When I hand quilt, I load a number 10 quilting needle with as many stitches as I can before pulling it through with a rubber needle grabber. I only use the "stab"stitch over seams. Believe it or not, after the first stitch is loaded on the needle the next stitches are easier to put on. I use my index finger with a thimble to rock the needle towards the thumb on the same hand. The hand underneath is used to just feel the needle (tiny pick) coming through the sandwich. When you just feel the pick, that is when it is time to rock the needle back up to the top of the sandwich for the next stitch.