Originally Posted by damaquilts
Well I learned in the last few days I do not ever again want to hand quilt through 80/20 Fairfield batting.I did want the old fashioned look when I washed it. What a struggle. I knew about the cotton batting but for some reason thought the 80/20 would be easier. I have a hand appliquéd quilt that I made years ago while recouping from surgery. So I figured since I am in that position again it would be a good time to finish it and pass it to one of my granddaughters. I finally took it out of the lap hoop and it was a little easier but my stitches are huge. I am contemplating tearing it out and machine quilting at least all the straight lines in it. Never again. I cannot afford the silk or wool batting so I guess its poly for me from now on for any hand quilting I do.
I use Warm and Natural (all cotton - warm in winter - cool in Summer) when I do my hand quilting with the 18" hoop. Have never had a problem. Every once in a while, rub your needle through your hair - remember our babies and we rubbed the safety pin through our hair and it put a bit of oil on it and it went through the 1,000 layers of diapers - nobody remembers that anymore! The needle in the hair worked for me. I didn't have to use the procedure a whole lot, but when I sat for hours quilting, it came in handy. Don't worry about spacing. The quilts way back done by us every day ordinary people were not daintily stitched either. Only the ladies had perfectly matched stitches!!!!!! Edie