I handquilt. I started out looking for consistency, and got it fairly easily. However, I wasn't happy with the size of the stitches. Okay, fast forward after many hand quilted items. I couldn't find any #10 between needles. I had #12s, #9s, and a whole lot of #8s. Where the 8s came from was, and still is, beyond me. However, I perservered with what I had. I tried the 11s... they bent. I tried the 12s... too tiny, but no bending. Then I tried the 8s. Yeah, the needle is bigger. I can actually hold it without my fingers cramping up after 20 minutes. And, the size is getting shorter. I love it.
I do not quilt in a frame or a hoop. I am able to control the quilt better, and can use it to keep warm in the dead of winter. I guess this is why I don't handquilt much in the summer. It is too darn hot.
However you go about handquilting, enjoy the process. All comes in time.