zozee

I've made several quilts now and like to do the binding by hand. However, I don't feel that my stitches are improving as fast as I'd like. Are there hints, tricks, rules of thumb for getting nice even stitches?

Tartan

I use a single strand of good quality thread and do the nearly invisible ladder stitch. I do my stitches about a scant 1/4 inch apart since that is easy for me to judge. If you really want your stitches exact, try marking the thumb (use a sharpie at 1/4 inch intervals) that you hold the binding edge with.

diamondee

Tartan thats a great idea, I bet we will see a lot more marked thumbs the fabric stores LOL

QuiltnLady1

There is something called Tiger Tape -- it has hash marks that you can use to follow when doing hand stitching. I have 9 lines per inch but there is also 12 lines per inch.

http://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...pe%2Caps%2C228

Homespun

As with anything you want to learn: Practice Practice Practice

NJ Quilter

I was going to suggest the tiger tape as well. As QuiltnLady1 says, there are different measured markings so pick one that is comfortable to you. JoAnns carries the product so it's easily enough gotten (provided you have a JAF near to you) and is quite affordable. I'm not sure I'd want to mark my nails with a sharpie. Although you could probably also use a sticky note with markings as well. Stick to the backing of the quilt and move along as you go.

luvstoquilt

I use a small, short needle and have found with a shorter needle my stitches are closer together.

ManiacQuilter2

I do what Tartan does, doing a stitch about 1/4". You can try the tiger tape just to get you going. Suddenly you will be able to judge a 1/4" soon.

willferg

I find using the ladder stitch hides any, uh, irregularities in my stitches, and as a result my confidence increases and I do a better job stitching.

quilterjody

This is the key!