jillaine

First off, I SEEK to achieve the Gold Standard of 12 stitches per inch, so please, I'm not looking for responses about quilt police or whatever you do is okay as long as it's consistent. I get all that. And I concur, but in THIS post I would like to know how those of you who have achieved a "black belt" in hand-quilting (say, over 9 stitches per inch) have figured out how to do it.

I've watched the video tutorials (which is your favorite? I haven't been impressed with the few I've watched so far); I've read through a lot of quilting board discussions; I've practiced both with a hoop and without (I baste ala Sharon Shambra - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA).

I've learned so far:

1. The short needles make rocking easier.
2. A thimble not only protects your finger, but assists in controlling the stitch length (not sure exactly how; I just know that I get better results when I use a thimble).
3. The Gold Standard is 12 stitches per inch.

I'm achieving 5 stitches per inch, with a one-stitch-at-a-time "rock".

I can achieve more if I do a "two-hand" single stitch-- i.e., all the way down with the right hand, pull it through on the bottom with the left hand, then do an "up" stitch from the bottom with the left hand, pulling all the way up with the right hand. BUT this takes FOREVER. And frankly, I think my stitches are less consistent and a bit messier.

What have YOU learned that has helped you reach a higher stitch-per-inch count?

Thanks!

-- Jillaine

Rebecca VLQ

I have read (but not actually done) that if you have your fabric looser in the hoop it's easier to do.

I totally appreciate the "black belt in hand quilting" reference. Tee hee hee! <3

dunster

I'm not a hand quilter, but I might become one if I knew the answer to your question. How long have you been practicing? I ask that because I think most of the answers you will get will be "practice, practice, practice"...

ptquilts

don't use Warm & Natural batting, that's for sure. I am using that now with a customer's quilt and it feels thick. I am used to a light polyester.

I just try to keep the stitches small, and don't worry about the count. Are you going for 12 per inch on one side?

Hinterland

Andrea "BorntoHandQuilt" will probably stop in on this thread and point you to a very helpful tutorial she posted about hand quilting. She does a fabulous job, one tiny stitch at a time. I use the rocking stitch method, and get between 12 and 14 stitches.

What you need to do is stack the deck for smaller stitches. To do this, I use certain things that have worked well for me:

1. Needles: I use a size 11 between. Right now, I like John James and Richard Hemmings. It is worth trying different needles because they react differently to pressure. For example, my last batch of Roxanne betweens slipped through the sandwich so quickly I stabbed my finger.

2. Thimble: I use a Roxanne or a TJ Lane thimble. They both have deep dimples that hold the needle without letting it slip around. Slipping = long stitches.

3. Batting: I get the smallest stitches when I use polyester batting, although I do a good job with cotton too. My experience with Warm and Natural hasn't been good, so I avoid any batting with scrim.

4. Backing: I use muslin. While I love to use batiks on the top and have no trouble hand quilting them, batik on the back is too much stiffness.

5. Tension: when I have the sandwich in the hoop or on the frame, I keep it loose. If it is too tight, there is not enough flex in it to make a good stitch. If you use a hoop, it should look like the cat just sat on it.

6. Stitches: Stitching on the bias is easier than on the straight of grain. If you stitch on the straight of grain, loosen the tension even more.

7. Practice: I didn't start out quilting 12 stitches per inch. I got there over time. Even now I still read anything I find on hand quilting and try new needles, because I never know when I'll find a hint that will make my hand quilting even better.

Janet

117becca

For me, I've gotten shorter stitches as I practice. But, I also have noticed that my shorter stitches come w/ shorter needles(took a moment to get used to holding on to them). The statement above about my quilt being a bit looser in the frame as also helped and the type of batting. The thinner the batting, the smaller my stitches.

The other thing is going thru layers - If I'm quilting thru a seam allowance, my stitches will be longer because I'm going thru more layers...Just my observation.

DJ

Thanks for the question, Jillaine! And thanks to those who have replied! The answers are very helpful.

pamabla

I get between 9-12 stitches per inch, and I found that the key to achieving this is to keep your fabric loose in the hoop. If the fabric is tight as a drum, you will never achieve small stitches; it needs to be loose enough that when you place your hand in the middle, the fabric actually moves. I use a size 12 needle also and a thimble (my favorite is the cheapest one I have, the pink plastic with the cut out for fingernail.) It is much easier to "rock" the needle when the needle is short and the hooping is loose. Hope this helps.

dakotamaid

"I can achieve more if I do a "two-hand" single stitch-- i.e., all the way down with the right hand, pull it through on the bottom with the left hand, then do an "up" stitch from the bottom with the left hand, pulling all the way up with the right hand. BUT this takes FOREVER. And frankly, I think my stitches are less consistent and a bit messier."

There is a gal in Texas (don't remember where) who does beautiful hand quilting one stab stitch at a time. She said in the article I read that she is actually pretty fast at it.

Glassquilt

12 on the top only or 6&6 top & bottom.
Both methods appear to be used. How are you counting your stitches.
This always confuses me.