Basically it is a small running stitch, but you want them even. It's been a while since I've hand quilted, but you would need the thimble to help push the needle through while doing 5-10 running stitches at a time. And I keep my hand under the hoop to be sure that I was catching all the material. With practice your top and bottom stitches would be very close in size. But the bottom line, is if you like it, it's ok. I look back at some of the quilting I did when I first learned. I had tiny little stitches, they looked great. I can't do that now, it would kill my hand. But hand stitching is beautiful.