If terms such as bias tape appliqué and curved piecing seem intimidating to you, a beginner quilter, don't panic! Latifah Saafir - who teaches two beautiful quilting projects in her Modern Quilts With Bias Tape Appliqué class - believes that newbies can achieve anything once they set their minds to it. To help you get started on the right foot she shared her top tips for beginners and the one technique which completely changed her approach toward quilt-making.

What makes your quilting style and aesthetic unique?

I'm often referred to as a modern quilter, but I prefer the term "quilter" since I create whatever matters most to me. Presently, my hands are working on combining together a log cabin quilt - an old-fashioned traditional pattern that is being given new life with my personal touch!

What type of quilt do you prefer to craft?

Without even trying, I have an uncanny attraction to curves! If it involves piecing, appliquéing, or bias tape appliqué then my heart skips a beat. Whatever type of curve appears in the project will instantly grab my attention and capture my interest.

What is your favorite part of the quilting process?

Crafting the dream of design and making that last stitch on the binding is what brings it all to life. The process of actually creating a quilt, no matter how tedious, is where you truly see your dreams come alive!

That’s such a fun way of thinking about it. Since you love designing, tell us: what goes into your decision-making process when choosing a final look?

I let the quilt talk to me. Both of the quilt designs in my rainbow quilt are different, but they each reference clouds in the sky and that’s where you find rainbows. One is straight clouds, and the other is called Van Gogh, mimicking the swirly clouds in some of Van Gogh’s paintings.

We read your blog post about all the stressful conundrums you faced while making the rainbow quilt. How do you cope with those high-stress situations?

I try not to get stressed out when quilting. After all, this is our hobby and it’s supposed to be fun! But if I do get frustrated with something, I’ll often put it down and work on something else. If the frustration comes from a lack of skills and knowledge, then I try to figure out a way to develop that skill. Craftsy classes are great for this!

You also relied heavily on the quilting community — what does the community mean to you, and how do you recommend newbie quilters get involved in one?

Community is everything! And quilting is one hobby that has always been centered around having one. Check out your local quilt guilds and see if you find one that feels like home — you can find them in cities and towns, large and small. And if you can’t find your “people” in person, don’t be afraid to create your own group like I did when I co-founded the Modern Quilt Guild.

That’s great advice. What other tips do you have for beginner quilters?

Embrace being a beginner. Make as many mistakes as you can early on because this is how you learn. Remember that sometimes done is better than perfect. Pick a design that you love and dive in. Take classes. Learn tips and techniques. And most of all, commit to finishing. Then start the next one.

As you’ve advanced your quilting, is there one tip, tool, or technique that’s been a game-changer for you?

Glue basting on a wall! I hated pin basting and it would stop me from finishing my quilts. Glue basting allowed me to finish my quilts. The lesson there: if there’s something that you don’t love, see if you can find a more pleasurable way of doing it. There is usually more than one way to do anything!

We’ve also heard that sometimes you like to put on some ‘90s R&B music and sing while you sew. Is that your ideal creative environment?

I normally put on an audiobook; I love mysteries and comedies. If I’m in the mood for music, then you’ll find me listening to old-school hip hop, ’90s R&B or early ’90s country music.