LaughingRain

Watch "How to Make An American Quilt" There are viewpoints from under the quilting frame. This just makes good sense if you can do it.

JANNY

I look all the time also. I found that it made me more aware to be sure that all my stitches get all the way through to the back side. I don't miss nearly as many now as when I first started hand quilting. Love it!

shaverg

As a hand quilter I spend as much time looking at the back as the front. I have started making smaller projects and using a hoop. I had a plateau tibia fracture and now cannot even get down on the floor and looks like recovery is several year out because of my age.

Piedmont Quilter

Still laughing at this one! I mean I'm laughing with you - not at you. I quilt on a Grace 3 rail frame, and yes I do get down under to see the back side. So do both of my kids, my husband and the cat and dog have both been known to take a peek. If your like me, you surely don't want any surprises when your quilt comes off the rails.

JCL in FL

I don't have a big frame now but I always did that too, when I had my large frame. Now, I just flip it over and look at the back every time I move my PVC hoop.. It's hard for me to put a print on the back of any quilts because you can't see the quilting as well. I use muslin or very plain fabric for my backs because I enjoy the backs as much as the front. I'm a hand quilter and I agree it's very relaxing and I love doing it. I don't know if I could hand it over to someone else to quilt, their my babies.

peabee

hi jcl, what batting and threads do you like the most for your handquilting? i'm a beginner starting on one of those preprinted muslin wholecloths. i was going to use a running stitch, but dont like the "spaces". what stitch(s) would you suggest? thanks for any hand quilt advice you can give!!

shaverg

Hi Peabee, from g shaver. I am a handquilter too and have been since 1983. If cost is an issue I use a batting with some or all polyester, make sure you can feel that it has some bonding otherwise you may eventually get what is called bearding after constant use ( the batting will start coming through the seams). Mountain mist or fairfield is a good inexpensive batting, use a low loft, easier to quilt through. For me cotton needle punched batting work really well, although wool is the best for hand quilting, but more expensive. I know many people try to save money on the inexpensive batting walmart carries, It is way too loose. There is a site I believe called BattyLady. She has cotton needle punched mountain mist which is great. but you want the needlepunched side facing the backing and the side the needles come through on the top side. Also the size of needle has something to do with size of spaces and size of stitches I use a 12 or a 10, nothing larger. I also rock my needle. But it is what ever works for you. I know some people use the stab method I wish I could do that because I still struggle through multiple seams and have to take one stitch at a time when I come to a bulky seam. I the smaller needles I get about 10 or 11 stitches to the inch, but I still have spaces, you will with handqulting. I like to be able to see that it is hand quilted otherwise I would machine quilt. Which I have to confess I am finally going to learn.

I know you will also get many good ideas from others on this site. I just started a couple weeks ago and love this board.

Hope this helps.

peabee

g shaver, thanks for so much info on batting and needles! yes, there are many, many great ideas from the creative folks on this site!!

OR Piecemaker

I laughed outloud when reading your note, but I suppose I'd be right there if I used a frame. I have only a hoop.

I'm just doing my first hand quilted project, and I'm working toward developing stitches that are equal on both sides. You all make it sound like that might be a joke!

Boston1954

I only have a hoop, but I like to turn it over from time to time. The one I am making for my cat has fish outlines. It is coming out really cute on BOTH sides.