You use needles called 'betweens' - usually size 9 and you stab the threaded needle straight down into the fabric and rock it back up again so that you can stab it straight down again after you bring it up again. It is best if you can watch a demonstration from a skilled quilter, to get the correct starting and finishing of the thread. The important thing is to keep the running stitches that you make at an even length and evenly spaced apart. You will become more refined with practice. To start, you will need a thimble,a set of betweens,sharp embroidery scissors,hand quilting thread, a nub of beeswax and a quilting hoop.The thread is pulled through the beeswax to make it more easily pulled through the quilt.Some people don't like using it as it can mark the quilt a little, so they use specialty hand quilting thread that is pre - coated.
When you begin, you hide the beginning of the thread in between the layers of the quilt by knotting the end of the thread and inserting from the top, a little way away from where you are beginning to quilt. After you have brought the needle up in your starting position, you give a little tug on the thread so that the knot pops through the material into the sandwich of your quilt and is buried there. You finish off by making a double stitch in your last place, knot the thread and pop it into the sandwich in the same way. All the best!