hand quilting

[Rillyrillygoodlooking]

I am currently hand quilting my third quilt.
I have only made three quilts, all by hand as I don't have a machine, and only actually finished one. The first one is for a double bed and is sitting in my cupboard as it has done for the last two years.

I use a 14 inch hoop and have only just started quilting using the quilting stitch - big and uneven stitches so far. Before that I was using stab stitch.

I am finding it difficult!

How do you like to hand quilt? Do you have any tips for me please? :)

Will be watching with interest....

I love making quilts, but I don't have a sewing machine and my handstitching efforts have all needed unpicking.

I haven't really had a go at it yet, despite having all the stuff. I know someone at sewing group who is a very talented quilter and she's taught me everything. I've only done machine quilted quilts so far but am due to start a hand quilted wall hanging (been ill so haven't started yet).

Do you find the hoop helpful? My friend does her hand quilting without a hoop or frame, just gets the tension she needs with her fingers.

The lady I saw hand quilting at a show would do 2-3 stitches each time of inserting the needle iyswim. She said not to go straight down through the fabric but to try and get a more natural stitch motion so the back is as neat as the front.

I don't unpick, I just leave it and I am calling this one my practice quilt :o

I am so clumsy with it that I don't have enough fingers to get the tension right and do the stitching! So yes, the hoop is useful. However I am mindful of it rucking up at the back when I put the quilt on the hoop.

It seems right that inserting the needle at a slight angle would do better stitches at the back. I am really struggling to get the needle back up without making a huge stitch at the back - if that makes sense.

i've done a bit of hand quilting and I used a frame. If you have a larger quilt it keeps it under control. You mustn't have it too tight though or you won't be able to do the stitches but just taut enough to keep the layers from slipping too much.

I was taught that you don't stab through but, as Rillyrilly say, you go in at a bit of angle and do sort of rocking motion to pick up 2 or 3 stitches in one go. The stitch size is more even that way. Difficult to explain in writing! It is quite a gentle action though.

Have you had a look on Youtube for advice? It might be easier if you can see what to do.

Youtube example.

The lady on here does the rocking thing. She doesn't use a frame but the quilt is spread out so I suppose it has the same effect.

Do whatever you are comfortable with. I find the frame helps me see what I am doing and makes for more even stitches but it might not work for you.

Oh Rillyrilly, I was quoting you and twigged you are the OP! Sounds like you don't need our help at all!

Oh I do! I was just saying that craftynclothy said made a lot of sense and repeated what she said at the same time!

I have youtubed various things but its nice to get people's opinions on what they like to do.

I also wanted to ask:

how do you baste your quilts?

do you mark the quilt design before you baste it?

what do you use to mark your quilt design?

The way I was taught was to start in the middle and do a running stitch out to the edges moving round in a circle and each rotation move 4" further out so your finished basted quilt has criss crossing running stitch all over.

However, I haven't done it like that for ages as I have a basting gun. They are great but some people don't like them and it can be a pain to get staples out. It is a lot quicker and kinder on the knees though!

I don't know if it is the right way but I put the pattern on after basting as the pattern lines can rub off whilst you are doing the basting, I find.

There are loads of different pencils around (and water soluble pens that rub off with a damp cloth or finger) but the one that seems to be popular with a lot of quilters I know is the Sewline pencil. It is like a propelling pencil and you can change the colour of the lead to suit the different colour of the fabric you are working on. They make a decent line without much effort which I don't find with some other cheaper ones. They also have a rubber too to rub the lines out afterwards!

I linked to the Youtube to better explain the rocking motion I was talking about. As I say, it is difficult to explain and I wasn't sure I did it very well.