Hinterland

If you are stab stitching, the top can be reasonably tight in the hoop. As for the back, use a busy print. No one will be able to see the stitches that way. As you practice, the stitches will look better.

There is no one way to hand quilt. I find the rocking method works best for me, but many talented hand quilters use the stab method.

Best of luck.

Janet

AZ Jane

I know hand quilting is very tradition with many rules and regulations of what is proper. But give yourself a break and consider hoopless hand quilting. There are several videos on google.

bearisgray

It is more efficient to work with lengths of thread less than two yards long!

Much as I dislike stopping to knot and bury a thread, it does make sense to work with lengths no more than 24 inches long. A lot of books say to use 18 inches.

What I have done, though - because I dislike stopping so much - I will cut a longer length - then leave a "tail" of about half of it - when I use up the first half - then I go the second half of the thread and finish that off.

Jane Quilter

I always hand quit without a hoop, where the left hand helps feed the needle. Less stress on both hands. So relaxing. I will have to go look at the videos. Just keep practicing on small sandwiched scraps.

Bree123

There are hands-free quilt hoops -- I have one by ThimbleLady that has a t-bar that you sit on & it holds the hoop above my lap & at an angle so the work is not so hard on my back; it rotates 360 degrees so I don't have to try to contort my hand like with the floor stands. And, of course, there are also the stand hoops that also rotate (hoop on a pedestal). For those of us with advanced arthritis in our neck & back (I got it young because I have a very long neck), not having to bend over so much to see our work is a wonderful thing! Plus, I'm thinking of maybe getting a magnifier soon, too. I have almost 20/20 vision, but I guess we're not made to see such tiny stitches 3' away from our face -- go figure!