Has anyone hand pieced a quilt?
#1
I am actually taking vacation next week and we are going 'camping' for 4 days (yeah right - a 29 ft trailer does not mean real camping - RVing perhaps?) and I want to bring some handwork with me (I don't want to lug the machine for just 4 days....) - I want to start a Celtic Illusions quilt and since you can do a corner square technique for these, I thought this would be perfect for hand sewing the blocks when I get tired of reading or actually have to talk to someone (hahaha). The question is what type of stitch works best for hand piecing? Is a running stitch strong enough or should I use a backstitch? Also - what kind of thread - quilt thread or regular?
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Keene, New Hampshire
Posts: 4,211
Originally Posted by JNCT14
I am actually taking vacation next week and we are going 'camping' for 4 days (yeah right - a 29 ft trailer does not mean real camping - RVing perhaps?) and I want to bring some handwork with me (I don't want to lug the machine for just 4 days....) - I want to start a Celtic Illusions quilt and since you can do a corner square technique for these, I thought this would be perfect for hand sewing the blocks when I get tired of reading or actually have to talk to someone (hahaha). The question is what type of stitch works best for hand piecing? Is a running stitch strong enough or should I use a backstitch? Also - what kind of thread - quilt thread or regular?
Any good thread 50wt or 60wt would be fine.
I usually begin and end with a knot; some friends begin and end with several back stitches. I just feel safer with small knots.
I do a running stitch and if it's a long piece, a few backstitches too.
#4
I've hand pieced two quilts. I do the same as Gramma Nan - 50 weight thread, and a running stitch, with the occasional back stitch.
It's a very pleasant way to sew - and I usually don't have to unsew, like I do when I use the sewing machine. :)
It's a very pleasant way to sew - and I usually don't have to unsew, like I do when I use the sewing machine. :)
#5
I'm on my third, but I do mine the English paper piecing way, with the seam allowances tacked into place over the paper, then two patches are placed right sides together and whip stitched along the very edge.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
visit Jinny Beyer's web site, she is the queen of hand piecing huge wonderful quilts and she offers great tips and tutorials to help you along the way. i love hand piecing, it is so much more precise than using the machine,and you will be amazed how quickly it can go after you get the hang of it. i make lots of machine peiced quilts each year but am always working on a new hand one...usually get 2 or 3 small ones and one big one done each year, of course that varies depending on just what i'm doing, but i am always working on something (or a dozen somethings :) )
#7
Originally Posted by Lacelady
I'm on my third, but I do mine the English paper piecing way, with the seam allowances tacked into place over the paper, then two patches are placed right sides together and whip stitched along the very edge.
#8
Originally Posted by clem55
Originally Posted by Lacelady
I'm on my third, but I do mine the English paper piecing way, with the seam allowances tacked into place over the paper, then two patches are placed right sides together and whip stitched along the very edge.
Clem55. try this tute. its a pretty good one. There are many tutes if you google English Paper Piecing.
#9
I am handpiecing a quilt right now! I took 1 1/2" squares with me on our last camping trip and just started sewing! I never thought of the "weight" of the thread...just using regular sewing thread...after all, if it holds up to the stress of clothing, then it'll withstand the quilt's usage.
#10
Originally Posted by amandasgramma
I am handpiecing a quilt right now! I took 1 1/2" squares with me on our last camping trip and just started sewing! I never thought of the "weight" of the thread...just using regular sewing thread...after all, if it holds up to the stress of clothing, then it'll withstand the quilt's usage.
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