I should try small size fabric at first. If you use a consistent size ie 15inches you could join them and make a quilt after. I love hand quilting but recently had to give it up after an hand operation. I tend to hold in my hand get annoyed moving hoop all the time. Keep stitches consistent in size. Looking for a thimble, I put on false nails I find then excellent for pushing needle through fabric but best of all catching the needle in bottom before pushing back.
If you prefer a hoop try charityshs to buy one first. Here in England I have been to classes with two very well known world wide hand quilters who are also very good friends. One likes to have her fabric very taut in the hoop, items will bounce off, the other prefers a looser fabric. I believe when at shows they deliberately if they get the chance change each others setting. If I use a frame I use a plastic square frame find it far easier to handle than a circle. Don't forget to lmark you fabric well, I do find chalk wears off when hand quilting and air erasers fade before you finish sometimes.
Most of all I found not to be too critical at first and relax and enjoy that was where the blocks work.

Talking about applique I followed this rule with my reverse applique and found it was better the opposite way. Was I doing something wrong?

I have not tried reverse applique, so can't really comment. As with most things though, if you find a better way, go for it, there's no "right" or "wrong" - just different.

Jan, this was a great article about hand quilting....I do have a question or two, when using the perle balls, do you seperate the thread to get 2-3 strands, or leave as is?

Also, what is your favorite needle & favorite thread, you have listed several of each. I guess it would depend on the quilt itself though. Maybe I answered my own question.

Thanks & happy quilting!!
Charlotte

Most times I use a hoop in my lap - sometimes not. I use a Thimblelady thimble which is designed to push with the pad of your finger vs the tip. I, too, find it less stressful/painful on my hand. I also put a rubber tip on my index finger and quilt with my middle finger. Easier to grab the needle. I also keep a pair of pliers handy for those times when the sandwich just doesn't want to let go of the needle. I use #11 or @12 Roxanne needles with their needle threader. Other threaders just don't fit through those eyes. As to thread, I use just about any hand quilting thread that comes in the color I want. I also use Thread Heaven to condition the cut thread before starting to quilt.

I use a 'rocking' motion as well but recently discovered I seem to rock the fabric more so than the needle. And as others have said, consistency of stitches is far more important than number. I can generally load about 2-6 stitches on my needle. at a time. Depends on the quilting motif and how much quilting I've been doing at a time. The more I quilt, the easier and more consistent the motion. When first starting, it might be worth having a 'practice' sandwich nearby to start a few stitches and then move on to the actual quilt, just to get a rhythm going.

I usually pin baste, but if it's a really large (king) quilt, I'll thread baste just to cut down on the weight of the quilt as I'm working with it. I don't really mind the weight in my lap but when having to move the hoop, moving all that fabric, batting and then add the pins, it's quite a bit of weight.

Also, I mark as I go for my quilting designs. I use a #2 mechanical pencil on light colored fabrics and a Bohin mechanical pencil with white lead for dark colored fabrics. Have not had issues with either of these marking tools. I've discovered over the years if I mark the whole top, with all the moving, shifting, etc. most of the marks were gone before I got to that section so now I just mark as I go.

Good luck. I find hand quilting very relaxing and it enables me to still work on my projects while spending time with DH watching TV or whatever. It's a process - not a race.