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Piecing an unruly word quilt can be very liberating. The letters can be as wonky as you please: seams don't need to match and the spacing between letters is completely up to you.

With all this freedom, author (and Episode 907 guest) Tonya Ricucci does say, in her popular book Word Play Quilts, that observing a few simple guidelines can make your word play more successful. Guidance about the following, from her book, caught our eye:

1. Selecting the right fabric for the job
   a. For ease of readibility, keep a relatively high contrast between the letter fabric(s) and the background fabric(s).
   b. Stay away from busy, diagonal, and checked prints. These fabrics "blur" your words, making them hard to read. 
   c.  Avoid directional fabrics, which require too much thought about placement. This is supposed to be fun and easy, remember?
   
2. Cutting fabric strips 
   a. While it's possible to jump right in using strips that you have on hand, it's easier if you begin with strips cut for this purpose. 
   b. Cut an assortment of strips ranging in widths (7/8", 1", 1 1/2", and 2").  These sizes should cover most letters that you will make.
   c. Store cut strips (by color) in a baggie to avoid tangling
   
3. De-stressing about 1/4" seams
   a.  This free-form method of sewing is not about exact 1/4" seams. The general rule is to get close, but not to worry if you aren't perfect. Sew a straight enough line that the seam allowances will press flat, and with enough allowance to stand up to use without fraying.
   b. UnRuly quilting is perfect for group quilting projects, since you don't have to worry about consistent 1/4" seams.
   
4. The importance of pressing
   a.  Finger-press seam allowances flat when working on small units. Use an iron to press pieces with angles and when the entire unit is complete.
   b.  Be aware of bias edges created by so many random cut edges. Avoid tugging on the units as much as possible.
   

5. Turning mistakes into creative opportunities

   a.  Mistakes will happen as you are learning the process. Rather than discarding backwards letters use them to add a bit of charm to your quilt.
   b.  Save the small "mistake" unit and use it to stitch another letter.

Overall, Tonya stresses that this whole process should be FUN!! Relax and enjoy!