bj

I'm working on an Argyle patterned quilt for my son. Top is finished. No picture as I don't know how from my phone. The block colors are gray, yellow and white, with black sashing. It's too big for me to quilt on my dsm, plus I don't want to quilt in light threads because of the black sashing or black thread because of the light blocks. So, I'm thinking I want to try big stitch quilting. I've watched a few videos and it looks doable. Any suggestions for helping me be successful with my first effort?

SusieQOH

Hi bj, if you are familiar with hand sewing it isn't hard at all and looks really cool!
I would just practice a bit on a small quilt sandwich- like a 12x12 piece or something of that nature.
Can't wait to see it!
Oh- about your phone. I have the same problem. So what I'm doing is sending the pics to my computer. Then you can play with it better.
Hope I've been some help to you.

bj

Thx for responding. I'm without a computer. Mine died a couple of years ago and so far I haven't missed it too much.

Faintly Artistic

I big stitch quilt almost all my quilts. Part of the fun of big stitch is that it doesn't matter if it's "perfect" or not. Make sure you have a needle you like. I like them long and thin. Practice on a small piece. The longer you do it, the better your stitches will be. Jo Glover's videos are very helpful. Have fun with it.

Jane Quilter

you may want to try a Sashiko needle and palm thimble for long stitching. Depends on how thick your batting is.....

Onebyone

Buy the 12 wt thread on the spool, forget the skein of thread/floss. I love Superior Sew Sassy thread for big stitching. I use a large embroidery needle. Tiger Tape keeps my stitches even without me having to perfect them with practice. I won a hand quilting award at a local quilt show with my big stitch. I didn't use a hoop or frame. I put the quilt flat on a table, sat down, and started stitching lines across it.

elnan

This could be a completely new subject or thread. Does your phone stand in for a computer? I never got into the smartphones, texting, or whatever. I'm just one step above the old rotary phone. Anything that requires a password is a stumbling block to me.

bj

Yes Elnan. I use my phone for everything (checking the quilt board and Amazon shopping). I don't do any social media or Pinterest. I have MSQC tutorials and Man Quilting as icons on my home screen, thanks to my grandson. I'm almost 70, and I'm as technologically savvy as I care to be. If I need fancier than that my husband, son, or grandson are willing to help, with a bit of teasing thrown in for good measure!

Faintly Artistic

One more piece of advice. Warm and Natural is hard to hand quilt through, I prefer Fairfield's 80/20 cotton or Quilter's Dream Select. I like Thimblelady XL needles for finer threads (12 wt or embroidery floss), anything thicker like Perle Cotton size 8 I use chenille needles.

My mother, who is 88, has never used a computer or cell phone of any kind...

Jingle

I prefer smaller stitches. I only machine quilt, sew binding on by machine too.