’m building a Dresden Plate quilt out of my son’s baby clothes. The problem is that many of the pieces for the plates had to be cut on the bias (or any way I could capture them). This has resulted in some of my 30 plates (queen size quilt) being too full and I won’t be able to sew regular circles out of them because they’re large and stretchy-like, even though I ironed interfacing onto the backs of all stretchy/thin pieces beforehand. It’s like I could make some of the plates with 16 panels instead of 18 (is that kosher?). I’ve tried Best Press to no avail. I’m not the first person who has ever made a traditional quilt with baby clothes, right? Some of the plates are perfect, no problem. The ladies at the quilt shop are no help. What do I do?
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please click on the offer below:
https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/?add-to-cart-multi=1&products=1161&skipcart=1&coupon=C35782&vscid=C35782&skipcart=597341
Thanks
Sarah
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I used a jelly roll to make a Ribbon Candy Quilt by Doug Leko. I pinned the strips, measured carefully but the rows ended up wonky. Curved upward and the quilt top is not square. What did I do wrong? Is there any way to avoid this again?
Hi Susan. It could have been an issue with the pressing of the strips, as this can make a quilt look wonky. When you are sewing strips, it is always important to press after every new strip added. This tutorial isn’t necessarily for the same quilt that you made, but it is showing great technique for sewing strips, which you can utilize in the future:
https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/strip-piecing-quilt-techniques-003685/
Ashley
National Quilters Circle
I have a problem with my stiches on the reverse of the quilt looping not sure why this is happening
hi i am trying to get to grips with satin stitch,any tips?
Using a fine thread such as metrosene or gunterman always works for me. Also a size 12 needle. Set machine on a really close zigzag setting. I use regular thread in bobbin.
What can I do when machine quilting and the machine does not always pickup the bobbin thread. I sew several stitches before I realize it did not pick up. It does pick up after 3-4 stitches.
Hi Mickie,
Skipped stitches are generally caused by a dull needle. I would recommend changing the needle and see if this fixes the issue. Also, I would recommend going back and stitching over the areas where there are skipped stitches and then removing this bits of unstitched thread.
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
I really hate it when I’m piecing and the ends always get pulled down into the bobbin casing. I hate jumpers leaders and enders and I have seen where a lot of videos they don’t even back-tack when piecing but that makes me nervous. when I don’t back tack at least the ends don’t get chewed up. any ideas or helpful hints out there for me? I’ve been quilting for many years and this is the one big issue I have repeatedly
Holding your threads behind the foot will help. The bit of fabric used as a leader holds your threads so they do not rotate down into the bobbin case thereby pulling your fabric into the case.
These tips are really helping me. I wish you printed a newsletter.
I found you need to use the same ruler for cutting everything of the same project. Each ruler, including the cutting mat is slightly different, enough to make your block off in size when putting it together. There are several interesting rulers out there to square up the blocks and to cut strips evenly for a project. There are sewing guides to attach to the machine for long lengths of stitching evenly. Much more accurate than the blue painters tape as it doesn’t allow the fabric to slide past the measured scant ¼ inch. Also CLEAN your feed dogs and bobbin case between each bobbin replacement. 50w cotton quilting thread does leave lint as well as certain fabric. Adjust your needle position within the presser foot you are using to get the perfect scant ¼ inch seam. Change your needle often as they dull quickly. This will keep your stitches even. Change your rotary blade for even cutting.
I am quilting a queen size quilting a Juki 2010 q machine my thread is breaking and bobbin thread is knotting up what am I doing wrong?
Hello Debbie,
There could be several issues- first, insure that your machine is threaded correctly. Even if you think it is, it’s always a good idea to re-thread it to check. Next, change to a new sharp needle. If neither of these solutions fix the problem, check to see that your needle tension is in the right place and did not get bumped and is too tight or too loose.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle Video Membership
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
https://go.nationalquilterscircle.com/C11756
I am having a problem with getting the block size 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 squares are accurate and seams are accurate but I am always off on completed square H E L P
Hi,
The most common problem people have when their blocks don’t turn out the intended size is with piecing. You need to ensure that you are piecing with an accurate 1/4″ seam allowance consistently. Here is a good video explaining more about that and how to check it:
https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/seam-allowance-quilting-%C2%BC-seams-012111/
[https://www.bing.com/th?id=OVP.akomHbEHkyEZAImx8E_pYgEsCo&pid=Api]<https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/seam-allowance-quilting-%C2%BC-seams-012111/>
Seam Allowance for Quilting: All About ¼” Seams | National …<https://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/seam-allowance-quilting-%C2%BC-seams-012111/>
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com
Quarter Inch
Hope this helps!
I started quilting some years back using a (purported) 1/4” foot – the kind with the guide on the right hand side. My blocks never came out right. Turns out that 1/4” for was more like a 5/16” foot, which is enough to make a huge difference over several pieces per block and several blocks per row. I tried a lot of different ways to get the elusive scant 1/4”, but the best way I found was to put a 1” piece of tape (blue painter tape or day-glo ruler tape) very carefully on the 1/4” mark of my bobbin cover. It needs to be replaced every so often, but my seams are finally and consistently a scant 1/4”.
I sew a lot of baby quilts. I find that using a low or med weight batting is best. Also, I don’t like to do all the fancy tight, close together quilting. I find a quilt is warmer if there is air between the stitches of quilting.
Thank you for the tips … Especially the one about keeping your thread moisturized ?
In terms of measuring, I have often wondered whether the line on a ruler should sit ON the edge or BESIDE the edge of the fabric? I know it might only be a whisker difference but should I only see fabric beneath the measurement line?
Hi, Penny. I prefer to have my ruler sit directly ON the edge of the fabric as opposed to beside it. You are correct that it would only be a tiny difference if any at all, so I would just recommend consistency. However you choose to line up your ruler, do so the same every time.
I need help with the binding of my quilt. I am very confused on how to make my own and how to sew it on my finish quilt!. Please help!
Hi, Debbie. We have many videos on binding that may help you. Here is a great one to start with as it goes over all of the binding basics:
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/quilt-binding-basics-003553/
[https://d2culxnxbccemt.cloudfront.net/quilt/content/uploads/2014/12/05192746/003553f_K3013u_c.jpg]<http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/quilt-binding-basics-003553/>
Quilt Binding Basics – nationalquilterscircle.com<http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/video/quilt-binding-basics-003553/>
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com
Finishing a quilt with binding isn’t a difficult thing to learn. Check out these quilt binding basics from National Quilters Circle
We also have an entire video category on bindings that you may find helpful as well.
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/videos/binding/
Quilt Binding | National Quilters Circle<http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com/videos/binding/>
http://www.nationalquilterscircle.com
With the assistance of these quilt binding videos, binding your quilts will be a piece of cake. Explore these helpful videos to bind your quilts.
I have had every single mistake here. Number 2 is especially frustrating and happens a lot… I guess it needs practice…