I'm more comfortable and make more even stitches when my work is hooped in a small wooden hoop.
When I was a young quilter, I used size 9 between needles, but I am older and my hands are arthritic. Now I use straw needles or milliners needles, size 8.
I like YLI glazed cotton quilting thread. It comes on big chunky wooden spools and they are hard to lose. I like that too!
And also on my list of goodies for hand quilting, this handy dandy little Clover needle case that keeps 10 threaded needles. Love it! It's terrific!
http://www.clover-usa.com/product/0/...ed_Needle_Case
Have fun with your quilting. And please post when you are done!