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I'm different from everyone who had the art of hand quilting mastered. I struggle with the "multiple stitches on the needle method". So, I use the Morgan Lap Stand, which has two hoops with supports in between them. You rest the bottom hoop on your lap and the upper hoop is closer to your eyes and is at a comfortable height to quilt.
My method? I quilt up and down. Up and down. Up an down. Nothing fancy. It may take longer and sometimes my stitches are a little out of line, but I find it's the easiest way for me to quilt. Must add: I have some issues with my hands and this method is gentle on them. Here a couple pics of some stitches in the quilt I'm trying to finish. Darn binding! Gotta get to it. Been sitting here for days just waiting for me to get started on it. |
I quilt towards me. It seems to work for me. Notice the for me part.
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It might be your thimble. Using the tip of your finger should work but if the thimble doesn't fit properly, or if there is not a deep enough indentation in the tip to keep the needle from sliding, it could be laborious. Too, like any new skill, it just takes some practice and getting used to. I suspect that, if you hang in there, you will find the method that works best for you. I use a hoop and quilt towards myself but I've seen people quilt beautifully by pushing the needle away from themselves using their thumb!
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I'm getting better at quilting in all directions, if I have to. Usually I'm quilting toward myself or right to left. I prefer using a rectangular PVC snap frame for your lap. With a little bit of arthritis in my middle finger, sometimes I switch the thimble to my index finger. Also, I've found that I use a smaller thimble in the winter time - my fingers seem to swell in the summer heat.
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I too, handquilt and find it so relaxing. In fact, I stink at quilt tops (still trying oh so hard to master even and perfect blocks!!) but I do love handquilting. I also quilt toward me with a metal thimble. I have seen countless women who stitch towards them AND away from them & have tried and tried. So far, I have not mastered it. I think if you practice and don't put so much effort into it, just relax, you will find out if you truly enjoy it.
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Hey, don't worry about "stab" stitching. I quilted for at least 10 years before I put more than two stitches at a time on the needle. I have some work I did stab stitching and it is probably the best quilting I ever did.
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Originally Posted by dgreen
I was reading another post by all the people who love hand quilting. I was very surprised at the number of people who say it is relaxing. I did some hand quilting and it was exhausting. My right hand became so cramped I don't know how anyone could enjoy it. Could some of you hand quilters give some tips, or maybe even post a few pics on how you actually hold the needle and push it. Do you make your stitches sideways (needle quilting parallel to your body), or toward you (the direction a sewing machine would be sewing)? Would really like some teaching. Thanks!
between or quilting needle. I start at the top of a block and quilt down towards the bottom (towards me). Any other route seems difficult for me. As the quilting pattern takes a turn I turn my hoop..so I can still quilt down towards me. After you get to going you kinda do a rocking motion with the needle as you put it down through your 'sandwich' and back up. Your finger under the quilt helps you do this. I find I'm putting 4 or 5 stitches on my needle before I pull it through. I'm sure this all sounds pretty confusing, but maybe you can salvage something helpful out of it |
I don't hand quilt but wanted to say I like your quilt and I thing you did a great job! :-)
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It takes alot of practise. 20 minutes a day to start with. I have hand quilted for 30 yrs
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I am fairly new to quilting and have tried both machine and hand quilting, I love hand better. I use a 16inch hoop curl up in a big chair and away I go. I do not use any thimbles at all, I use my thumb nail and push away from myself. I use Gutermann quilting thread and No 9 Betweens quilting needles. They are a bit hard to thread but I cut the thread on an angle and do not wet the thread but keep it stiff to help get it though the needle.I have tried the way everyone says with the the rocking method but my way works for me, I have done queen size quilts this way. I go for even stitches as much as possible rather than small and over a period of time I have managed to get smaller stitches. I am not too hung up about size though a I make mostly country style quilts and the uneven hand stitches I can get away with!! I did not know I would like hand quilting as much as I do, until I tried it, and now I am hooked!!!!!!
Gal |
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