how do you count stitches per inch for hand quilters
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 559
how do you count stitches per inch for hand quilters
When hand quilting what is the standard way to count the stitches per inch? Is it the ones with thread visible from the top or those and the spaces (stitches below)? When people ask, I always wonder which they are refering to. When I sold antique quilts online I always just mentioned that I counted top stitches only just to be precise. I am interested in how the members view this.
#3
I was once told it was the top and bottom stitches combined...Actually when I started I was obsessed with counting stitches...I drove myself crazy!! Now I just aim for even and neat and try not to count~!
#5
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SC
Posts: 1,909
My understanding is that the "old-timey" GOOD quilters counted top and bottom...so, if you were counting 8/inch on top you actually were doing 16/inch...I hand-quilted for years but was never able to do them that small.
#6
I think different quilters count different ways. In "That Perfect Stitch," Deidre McElroy says to count only the stitches on the top. Frankly, it's not really needed unless you're going into the hand quilting business, or if you're selling antique quilts.
Janet
Janet
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Fox Valley Wisconsin
Posts: 1,920
I was told that you count both the stitches that show on the top and the ones in-between on the bottom to get the "stitches per inch," but what is most important is that they should be evenly sized and spaced.
#8
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
I always answer this question with another question to the one who ask the question.........."How do you count stitches" If they say top and bottom then I answer accordingly......and if they say only top, then I answer accordingly.
To my knowledge there is no "standard" answer.
To my knowledge there is no "standard" answer.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 559
Holice, that is great advice. I shall remember that.
I can manage small stitches sometimes but it takes concentration to do it consistently. I do so enjoy the process and am disappointed when I finish one. For me, it is all about the process. Have very few that I have kept.
I can manage small stitches sometimes but it takes concentration to do it consistently. I do so enjoy the process and am disappointed when I finish one. For me, it is all about the process. Have very few that I have kept.
#10
I like counting the top and bottom - only because I just counted by current project and it's 20 stitches per in!! WOW!!
Let me add that I find the batting that I use makes a big difference. I currently am using Dream cotton -Request. It's a thin batting, and that's what is allowing me to get the tiny stitches.
Let me add that I find the batting that I use makes a big difference. I currently am using Dream cotton -Request. It's a thin batting, and that's what is allowing me to get the tiny stitches.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post