I am fairly new to quilting and have tried both machine and hand quilting, I love hand better. I use a 16inch hoop curl up in a big chair and away I go. I do not use any thimbles at all, I use my thumb nail and push away from myself. I use Gutermann quilting thread and No 9 Betweens quilting needles. They are a bit hard to thread but I cut the thread on an angle and do not wet the thread but keep it stiff to help get it though the needle.I have tried the way everyone says with the the rocking method but my way works for me, I have done queen size quilts this way. I go for even stitches as much as possible rather than small and over a period of time I have managed to get smaller stitches. I am not too hung up about size though a I make mostly country style quilts and the uneven hand stitches I can get away with!! I did not know I would like hand quilting as much as I do, until I tried it, and now I am hooked!!!!!!
Gal