Nammie to 7

This is a skill set I haven't really learned -- I do have a project in progress where I was learning to quilt with 2 thimbles. I really liked that. No sore fingers! It is always amazing how much I learn from this board -- thanks for the link!

Boston1954

I would think that it would just be the top. Mine are not perfect, but they are, from doing so many, getting smaller on there own. I looked at a quilt from 10 years ago, and they were about 1/4 inch. Yikes!

joe'smom

Yes, definitely just count the stitches on top. In the Thimblelady book I have, she talks about 12 stitches per inch, referring to just the ones on top (making each individual stitch about 1/25" of an inch). Roxanne McElroy also had that as the gold standard in her book, 'That Perfect Stitch'. But everyone I've ever read agrees that evenness is the more important goal. Even stitches look lovely, no matter their size. And some people just don't like the look of such a small stitch. Determine what look you like, and aim for evenness at that size. My spaces between stitches are consistently larger than my stitches, no matter what size the stitches are, and that goes for front and back (which doesn't really make sense when you think about it). I'm still working on getting the stitches and spaces to be the same size.

Onebyone

My opinion, too small hand stitching and you may as well stitch by machine. I always count on the top of the quilt, easier then turning over the quilt. I'm lazy.

lclang

I don't think it is important to make just so many stitches per inch, the most important thing is that they are even and neat. Don't stress over the small stuff! Some even do large stitches on purpose and it looks quite nice.

AZ Jane

I kinda pay attention to my stitches. I have even counted them on occasion but mainly, regardless of how many there are, I just love the look of hand quilting. It says something machine quilting doesn't.

Patricia14

Thank you for all your answers! I also prefer even and nice stitches rather than quantity. Thanks for the links!
Patricia (hand quitler)

WMUTeach

Thanks for this questions I have always wondered. I guess I am not as skilled as I thought after looking at the link in post #2. I guess that we all need a goal to reach for! I am happy with my 5 or 6 per inch and will work on more...maybe. Like others, I go for even rather than higher numbers per inch.

jo bauer

Who counts? I agree with even and steady as one can. I think it depends on the project for the size and number of stitches (if you count). If I'm quilting cutesy I use a larger needle and stitches, if I'm quilting something average or delicate, I go for the smaller needle and stitches. If one really wants to be perfect (contest quality, I guess), there are quilters who space their stitches with an empty needle on the sewing machine and then hand quilt thru the holes. Never wanted to take the time to figure this one out.

JanieH

Great link! I really enjoyed the article.