Is there a tutorial on this?
I did one drunkards path for a sample quilt in class the rest of the blocks pieced. Not sure if I did it right as I sure don`t want it to come undone.
Thanks Gale

I am doing a grandmother's garden right now. I read up a bit on it through some magazines and books I have here, but I don't know of any online tutorials. I am using recycled file folders as my templates. I have a ways to go to complete this project, but I am in no big hurry.

I'm actually working on it over my lunch breaks at work.

Hopefully others here will be able to put you in the right direction for some tutoritals! Good Luck!

Small running stitch, trying to keep the stitch 1/8" (this should be the the space between stitches or the stiches themselves). Stack about 4-5 stitches (whatever's comfortable for you) on the needle before you pull it through. Then backstitch the last stitch when you stack more it.

So you don't start with a knot, you can backstitch the first and last stitches. They shouldn't come out then. And knots can eventually wear holes.

I hand-pieced a tumbling block baby quilt for my now 7 yo son. It's held up through washings, balled up under the bed with the dust bunnies, and drug all over the house. In the beginning I wasn't sure it would hold up. I wasn't totally convinced that hand sewing was as strong as machine. I'm convinced now.

Gale, Becky on the About forum put together a great tutorial for learning to hand piece. She converted many a machine piecer over to hand piecing. The About forum was very nice and set up a special section for us, where we find interesting blocks and piece them together. You can find the tutorial here:

http://forums.about.com/n/pfx/forum....ting&tid=46396

Jinny Beyer hand pieces her quilts (most of them, anyway). She probably includes instructions in her books. She finds it faster to push the fabric unto the needle rather than running the needle back and forth through the fabric. I saw her do this on tv and it was simply amazing how fast she could piece with this method.

When hand piecing, it's traditional to use only one thread. It seems counter-intuitive but if you use two threads, it is thought that over time they rub against each other and are more likely to break.

Great information!

I second that Carol.
Sure had never heard about the one thread.
Thanks for the site CrispyQuilts.
Thanks Gale

I applaud hand piecers!

I am in a weekly group to hand piece and quilt. Am about to jump,fall or stumble into another group that quilts quilts by hand for charities, etc. You will love hand quilting for many reasons. (I also machine piece and quilt too) there is an amazing book by Jenny Beyer that our library carries. It is such an excellent book and have checked it out a couple of times. She simplifies hand quilting and lets you know that there are no set 'rules'..just guidelines to follow. We each have our own style and techniques too. My goal is at least 6-8 stitches per inch and your needle is your amazing tool. The right size can make an amazing difference in your sewing too. Here' the book on Jenny's site at: http://www.jinnybeyer.com/ax_commerc...0300017F005857

You will love it too!! Skeat

Also, do no be too critical of yourself. We always can improve our techniques, etc to our own goals. You would have a good chuckle if you could see one of my first quilts. It wasn't quilted at the time, just pieced. And, defin. some of my seams were a bit too loose. I didn't correct, or tear apart or I prob would have quit right there and then. I made my batting and backing sandwich w/the top and basted. Then I did some serious quilting on it:))It has been great!! And, has survived 2 kids, 2 dogs and a cat:))Keep us posted! Skeat