Originally Posted by dgreen
I was reading another post by all the people who love hand quilting. I was very surprised at the number of people who say it is relaxing. I did some hand quilting and it was exhausting. My right hand became so cramped I don't know how anyone could enjoy it. Could some of you hand quilters give some tips, or maybe even post a few pics on how you actually hold the needle and push it. Do you make your stitches sideways (needle quilting parallel to your body), or toward you (the direction a sewing machine would be sewing)? Would really like some teaching. Thanks!
It is much easier to show someone that tell them. I use a #9
between or quilting needle. I start at the top of a block and
quilt down towards the bottom (towards me). Any other route
seems difficult for me. As the quilting pattern takes a turn I
turn my hoop..so I can still quilt down towards me. After you
get to going you kinda do a rocking motion with the needle
as you put it down through your 'sandwich' and back up. Your
finger under the quilt helps you do this. I find I'm putting 4 or 5
stitches on my needle before I pull it through. I'm sure this
all sounds pretty confusing, but maybe you can salvage something helpful out of it