Thread: Tips of the Trade for a Beginner?

I am fairly new to hand quilting myself. You will need a good thimble that is not too small or too big. From my understanding, the smaller the stitch the better. Judges look for smaller stitches if you are going to enter it into any type of quilt show. I personally don't like my stitches too small or too big so your stitch length is going to be up to you. Learning to rock the needle takes a bit of getting use to. Youtube has a few videos on how to tie your quilting know and how to bury your knots so they aren't visable. Good luck on your journey! Hand quilting takes time. I met a quilter from Japan who had a double wedding ring quilt in the Paducah show. She said it took her 2 years of straight working on the quilt to get it finished. It was amazing!

Originally Posted by mickey13

Does anyone have any helpful tips of the trade that I should know about when starting a quilt? And any recommended backing that is the best for one who hand quilts? I plan on hand quilting all of my quilts and I would love any advice that people have. Also any other tips that people know about that they learned through their quilting life that I would only learn from mistakes and experience? I'm so eager to begin but I'm also hesitant and I would love to do this first one right the first time.

I have been a hand quilter for at least 40 years. I like to use the extra wide fabric that they sell at Jo anns that comes in several colors. It saves you having to quilt through the seams that are necessary if you have to piece the backing. I suggest you preshrink the backing and iron it before basting together the layers. I use the curved safety pins made for basting. The only problem with them is that they sometimes catch the thread so you have to keep an eye on them and remove them as soon as you finish quilting the area they are holding together. Depending on the size of the quilt I use everything from a rectangular floor frame to a large hoop, 36inches or so that stands on one leg to a smaller handheld round wooden hoop or plastic snap together frame. The thing I like most about hand quilting is that it allows you to watch TV or enjoy participating in the the conversation of others. It is also totally portable. I find it very relaxing.

i suggest that you not expect "perfection" with your first piece.

On the other hand, there is no reason to be sloppy, either.

Originally Posted by ManiacQuilter2

Great for you to try to do hand-quilting first. I always encourage new quilters to start with a small project like a table runner since it is going to be a learning experience.

Exactly! There is a lot of expense involved in quilting and while I don't like to discourage you, I also don't want you to spend lots of money buy everything you need to make a queen sized quilt before you know if you like quilting at all!

One of the reasons I came to quilting was the hand work. Check out www.jinnybeyer.com she does all her piecing by hand.... I was privileged to attend one of her seminars.... it's exactly what quilting meant to me when I first started on my quilting journey.

Thank you so much,I'll definitely check her out.

I do mostly hand piecing and quilting since 1985. I do not use a frame but lap quilt. I also use poly batting and a 9 sharp needle by Jeana Kimball"s byFoxglove Cottage. This has worked for me. I have done queen size quilts with no problem. I agree do not use Batik's. Vi

I suggest you don't use batiks in your first few quilts. Batik fabric is a much tighter weave and harder to hand quilt. And I agree start with a smaller project. It won't take you as long to finish and that will help hold your interest in quilting. Good luck.