Hand Quilting - Innie or Outtie ?
03-09-2012, 01:24 PM
#11
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IN
Posts: 1,153
I don't use a hoop or frame for handquilting. I just couldn't get comfortable with either one of them. I do a pretty fair job without using them, 10 to 12 stitches per inch. Remember that there are no quilt police and you should do what is the most comfortable for YOU. Happy Stitching!!
03-09-2012, 02:11 PM
#12
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 27
I learned to quilt in a floor frame, and now use a 14" square pvc pipe lap frame. I like the lightness of the pvc, but the small size means it has to be repositioned often. I also learned to baste the heck out of even small quilts, so after reading this post I am going to try without a frame!
03-09-2012, 03:04 PM
#13
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: dayton OH
Posts: 1,911
i use a 24 x 26 wooden frame - perfect for my office. I do use a leather coin needle and size 10 quilting betweens. I had to work my way down to the smaller needle. As others have said - do whatever you need to have fun! And relax!
03-09-2012, 03:11 PM
#14
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,594
Originally Posted by homebody323
I find the batting to be my worst enemy. If you are using a thick batting, try a small piece and use the thinnest cotton batting available. I love quilters dream batting. I use #10 between needles and a homemade rack. I agree with NJ Quilter. Just keep trying one thing at a time till you find your niche. If you don't like pin basting talk to a longarmer about basting for you. Makes a large project so much easier to handle and worth the fee for most people.
03-09-2012, 03:12 PM
#15
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Northern Lower Michigan
Posts: 109
Originally Posted by GemState
For me, quilting in the hoop is much easier. The secret is to have your quilt quite 'loose and saggy' in the hoop. It should move up and down 3 or 4 inches. Lots of people quilt without a hoop as well. It is whatever is easiest for you.
Originally Posted by Hinterland
I think some new quilters have trouble with the hoop because they keep the quilt sandwich tension too tight, like you would for embroidery. That's why hoopless quilting is so attractive to some.
Well, That explains a LOT!!!! Thanks!!!
03-09-2012, 03:21 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: NW Pennsylvania
Posts: 327
I prefer in a hoop of better yet, my no-baste frame. There are really no wrong answers as long as you are happy with the process amd prodict. I once read that some people take to quilting like a duck to water while others take persistant practise to "get it". Hang in there.
03-09-2012, 03:55 PM
#17
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VIRGINIA
Posts: 22,671
when i first leasrned to quilt in 1980 my teacher sewed everything by hand she didnt know how to use a machine and when she hand quilted she rolled as she went along i later learned to us a hoop now love a hoop just have to get used to it
03-09-2012, 04:40 PM
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,783
When I hand quilt I use a hoop, with saggy quilt as others have recommended. At first I had a hard time trying to quilt and hold the hoop at the same time. Then I got a Hinterberg lap hoop, which has a base so you don't have to hold the hoop, and I love it. I could concentrate on just learning to quilt, and everything was so much easier. Welcome to the wonderful world of quilting!
The reason you need the quilt sandwich to be loose is so you can manipulate both the quilt sandwich and the needle at the same time. You are not only rocking the needle and directing it through the quilt, but you are also flexing the quilt at the same time to help the needle along. It's much easier to flex the quilt than to try to flex the needle! Once I realized that, hand quilting was so much easier! I had a hard time at first because all the work was being done by my dominant hand, holding the needle, and the other hand underneath was doing practically nothing. Once I got that hand working just as hard as the top hand, my stitches were so nice!
The reason you need the quilt sandwich to be loose is so you can manipulate both the quilt sandwich and the needle at the same time. You are not only rocking the needle and directing it through the quilt, but you are also flexing the quilt at the same time to help the needle along. It's much easier to flex the quilt than to try to flex the needle! Once I realized that, hand quilting was so much easier! I had a hard time at first because all the work was being done by my dominant hand, holding the needle, and the other hand underneath was doing practically nothing. Once I got that hand working just as hard as the top hand, my stitches were so nice!
Last edited by JustAbitCrazy; 03-09-2012 at 04:51 PM.
03-09-2012, 07:21 PM
#19
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: South Louisiana
Posts: 255
Thanks so much for all the helpful advice. I tried in the hoop again with the quilt very loose like some of you suggested and it did make it easier. I am going to try different methods to find what I am most comfortable with. All of your suggestions are very much appreciated.
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