First off, I SEEK to achieve the Gold Standard of 12 stitches per inch, so please, I'm not looking for responses about quilt police or whatever you do is okay as long as it's consistent. I get all that. And I concur, but in THIS post I would like to know how those of you who have achieved a "black belt" in hand-quilting (say, over 9 stitches per inch) have figured out how to do it.
I've watched the video tutorials (which is your favorite? I haven't been impressed with the few I've watched so far); I've read through a lot of quilting board discussions; I've practiced both with a hoop and without (I baste ala Sharon Shambra -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA).
I've learned so far:
1. The short needles make rocking easier.
2. A thimble not only protects your finger, but assists in controlling the stitch length (not sure exactly how; I just know that I get better results when I use a thimble).
3. The Gold Standard is 12 stitches per inch.
I'm achieving 5 stitches per inch, with a one-stitch-at-a-time "rock".
I can achieve more if I do a "two-hand" single stitch-- i.e., all the way down with the right hand, pull it through on the bottom with the left hand, then do an "up" stitch from the bottom with the left hand, pulling all the way up with the right hand. BUT this takes FOREVER. And frankly, I think my stitches are less consistent and a bit messier.
What have YOU learned that has helped you reach a higher stitch-per-inch count?
Thanks!
-- Jillaine