“You’re Quilting Wrong” (Or So They Say)

“Guess what you don’t see? You don’t see how I cut the fabric wrong the first time in some places and had to sew pieces back together so that I could cut them again. You don’t see how many of my points don’t match up. You know why? Because I’m not pointing them out.”

If you’ve hung around quilters for more than five minutes—online or in person—you’ve probably heard:

“You’re quilting wrong.”

Sometimes it’s said out loud.

Sometimes it’s just a look.

Sometimes it’s buried in a “helpful” comment on Facebook.

You’re pressing the wrong way.

You’re using the wrong batting.

You’re not nesting your seams correctly.

You’re using the wrong thread, the wrong machine, the wrong everything.

As someone who longarms quilts for a living and sees all kinds of tops come through my studio, let me tell you what I’ve learned:

Most of the time, “you’re quilting wrong” really just means,

“You’re not doing it the way I do it.”

Is There Really a “Right” Way?

Quilting has a reputation for being rule-heavy. You’ve probably heard things like:

• Always press to the dark side.

• Never mix fabrics

• Only use this brand of batting.

• Hand quilting is “real” quilting; machine quilting is cheating.

Here’s the thing: some techniques make life easier. Some choices help your quilt lie flatter, last longer, and behave better on a longarm.

But one single, universal “right way” that fits every quilter, every project, and every season of life? That doesn’t really exist.

Some of my favorite quilts that land in my studio are the ones that would make a quilting perfectionist twitch:

• Points that don’t match

• Seams that wander a bit

• A wild mix of fabrics that technically “shouldn’t” go together

And yet, they’re full of memories and meaning. They’re made from baby clothes, old shirts, thrift store finds, and scraps that would’ve gone in the trash. They’re made with love, and honestly, that matters more than perfect corners.

When “Wrong” Actually Causes Problems

Now, I’m not going to pretend that nothing ever matters. There are a few things that can cause real issues when it’s time to quilt your top.

When I point something out, it’s not because I’m judging your skills. It’s because I want your finished quilt to look as good as it possibly can.

A few things that really do make a difference:

1. Wavy borders

If your borders are stretched or too long, they can ripple and pucker once they’re quilted.

Quick fix: measure through the center of your quilt and cut your borders to that measurement instead of just sewing on a strip and trimming.

2. Super bulky seams

When many seams pile up, the longarm foot must climb a "mountain." That can cause skipped stitches or distortion.

Quick fix: trim or “spin” your seams when you can, and avoid piling too many layers in one place.

3. Open seams or little holes

If a seam has popped open, batting can sneak out later.

Quick fix: give your quilt top a quick once-over before you send it—especially the edges.

4. Stretchy fabrics with no support

T‑shirts, jerseys, and loosely woven fabrics like to do their own thing.

Quick fix: Use a good fusible stabilizer on t‑shirts and be gentle when sewing stretchy fabrics.

These are the “wrongs” that matter—not because they make you a bad quilter, but because they affect how your quilt performs when quilted and used.

The Part That Really Matters

What breaks my heart: someone brings a quilt top and apologizes before unfolding it.

“I know my points are off.”

“This is probably the worst quilt you’ve ever seen.”

"Bet you didn’t know I had to go back and trim this block to the right size because I sewed some of my seams smaller than 1/4" and had to square the block up all over again."

“I’m sure I did everything wrong.”

Most of the time, that quilt is:

• A memory quilt for someone who passed away

• A graduation gift made from t‑shirts

• A baby quilt for a miracle baby

• A first quilt after years of being scared to try

That’s not “wrong.” That’s brave. That’s love.

At the longarm, this feels like holy ground. You trust me with what holds your time, your emotions, and your story. I’m not here to judge seams. I’m here to help you finish.

Learning as You Go

If you’re new to quilting—or just feeling rusty—here’s what I want you to hear:

• Your first quilt is allowed to be a little wonky.

• Every quilt teaches you something, even the “bad” ones.

• The person receiving the quilt is almost always seeing love, not flaws.

• You’re allowed to change how you do things as you learn.

As a longarm quilter, my job isn’t to sit in judgment over your piecing. My job is to:

• Help you choose designs, thread, and batting that fit your quilt.

• Let you know gently if something might cause a real issue.

• Cheer you on as you keep getting better.

Worried your quilt top isn't good enough? Let's address those doubts and talk about what really matters.

If you’ve hidden a quilt top because you think it’s not good enough to send to a longarmer, I invite you to rethink that.

Here at Six Kids Quilts / S.K. Quilts Studio in Alabama, I work on:

• First quilts

• Memory quilts

• T‑shirt quilts

• Show quilts

• And everything in between

You don’t have to be perfect to quilt.

If you’re unsure, you can always:

• Snap a photo of your quilt top.

• Please email it to me at melissa@sixkidsquilts.com

• Or head to sixkidsquilts.com and fill out the intake form.

We can talk through what you’ve got, what you’re worried about, and what’s totally okay as-is.

Let’s Get That Quilt Finished

If that “you’re quilting wrong” voice—whether from someone else or your own mind—has been holding you back, consider this your permission slip:

You’re allowed to learn.

You’re allowed to be imperfect and send me a top that isn’t show-ready.

My job is to help you turn your work into a finished quilt that can be loved, used, and snuggled—not to make you feel small.

So pull that quilt top out of the closet, take a deep breath, and when you’re ready, I’ll be here to help you get it finished.