I have done 2-3 from the Poakalani book. Well, finished one, started 2 more. The first one my stitches were really noticeable. The others are better, because I'm better. If you use a thread that matches the TOP part it seems to be better, and I suspect once you quilt it, everything will jive. Hand quilting takes me SO long though...I don't know if I will continue to do it this way, or do raw edge.