Greetings mate! I see we have another stitch stabber so I am not alone in doing quilting that way. It may take longer, but my stitches are pretty even so I am not embarassed by them (I would never put any quilt in a show, that's for sure!) but the family doesn't care and they love them. I cannot quilt the normal way because I too have arthritis and it is now in the thumb so I have to deal with that plus carpel tunnel but it can be fixed. I means 4 weeks in a cast and hubby has to do the cooking!!!!!!!!! One fringe benefit anyway (Maybe now he will be able to find things in the kitchen). Good luck and great to talk to someone from down under.