Hand Quilting - Stitches
#21
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When my mom tried to teach me to hand quilt( I was about 18) we were working on a quilt top made from those little pre-printed squares bought at dime stores( remember them?) The pattern was printed on, and I was going down one dot and up to the next. Mom informed me that I was doing it wrong and EACH dot was a full stitch, down and up on the same dot. I took one look at how close those dots were and gave up!! In my 30's I decided trying to make an embroidered quilt , also pre-printed. Mom's church group hand quilted it for me and that is exactly the way they did it. The hand quilting I see done now is not nearly as tiny, but if consistent, it is still beautiful. BTW, I'm 71 to date those times.
#23
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Hi, I just measured a couple items I have recently quilted. I seem to average between 5 and 8 stitches per inch. Years ago I could use a #12 needle and my stitches were a little finer. With age and arthritis I now use an #8 or a #9 needle. 20 years ago our county participated in a country wide quilt documentation project. We hired textile experts from the DAR musuem in Washington, DC to examine the quilts we were documenting. The ladies from there counted the stitches on the front and back. The first time one of them said 18 stitches to the inch my eyes bugged. If you divide that by two that meant 9 inches on top. In my 40+ years of quilting I learned the hard way that the weave of the fabric, the batting, the number of seams, the needle size and the type of hoop, frame or otherwise that you are using makes a difference in the size of the stitch. What is really important is the eveness of the stitches and the fact that the item is finally quilted. Ihave a friend who was also a handquilter for hire and who is left handed. Her stitches are unbelievably tiny. I stopped worrying about it a long time ago.
#24
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I touch my finger underneath and then push the needle back up. I really do not concern myself with the stitches on the back, they seem to just work out fine when the top stitches are good. What I should have said is that the stitches need to be even, both the stitch of thread and the space in between them! The best thing to do is mark a small project, like a pillow or wall hanging, and practice on it. It won't take long before you're quilting like a pro!
My fear is I will not do the bottom correctly. How do you know you are picking up all of the quilt in a stitch on the bottom? Without making the stitch to long?
Originally Posted by vanessa
Originally Posted by Pamela Artman
I think I get about 8 or 9, but more important than size is consistency. I tell my students to first work on making all their stitches the same size, both on top and bottom, and then with practice, work on making smaller stitches. Nothing looks worse than a few short stitches, then a long one, then short, etc.
#25
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
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If you are just learning then I suggest you strive for even stitches regardless of the number. Evenness is more important. With practice you can always improve for smaller stitches. Don't get frustrated at not being able to do the "expected" or "standard" number at first.
A good way to practice is on 1/16" or 1/8" gingham check fabric. Has lines and spaces to follow. 4 even stitches to the inch is ok at first. Then practice for 6 even stitches etc etc.
Also, don't fall into the trap of assuming that you MUST use the smallest needle. Start with the size you are comfortable with and then go smaller and smaller as you gain confidence.
If you are using a hoop I highly recommend the No-Slip hoop that you can get at JoAnn's. 14" is a good size. It is made so the fabric doesn't slip once you get the right tension for your qulting.
A good way to practice is on 1/16" or 1/8" gingham check fabric. Has lines and spaces to follow. 4 even stitches to the inch is ok at first. Then practice for 6 even stitches etc etc.
Also, don't fall into the trap of assuming that you MUST use the smallest needle. Start with the size you are comfortable with and then go smaller and smaller as you gain confidence.
If you are using a hoop I highly recommend the No-Slip hoop that you can get at JoAnn's. 14" is a good size. It is made so the fabric doesn't slip once you get the right tension for your qulting.
#26
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Originally Posted by mpspeedy
Hi, I just measured a couple items I have recently quilted. I seem to average between 5 and 8 stitches per inch. Years ago I could use a #12 needle and my stitches were a little finer. With age and arthritis I now use an #8 or a #9 needle. 20 years ago our county participated in a country wide quilt documentation project. We hired textile experts from the DAR musuem in Washington, DC to examine the quilts we were documenting. The ladies from there counted the stitches on the front and back. The first time one of them said 18 stitches to the inch my eyes bugged. If you divide that by two that meant 9 inches on top. In my 40+ years of quilting I learned the hard way that the weave of the fabric, the batting, the number of seams, the needle size and the type of hoop, frame or otherwise that you are using makes a difference in the size of the stitch. What is really important is the eveness of the stitches and the fact that the item is finally quilted. Ihave a friend who was also a handquilter for hire and who is left handed. Her stitches are unbelievably tiny. I stopped worrying about it a long time ago.
#28
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I probably get 8 stitches to the inch. But I agree that getting consistent stitches is more important than the number of stitches.
To me, good quality 100% cotton fabric and wool batting are the two biggest factors in getting a good stitch.
I have heard that batiks are a completely different weave (much tighter) than cotton quilting fabrics, and are a beast to hand quilt.
To me, good quality 100% cotton fabric and wool batting are the two biggest factors in getting a good stitch.
I have heard that batiks are a completely different weave (much tighter) than cotton quilting fabrics, and are a beast to hand quilt.
#29
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Originally Posted by sewingladydi
I probably get 8 stitches to the inch. But I agree that getting consistent stitches is more important than the number of stitches.
To me, good quality 100% cotton fabric and wool batting are the two biggest factors in getting a good stitch.
I have heard that batiks are a completely different weave (much tighter) than cotton quilting fabrics, and are a beast to hand quilt.
To me, good quality 100% cotton fabric and wool batting are the two biggest factors in getting a good stitch.
I have heard that batiks are a completely different weave (much tighter) than cotton quilting fabrics, and are a beast to hand quilt.
#30
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Hand-quilting is something that takes practice!!!! :D I've hand-quilted for years and if I don't do it for awhile my stitch count goes down. I usually do between 10-12. 12 when carpal isn't acting up. I try not to take any more than 3 stitches at a time, otherwise it is very hard to pull your needle through. The most important thing is to relax and enjoy it!!! Once this is accomplished, then work on getting your stitches smaller, say with the tiger tape. I practice on sandwiches with straight lines and curves with the tiger tape until I felt the rythym that you get. Atleast that's what happened for me.
Good Luck and remember to enjoy!!!
Good Luck and remember to enjoy!!!
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08-03-2014 05:20 PM