I'm not getting this hand quilting thing.
08-29-2011, 07:26 PM
#12
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Clinton, OK
Posts: 1,736
Please do keep trying... It is a little challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it... so rewarding! I use the "thimblelady" thimble and "Thimble-it" dots on my underfinger... but still have a little callous going due to occasional sticks...
You know you're a quilter when you're proud of your little callous.
(sheepish grin)
You know you're a quilter when you're proud of your little callous.
(sheepish grin)
08-29-2011, 07:50 PM
#14
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 205
The most important thing is to keep trying and keep doing it. Eventually, you'll get it down! Unfortunately, there's no easy fix. It's like learning how to ride a bike. Practice, practice, practice, but once you get it down, you've got it ;)
08-29-2011, 08:02 PM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 662
I have to apologize. Your post made me laugh so hard and I know it is not funny to you. It sounds like everything that could go wrong, DID!
First of all, leave the frame for now. For a small piece you don't need it.
Second, any knot is fine as long as it will snap under the top and be hidden in the batting. I personally like the quilters knot and use it all the time for everything.
Third, just do one stitch at a time. It is just a simple running stitch. When you can do one stitch well, without problems, and you are used to using the thimble, then try taking 2 stitches, etc. I couldn't rock my stitches at first either.
Remember, there are no quilt police, so whatever works for you is OK.
First of all, leave the frame for now. For a small piece you don't need it.
Second, any knot is fine as long as it will snap under the top and be hidden in the batting. I personally like the quilters knot and use it all the time for everything.
Third, just do one stitch at a time. It is just a simple running stitch. When you can do one stitch well, without problems, and you are used to using the thimble, then try taking 2 stitches, etc. I couldn't rock my stitches at first either.
Remember, there are no quilt police, so whatever works for you is OK.
08-29-2011, 08:37 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Born in Detroit MI
Posts: 305
Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
I have
Needles: John James package sizes 3 through 9
Thread: Aurifil 40wt
Beeswax
Wool Batting
Q snap 11 x 17 lap frame
Thimbles: John James metal with the ridge on the top and a Comfort Thimble (It smells and my needle gets stuck in it )
I ironed 2 fat quarters, cut a piece of batting, traced a stencil on the top fabric, basted it all together, put it in the frame. It seemed too tight so I tried to loosen it a bit. I got an instant manicure trying to remove the clips from the frame. OK. Operator error obviously - since there are no instructions with the frame - the manufacturer must feel it is idiot proof. I arranged the fabric looser, put the clips back on, the fabric pretty much went right back where it was originally. Fine.
I managed to get my needle threaded! I watched 3 different videos to figure out how to make a quilters knot by wrapping the thread around the needle. It looks easy enough. Not for this simpleton. I wound the thread around my finger and made a
knot.
I know enough to start in the middle, I started off to the side a bit to hide my knot and brought the needle up through the fabric. I put the needle down through the fabric, stabbed my finger, pulled the needle out, stopped the bleeding, tried again. I got the needle down with no more bloodshed, using the thimble I tried to do the "rocking" to get a couple stitches on the needle. No joy - the fabric is still too tight. I tried to loosen it again. The frame fell apart. I totally suck at this and I am light headed from blood loss. Why is this so darned difficult?!
Needles: John James package sizes 3 through 9
Thread: Aurifil 40wt
Beeswax
Wool Batting
Q snap 11 x 17 lap frame
Thimbles: John James metal with the ridge on the top and a Comfort Thimble (It smells and my needle gets stuck in it )
I ironed 2 fat quarters, cut a piece of batting, traced a stencil on the top fabric, basted it all together, put it in the frame. It seemed too tight so I tried to loosen it a bit. I got an instant manicure trying to remove the clips from the frame. OK. Operator error obviously - since there are no instructions with the frame - the manufacturer must feel it is idiot proof. I arranged the fabric looser, put the clips back on, the fabric pretty much went right back where it was originally. Fine.
I managed to get my needle threaded! I watched 3 different videos to figure out how to make a quilters knot by wrapping the thread around the needle. It looks easy enough. Not for this simpleton. I wound the thread around my finger and made a
knot.
I know enough to start in the middle, I started off to the side a bit to hide my knot and brought the needle up through the fabric. I put the needle down through the fabric, stabbed my finger, pulled the needle out, stopped the bleeding, tried again. I got the needle down with no more bloodshed, using the thimble I tried to do the "rocking" to get a couple stitches on the needle. No joy - the fabric is still too tight. I tried to loosen it again. The frame fell apart. I totally suck at this and I am light headed from blood loss. Why is this so darned difficult?!
08-29-2011, 09:08 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southwest
Posts: 454
It takes some time to get comfortable with hand quilting, so don't feel bad. I use a small hoop, maybe 8", and it's not super tight into the hoop. I don't use rocking stitches for super tiny work, just a single stitch at a time. The only time I do well with rocking stitches is if I hold the quilt with no hoop. I also don't use a thimble anymore, if my fingers get too sore I use painter's tape. LOL I also draw blood at times, so I'm with you on that part. You have the right idea by just practicing over and over, eventually it will be second nature.
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