hand quilting stitches, etc. etc.
02-09-2011, 02:02 PM
#41
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 732
Originally Posted by Butterflyblue
Well, I am just a beginner too, and your beginning stitches look better than my beginning stitches did. ;)
I have thimble issues too. It took me quite a while to get the hang of using a thimble, and my fingers are too large for a small thimble and too narrow for a medium thimble. I don't want to keep buying thimbles I can't use, so I make do with the small because at least it doesn't rattle around on my finger like the other one.
I like seeing everyone's hand quilting. This is exactly what I needed a couple weeks ago when I was stressing out about my stitches.
The first pic here is from my first day of hand quilting. The second is my most recent. Where the tape is is where I am currently working - the tape is to help me keep a straight line. The first row of stitches around the purple border is really large because I was using the squares on the gingham to try to make even stitches and not worry about size.
I have thimble issues too. It took me quite a while to get the hang of using a thimble, and my fingers are too large for a small thimble and too narrow for a medium thimble. I don't want to keep buying thimbles I can't use, so I make do with the small because at least it doesn't rattle around on my finger like the other one.
I like seeing everyone's hand quilting. This is exactly what I needed a couple weeks ago when I was stressing out about my stitches.
The first pic here is from my first day of hand quilting. The second is my most recent. Where the tape is is where I am currently working - the tape is to help me keep a straight line. The first row of stitches around the purple border is really large because I was using the squares on the gingham to try to make even stitches and not worry about size.
02-09-2011, 03:01 PM
#43
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southwestern Pennsylvania
Posts: 23
I have very large hands. Large and extra large thimbles are available....especially in the good quilt shops. You may have to pay 8-10 dollars for a good one but it is worth it.................My first "good thimble" cost me 5 dollars about 25 years ago or so....I took good care of it and it finally wore out but it is still the best fitting thimble....sure wish I could have it redipped to restore it.
02-09-2011, 03:03 PM
#44
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: UK side of the pond
Posts: 1,812
Hi, When I started quilting I was told my teacher that getting them even in length was the important issue. Once I had even stitching then to aim for smaller stitches. It is perfectly acceptable to use big stitches (as long as they are even :thumbup: ).
Hope that helps.
Hope that helps.
02-10-2011, 04:03 AM
#46
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Garner, NC
Posts: 16
I do mostly hand quilting, too, but still consider myself a novice at quilting. My question is - what's the best way to handle/turn the fabric to do designs that are not "in a straight line" or that require all kinds of turns? I've tried using the round quilt stands but it feels awkward and bulky to me. Maybe I'm expecting too much to be able to hand quilt in a "flowing" manner!
02-10-2011, 04:30 AM
#47
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 939
Originally Posted by gwparrish97
My question is - what's the best way to handle/turn the fabric to do designs that are not "in a straight line" or that require all kinds of turns? I've tried using the round quilt stands but it feels awkward and bulky to me. Maybe I'm expecting too much to be able to hand quilt in a "flowing" manner!
I don't know what kind of stand you have, but it sounds like it doesn't rotate. Rotating the hoop means you can always quilt towards yourself, making curves easier. Some quilters are happiest without a hoop.
I quilt in a floor frame, so I taught myself to use my thumb to quilt away from myself. I can pretty much quilt in any direction, although there are still a few odd angles.
Janet
02-10-2011, 05:27 AM
#49
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 1,507
I used to do HQ but once the longarmers got going I sent them off so I could make more tops. I never used a frame or hoop as I prefer the running stitch and drape the quilt over a small table with adjustable height and a heavy object to the side to help with the tension. Hollis has designed and sold some beautiful wholecloth tops. Tried to take a picture of my black on black quilting and white on white quilting but neither one shows up!
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