hand quilting

[may]

Hand quilt I would like some advice. I would like to learn and would like to know your advice on frames, books, DVDs anything that will help. I have called the quilt shops in my area and none offer classes on hand quilting.

[quilterbee]

I'm interested in learning this,too. I know the quilt shows always have classes on handquilting. That's what I'm taking at the Nashville show.

I know that The Big Stitch is a popular method using Tiger Tape. I want to know both ways. Amie )

[sunsup]

I am not a hand quilter, but an expert is comming to our guild and she has a web site: cindyblackberg.com

Maybe that will get you started or point you in the right direction. I admire hand quilters, but I have no patience. LOL

Good luck and have fun.

[racnquilter]

I'm a hand quilter, a novice for certain, but... I use a PVC type frame small enough to be able to pretty much quilt a block at a time while I'm watching TV in my recliner. One thing I read somewhere that helped me was to not have it really tight in the frame and that will help in rocking your stitches. Please do not feel that you are doing anything wrong if your stitches are not small and conform when you start out doing this. I'm quilting my 4th quilt now and still do not have very small stitches, but I'm content with them and I fell that's all that matters. When I started out (not knowing any better) I just used whatever size needle I had, figured out (also from browsing the web and reading different sites about hand quilting) smaller needles give you closer stitches. Also a good thimble is crucial. I had never been one to wear a thimble and tried all different kinds before I found one that I'm comfortable with. There was a couple of sites that were really good at explaining a lot of this, but so sorry I didn't save the sites. I would do a search for hand quilting and you will find lots of places that will give you much needed hints.

Enjoy!!

[mic-pa]

I started hand quilting many years ago and I still have that first quilt. I look at it and "smile" knowing all the mistakes i made. My favorite needle to use is John James size 10. I put my quilt in a hoop 14" and when you first start concentrate on getting the stitches all the same. Not necessarily smallest. In time with lots of practice your stitches will become small. I used to hand quilt for other people but not any more. I only do it for myself and arthitis has taken over LOL. I also send a lot of my quilts to the long armer who does beautiful job. Marge

[rhonda1145]

I love the look of hand quilting and also find it's very relaxing.
I only started quilting a few years ago and that first quilt took FOREVER to finish but you will find that you get much faster as you practice. Why don't you first try hand quilting a small project like a baby quilt to get started? A thimble is an absolute must and I think a hoop makes the sewing easier.

Knot your thread and, starting from the back, pull the needle thru just until the knot "pops" thru the backing but not thru the top of your quilt. Put the thimble on your middle finger and then add two or three stiches to your needle before you use the thimble to push the needle thru the fabric. I also keep my opposite hand on the underside of the quilt to help guide the needle. Experiment with different needles till you find one your comfortable with.
My stiches still aren't perfect but they've improved with every quilt I've made.

Good luck!!

[majik47]

I started trying to learn hand quilting about a year ago, this information was pretty helpful to me http://www.handquilter.com/html/newtip.html

[JudyWoo]

I absolutely love hand quilting. For me it's very relaxing to do in the evening when I'm watching tv.

My sewing machine does fancy stitches and one of them is the "quilter's stitch". I've never actually used it ... just played around with it. You can make the stitches as long or as tiny as you want. I don't think I'd use it on a large quilt but I may try it on a small project just for fun ... like a table runner.

It's funny how it works ... the color you want your stitches to be goes on the bobbin and you put invisible thread through the eye of the needle and somehow things get all reversed and the bobbin thread winds up on top looking like hand quilting. Have any of you actually used this stitch?

Judy

[sewbug]

Use the best needles you can afford. I love Roxanne's needles and Piecemakers are good too. The batting will make a big difference in the way your quilting looks too. I like silk or silk blend batting for hand quilting. Even uneven stitches look good. Try different threads. I like YLI the best. If you are going to put all that time in hand quilting a quilt, then use the best of your choice of supplies. Don't think by practicing using poor fabric, needles and using thread you want to use up will improve your quilting or show good results, it won't.
I use a PVC floor frame, it's inexpensive, easy to put away and it pulls right up to me where ever I choose to sit. I used a hoop frame that you sit on and I really liked that too. A frame you have to hold in one hand, defeats me.

One of the best tips I ever got when I started hand quilting was to hold the knot of the beginning thread down on the quilt with my thumb fingernail and then pull the knot into the fabric. It goes in perfectly, never pops out or breaks.

[Michelle06H]

I just finished a hand quilting class online at http://quiltuniversity.com/'>http://qui ... rsity.com/
I really enjoyed the class and am finishing my first totally 100% hand made quilt.