hand quilting stitches, etc. etc.
02-10-2011, 05:41 AM
#51
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Williams In.
Posts: 192
About 18 years ago my daughter bought me a queen size pre printed whole clothe quilt top. It layed in my Hope Chest for 17 years. I finally sent it to my neice who has a long arm, and she quilted it for me. It is beautiful, but to
your question, when I got it back and washed it, all the markings were gone, no problem.
your question, when I got it back and washed it, all the markings were gone, no problem.
02-10-2011, 06:14 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jasper, Georgia
Posts: 825
Originally Posted by feline fanatic
Sometimes I think we have been so conditioned on hand quilting stitches per inch and what they should look like. I myself have fallen into that trap, constantly trying to count my SPI yada yada yada. After handquilting 3 bedsize quilts and about 3/4 of the way done with my 4th I have finally come to the realization I quilt for myself and have decided that what I should shoot for is what looks good to me. I try to shoot for even stitches, that appear to have about the same distance of stitch showing as not showing and even in that I am not always consistent but I am happy with the result. Hand quilting does not look like MQ and we should not try for that. However i have seen some post here that they do a type of backstitch HQ stitch that does give the appearance of MQ. Again whatever makes the quilter happy and is pleasing to their eye is what matters in the long run. Unless we are striving to enter quilts into judged shows it should really only be what is pleasing to each individual. Judging goes by a much stricter criteria. That said, maybe a new trend could be started, much like MQ has now dominated the shows as opposed to HQ.
Regarding the preprinted wholecloth... I have never tried one myself. The marks are supposed to wash out but are highly susceptable to heat. So if the wholecloth was exposed to any sort of heat before you purchased it (like being in a tractor trailer or shipping container in hot weather where the inside of the container reached over a certain temp) the risk is there that the marks will not wash out. I think there are mixed stories out there for both scenarios. Those that have had the marks wash out no problem and those that could never get rid of them and did nothing while the top was in their possession to permanently set the marks, like ironing or leaving in a window where direct sunlight may have set them. I would like to try one some day but may just do as Andrea (Born to handquilt) and design and mark my own.
Regarding the preprinted wholecloth... I have never tried one myself. The marks are supposed to wash out but are highly susceptable to heat. So if the wholecloth was exposed to any sort of heat before you purchased it (like being in a tractor trailer or shipping container in hot weather where the inside of the container reached over a certain temp) the risk is there that the marks will not wash out. I think there are mixed stories out there for both scenarios. Those that have had the marks wash out no problem and those that could never get rid of them and did nothing while the top was in their possession to permanently set the marks, like ironing or leaving in a window where direct sunlight may have set them. I would like to try one some day but may just do as Andrea (Born to handquilt) and design and mark my own.
02-10-2011, 06:30 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Western Washington State
Posts: 548
Going back and looking at my hand quilting over the years it is clear I am much more critical of my stitches than I should be. The key is even stitching.
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this?
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this?
02-10-2011, 06:33 AM
#54
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Originally Posted by redbugsullivan
Going back and looking at my hand quilting over the years it is clear I am much more critical of my stitches than I should be. The key is even stitching.
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this?
I, prefer to use my fingernail but I alternate between my thumbnail and forefinger, going away from me and towards. I don't get as sore and the change does not seem to effect the quality of my stitching. Does anyone else do this?
02-10-2011, 06:38 AM
#55
Super Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 4,345
I don't use a thimble at all. Because I only load a single stitch on my needle I can grab it easily and pull it out of the fabric. I tried many times to put several stitches on my needle, but I prefer the "single stitch method". The result is much better - and after years of practice I quilt quite quickly that way!
02-10-2011, 06:52 AM
#56
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Central Coast CA
Posts: 1,918
The important thing about hand quilting is to keep your stitches even. It isn't important how tiny they are, unless they become toe-catchers!
I use my index fingernail to quilt toward me, and my thumbnail to quilt to the right and away from me. My thimble gets used when stitching to the left. Yep, I wear holes in my nails a lot. I've also worn holes in two thimbles, boy what a surprise that is when the needle suddenly stabs you!
Regarding preprinted panels, test a few small areas with a damp towel to see if the marks disappear when you first receive it. If they do, you can remark the lines with a disappearing marker after the areas air-dry. Do NOT use a hair dryer!
I SO admire those tiny hand quilted stitches made by some. And I've seen some handwork that looks just like machine stitching...but where is the point in that?? I'm happy with my 10-to-the-inch
I use my index fingernail to quilt toward me, and my thumbnail to quilt to the right and away from me. My thimble gets used when stitching to the left. Yep, I wear holes in my nails a lot. I've also worn holes in two thimbles, boy what a surprise that is when the needle suddenly stabs you!
Regarding preprinted panels, test a few small areas with a damp towel to see if the marks disappear when you first receive it. If they do, you can remark the lines with a disappearing marker after the areas air-dry. Do NOT use a hair dryer!
I SO admire those tiny hand quilted stitches made by some. And I've seen some handwork that looks just like machine stitching...but where is the point in that?? I'm happy with my 10-to-the-inch
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