I hand quilt and hope you find the process enjoyable. I use a Comfort Thimble to hand quilt with and I love it, the company is out of Oregon but you can find them sold through several vendors online. I use Gutermann thread because that is what my friend who taught me to quilt recommended and I haven't had any problems hand piecing or quilting with the 50 wt. I learn too from magazines the library subscribes to, watching Fons and Porter on TV and episodes of Quilty online. I agree with several other posters start small. My first project was a modified table runner that is now a pillow topper. I recommend size 9 betweens or sharps to quilt/piece with. I also recommend thread snips they come in handy with handwork.