I am hand quilting a project, an irish chain, I haven't quilted in several years and even then consider myself a new quilter, I have only quilted 3 or 4 small projects. I'm kind of surprised that I have fairly small stitches, so I am pleased. I love all hand work. My question is, How do you quilt through the thick intersections, I have tried the stab stitch, up and down with one stitch, but then they are rather crooked. Do you plan your quilting so as not to go through any thick spots? When you are piecing do you press your seams open to avoid the thick seam allowances? Help!