Originally Posted by Ranchwife

It is an up and down stitch - run the needle down and pull the tread through, then run it up and pull through. A lot of people do the rocking stitch where the thread is always on top of the quilt. I just can't rock the needle. I stab stitch using both hands - left hand on top to work the needle when it is on top of the quilt, and right hand on bottom to maneuver the needle at that time. It took a while to get used to using my left hand, but it made it so that I am able to quilt quickly. I also use a hoop and balance it on my chest in the front and the rest of the quilt in the back. It I get it positioned correctly, I never have to touch the hoop.