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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 am 61 yrs young and I am going to start hand quilting on a small project. Thanks for all the pictures and comments! I am going to go buy some quilting needles...
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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.
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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. |
I use the Roxann thimble it is a little pricey but I found it to be the best and believe me I have tried them all
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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!
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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 |
I use a rotating floor stand or a Q snap frame. Curves are done the same as straight line quilting except limit your number of stitches on your needle to three or four max.
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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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At the aspiring point of perfecting the hand stitching, just trying to enjoy it but a perfect shade of lite blue on a shimmmering cream color is what I'm thinking of doing
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About 18 years ago my daughter bought me a queen size pre printed whole clothe quilt top. It layed in my Hope Chest for 17 years. I finally sent it to my neice who has a long arm, and she quilted it for me. It is beautiful, but to
your question, when I got it back and washed it, all the markings were gone, no problem. |
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
Sometimes I think we have been so conditioned on hand quilting stitches per inch and what they should look like. I myself have fallen into that trap, constantly trying to count my SPI yada yada yada. After handquilting 3 bedsize quilts and about 3/4 of the way done with my 4th I have finally come to the realization I quilt for myself and have decided that what I should shoot for is what looks good to me. I try to shoot for even stitches, that appear to have about the same distance of stitch showing as not showing and even in that I am not always consistent but I am happy with the result. Hand quilting does not look like MQ and we should not try for that. However i have seen some post here that they do a type of backstitch HQ stitch that does give the appearance of MQ. Again whatever makes the quilter happy and is pleasing to their eye is what matters in the long run. Unless we are striving to enter quilts into judged shows it should really only be what is pleasing to each individual. Judging goes by a much stricter criteria. That said, maybe a new trend could be started, much like MQ has now dominated the shows as opposed to HQ.
Regarding the preprinted wholecloth... I have never tried one myself. The marks are supposed to wash out but are highly susceptable to heat. So if the wholecloth was exposed to any sort of heat before you purchased it (like being in a tractor trailer or shipping container in hot weather where the inside of the container reached over a certain temp) the risk is there that the marks will not wash out. I think there are mixed stories out there for both scenarios. Those that have had the marks wash out no problem and those that could never get rid of them and did nothing while the top was in their possession to permanently set the marks, like ironing or leaving in a window where direct sunlight may have set them. I would like to try one some day but may just do as Andrea (Born to handquilt) and design and mark my own. |
Going back and looking at my hand quilting over the years it is clear I am much more critical of my stitches than I should be. The key is even stitching.
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this? |
Originally Posted by redbugsullivan
Going back and looking at my hand quilting over the years it is clear I am much more critical of my stitches than I should be. The key is even stitching.
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this? |
I don't use a thimble at all. Because I only load a single stitch on my needle I can grab it easily and pull it out of the fabric. I tried many times to put several stitches on my needle, but I prefer the "single stitch method". The result is much better - and after years of practice I quilt quite quickly that way!
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The important thing about hand quilting is to keep your stitches even. It isn't important how tiny they are, unless they become toe-catchers!
I use my index fingernail to quilt toward me, and my thumbnail to quilt to the right and away from me. My thimble gets used when stitching to the left. Yep, I wear holes in my nails a lot. I've also worn holes in two thimbles, boy what a surprise that is when the needle suddenly stabs you! Regarding preprinted panels, test a few small areas with a damp towel to see if the marks disappear when you first receive it. If they do, you can remark the lines with a disappearing marker after the areas air-dry. Do NOT use a hair dryer! I SO admire those tiny hand quilted stitches made by some. And I've seen some handwork that looks just like machine stitching...but where is the point in that?? I'm happy with my 10-to-the-inch |
I do use my thumb on the top of the quilt to control the size of the stitch. Most times, the stitch does not need to be altered but yes, sometimes I do that.
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I am not trying for SPI as much as I am trying to get my stitches even no matter what the length or how many an inch. Just even please..
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Another wonderful thread about handquilting. Wonderful help and encouragement. Right now I am doing my first and cannot imagine quilting any other way.
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Try for uniformity first. Smaller stitches will happen. A thimble is a must for me for controlling my needle.
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I forgot to tell you all one important thing. I wear a finger cot on the index finger of my right hand. This helps to pull the needle out.
Finger cots can be bought at quilt stores for tons of money but you can buy a box at a medical supply store for about $2.00. Wal Mart and drug stores also sell them in small quantities....best to try their for the sizing. Long ago, finger cots were used by nurses, to insert suppositories. |
Even spaced is more important than tiny stiches at this stage.
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I use one of the rubber finger covers that you use to free motion quilt that helps grip the cloth. They are big on me so I wrap tape around tightly several times to hold it on and to make it more resilient to the needle. I am like you, I can't do a thimble either and I ruined my fingernail with the needle.
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the short quilting needles are easier for me to use a thimble and make short stitches too. I did not learn to use a thimble till I started quilting. Keep trying to use a thimble..You will be glad you did. Also long fingenails were a hindrance to using a thimble. Hope this helps. AnnieMae
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Originally Posted by Baloonatic
The important thing about hand quilting is to keep your stitches even. It isn't important how tiny they are, unless they become toe-catchers!
