10 Bad Quilting Habits to Break in 2025

Quilting is a beloved craft that brings joy and creativity to so many. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned quilter, there's always room to improve your skills and get more out of this beautiful art form. With 2025 just around the corner, there’s no better time to reflect on some bad habits that might hold you back—and how to break them!

Here’s a list of 10 every day (in no particular order) quilting habits of leaving behind in 2025 so you can quilt smarter, feel more fulfilled, and truly enjoy the process.

1. Organize Your Fabric Stash

An unorganized fabric stash can be overwhelming, making it difficult to find the materials you need and slowing down your creative process. Without proper organization, you may waste time searching for specific pieces or even forget about fabrics you already own. To make your sewing time more efficient and enjoyable, take some time to organize your fabrics by color, size, or project type. Use clear bins, labels, or shelves to keep everything visible and easily accessible. A well-organized stash not only saves time but also inspires creativity by allowing you to see all your options at a glance.

Break the Habit:

Set aside a weekend to sort through your fabric stash and get everything organized. You’ll feel more inspired and ready for your next sewing adventure with a tidy and accessible collection! For some inspiration, here is a blog post to help.

2. Skipping the Iron

Pressing can feel like a chore, but skipping this step often leads to uneven seams and puckered quilts. Pressing your fabric and seams as you go makes sewing easier and creates a smoother finish.

Break the Habit:

Invest in a good iron that heats up quickly, and keep a pressing mat right by your sewing space to make it easy to incorporate pressing into your routine. Irons can range in prices, but remember this is a tool you will use everytime you sew, so get the one you can afford.

3. Try not to criticize or get defeated.

Quilting is a hobby that requires both patience and creativity. The process involves choosing the right fabrics, which can take time as you search for colors and patterns that complement each other. Once the fabric is selected, it needs to be carefully pressed to remove any wrinkles. Then comes the precise task of cutting the fabric into the desired shapes and sizes before sewing the pieces together. Matching all the seams perfectly takes skill and attention to detail, but the satisfaction of creating a unique, handmade quilt makes all the effort worthwhile.

Break the Habit:

Take a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come, acknowledging the challenges you’ve overcome and the successes you’ve achieved along the way. Take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come—whether it’s improving your piecing techniques, refining your fabric selections, or mastering precise cutting. Celebrate the progress you’ve made and take pride in your growth.

4. Ignoring Needle Maintenance

When was the last time you changed your sewing machine needle? Many quilters keep sewing with a dull or bent needle, leading to skipped stitches and potential machine damage.

Break the Habit:

Make it a rule to change your needle every 8–10 hours of sewing or after finishing a big project. You’ll thank yourself when your machine runs smoothly. If you are a longarmer, you should change your needle every quilt.

5. Sewing over pins

Sewing over pins can cause severe damage to your sewing machine, whether you’re using a domestic model or a longarm. The needle can hit the pin, leading to bending or breaking, which may damage the machine’s timing or even leave scratches on the needle plate. To avoid costly repairs and ensure smooth sewing, removing pins as you go is always best.

Break the Habit:

To prevent costly repairs and keep your sewing running smoothly, it's essential to remove pins as you work. Take a moment to carefully pull out each pin just before it reaches the machine's foot.

6. Rushing Through Binding

Binding is often the last step of quilting, and it’s tempting to rush it so you can finish the project. But messy or uneven binding can detract from the beauty of the quilt you’ve worked so hard on.

Break the Habit:

Set aside dedicated time to focus on your binding, treating it as an equally important part of your quilt. If hand sewing isn’t your preference, explore machine binding techniques for a polished look.

7. Overcomplicating Your Projects

It’s easy to get carried away with intricate patterns and complex designs, but biting off more than you can chew can lead to unfinished quilts and burnout.

Break the Habit:

Simplify your projects and celebrate smaller wins. Sometimes a straightforward design with beautiful fabric is all you need to create something stunning.

8. Forgetting to Test Your Layout

Skipping a trial run for your quilt layout can lead to color clashes or unbalanced designs that don’t reflect your vision.

Break the Habit:

Use a design wall or lay your pieces out on a flat surface before sewing. Taking pictures of different layouts can also help you see what works best.

9. Underestimating the Importance of a Sharp Rotary Cutter

Using a dull rotary cutter can slow you down and ruin fabric edges. It’s a seemingly small habit, but it can make a big difference.

Break the Habit:

Replace the blade regularly and keep a spare on hand. A sharp rotary cutter ensures clean, precise cuts every time.

10. Not Prioritizing Self-Care

Quilting should be a source of joy, not stress. If you’re spending hours hunched over your sewing machine without taking breaks, you could risk fatigue or even injury.

Break the Habit:

Schedule breaks to stretch, relax, and recharge. Make your quilting space ergonomic with a comfortable chair and good lighting. Your body will thank you!

Wrap Up

2025 is the perfect time to turn these bad habits into opportunities for growth. By making small, intentional changes, you’ll not only improve your quilting but also rediscover the joy that brought you to this craft in the first place.

Have any habits of your own that you’re ready to change? Share them in the comments below!

Looking for new fabric or quilting tools to help you with your resolutions? Visit our shop today for curated selections that will inspire your next masterpiece!

Happy Quilting

Cathy