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Last week, my mother and I discovered an avid quilter at the furniture store. (Somehow, we quilters just seem to gravitate to each other.) We shared quilt photos on our phones, and she asked if I had tricks for getting seams to come out right. I have dozens. Here are a few:

Aim for accuracy in cutting; use good rulers and templates.

Perfect a scant 1/4" seam. I use a quilter’s pressing foot with a guide.

Finger-press first, then use a DRY iron. Steam will always skew your project.

Wear good reading glasses, even if you don’t need them for anything else.

Have plenty of clear, bright light in your work space.

Plan the direction your seams will be pressed, so they’ll “nest” together like puzzle pieces.

If at all possible, swirl press wherever four corners meet.

Pin, pin, pin. When in doubt, pin more.

When you’ve pressed a finished block and it’s perfect, cool it under a weighted ruler.