I handstitch my tops all togather then send them out to be quilted.I love doing it but lately my eyes are getting so bad I don't see good enough to do it so ill have to start using the machine. Handquilter

My neighbor just taught me how to hand quilt. I have always loved the look of quilts that were hand quilted,it is so peaceful and gratifying seeing such beautiful work. I am excited toget started making a lap quilt by her specifications.
Stephanie

I used to hand quilt all my small pieces but it's so time consuming that I rarely do it now. I still like to hand embroider though, not crazy about the machine stuff.

I am fairly new to quilting (on my fifth) and I only quilt and piece by hand. I find it relaxing and like the fact that I can take my work anywhere (the piecing part at least!) I am drawn to old, antique patterns and quilts and I guess that's a big reason why I do it by hand -- I like to be old-fashioned. Another big part of why I quilt by hand is because I am afraid of the machine! I always seem to get the tension wrong or something weird happens and I can't fix it. I try to go too fast and mess things up. I try to go fast with my hand-work too but the general nature of the process forces me go slowly. Plus, I'm sure if I used the machine I would spend MILLIONS more on fabric because I would whip quilts out as fast as possible!

I still hand quilt. The look is so much nicer.

I try to do as much hand quilting as possible as I find it so relaxing, but it does take time.
I prefer it to machine quilting, but must keep practicing my machine quilting to get through my stash!

I just started quilting a few months ago and have taken two beginner classes. I'm working on a quilt that is 56x56 and kind of hard to fit through my machine, so I've been hand quilting it. I'm finding that very relaxing. I'm still working on getting my stitches smaller.

Mostly I hand piece but do use my machine for sashing and borders. I hand quilt everything. Working on my 7th quilt.

If I understand your question about quilting near the edges of the quilt....have you seen the half-circle hoops? They are joined at the 'diameter', and have an attached piece of cloth on which you can pin the straight edge of your quilt. Pretty handy for quilting near the edge.

Hello EllieGirl,
I have found, like you that when I first started quilting, I quilted a VERY large quilt that I had trouble getting through my machine. I have found that rolling your completed portion of the quilt up and anchoring it down with the blue painters tape helps. It will not leave any residue on your quilt. Or what I have done in the past, is go to Home Depot and purchase about 4 U-clamps. Again, tightly roll your quilt and anchor in 4 places. The only trouble with the clamps, is you have to be careful not to mar your table your working on. Hope this helps, it worked for me.
Stephanie