I use my index fingernail to quilt toward me, and my thumbnail to quilt to the right and away from me. My thimble gets used when stitching to the left. Yep, I wear holes in my nails a lot. I've also worn holes in two thimbles, boy what a surprise that is when the needle suddenly stabs you! Regarding preprinted panels, test a few small areas with a damp towel to see if the marks disappear when you first receive it. If they do, you can remark the lines with a disappearing marker after the areas air-dry. Do NOT use a hair dryer! I SO admire those tiny hand quilted stitches made by some. And I've seen some handwork that looks just like machine stitching...but where is the point in that?? I'm happy with my 10-to-the-inch |
Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
Am I supposed to be aiming for a stitch that looks like machine stitching, or is my 'goal' the smaller the better? Seems like the smaller the stitching, the more space between them.
I also ordered a small wholecloth panel that I'm planning on using as the centerpiece of a queen-sized quilt, and I'm looking forward to planning an original design. Does anyone know about these pre-printed panels? Will the markings just wash off in water? I also already received some wool batting for the quilt, and am excited to see how it will needle. Trina With the pre-printed panel...do not iron it until you have quilted it because you will set the ink and it will never go away. Also, do not leave it for terribly long or the lines will not go away - my MIL had me quilt a cross-stitch whole cloth queen size quilt that she was supposed to hand quilt and the quilting lines would not go away. The top was about 20 years old when she gave it to me and I had to quilt it with blue thread to try to hide the blue lines. You will love the way the wool needles! That's the only batting I will hand quilt with, but I know that others use cotton or poly and like them as well. Sounds like you are having fun!!! |
I was taught that the most important thing is stitch length consistancy, either short or long - just be consistant. Practice, practice, shorter stitches will come with practice. Kim Diehl in her books even teaches the big stitch. Quit counting, takes the enjoyment out of it.
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I have a really tough time controlling my stitches with a thimble! I use one hand on top to stitch and the other to feel when I've gone through. Is this correct? I've never had anyone seriously teach me. I've just read books and tried.
I don't wear holes in my nails. I dig a tunnel in my nail bed. Yes, it can be painful. |
Originally Posted by Farm Quilter
Originally Posted by Happy Treadler
Am I supposed to be aiming for a stitch that looks like machine stitching, or is my 'goal' the smaller the better? Seems like the smaller the stitching, the more space between them.
I also ordered a small wholecloth panel that I'm planning on using as the centerpiece of a queen-sized quilt, and I'm looking forward to planning an original design. Does anyone know about these pre-printed panels? Will the markings just wash off in water? I also already received some wool batting for the quilt, and am excited to see how it will needle. Trina With the pre-printed panel...do not iron it until you have quilted it because you will set the ink and it will never go away. Also, do not leave it for terribly long or the lines will not go away - my MIL had me quilt a cross-stitch whole cloth queen size quilt that she was supposed to hand quilt and the quilting lines would not go away. The top was about 20 years old when she gave it to me and I had to quilt it with blue thread to try to hide the blue lines. You will love the way the wool needles! That's the only batting I will hand quilt with, but I know that others use cotton or poly and like them as well. Sounds like you are having fun!!! |
[quote=redbugsullivanWool?!? Where can you find wool batting? My DH has introduced me to wool socks and coats for warmth. I'm very interested in how warm it keeps you and how it is for cleaning.[/quote]
Wool batting is readily available here - Quilter's Dream, Hobbs and Warm & Natural all make a wool batting and Hobbs makes a wool blend. Wool does shrink more then cotton so when I use it I wash the batting - put in the washing machine with hot water, let it sit then spin the water out, throw it in the dryer for 10-15 minutes and all the shrinkage is done. If you don't pre-shrink it, it produces a lovely old-timey crinkled look to the quilt. |
Someone on this board told me that hand stitching should be uniform or concistent. Large stitches or all small ones, just make them all the same.
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My HQ stitches are slow, big, and uneven. But, I am happy anyway!
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if you concentrate on consistancy it will be more enjoyable for you. that's more important than how many stitches per inch.
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I agree with consistency. My first experience with hand quilting was hand stitching around the images in a pre-printed panel. I made my boys each one when they were babies. It was before I piece quilted but made many quilts tied. I like the relaxation of hand quilting and love it when I get in a groove and that is when my consistency comes.
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Originally Posted by Sing
My HQ stitches are slow, big, and uneven. But, I am happy anyway!
I LOVE the Quilting Board...you are allll the best! |
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I like a leather thimble with a metal plate in it. It seems to mold to my finger and I don't feel like I'm even wearing a timble. I cannot hand quilt on a frame, but I think that's unusual.
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here are some pic's of mine, I think the most important thing is to have the stitches even I have never been concerned with how many there are per inch.
I also have never been able to use a thimble I have tried several and always end up removing it and using my fingernail and the tip on my finger when my finger gets to sore I have to take a day off and let it heal. Super glue works will on the tip on your finger it makes the skin a little tougher, it also works for closing those little cracks I get on the edges of my nails. original design [ATTACH=CONFIG]141693[/ATTACH] double wedding ring [ATTACH=CONFIG]141694[/ATTACH] |
Aim for consistency. People say the stitches get smaller as you gain practice. Mine have never been really tiny but I try to be consistent in size. :thumbup:
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I hand quilt and I just hand quilt what is comfortable for me. I don't count stitches per inch, if I did I would go crazy. I think it is all in who is hand quilting. I just like the way it looks and what it gives to a quilt.
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I am just learning and I just try to do it so I like it and often have to take it out and go back and try again. It would have been easy to just say forget it but I really wanted to do it so much. :)
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