Wow, thank you for saying this! I thought I was the only one who liked cotton for that reason. Maybe that's why I like hand quilting batiks, too. I use lightweight polyester batting sometimes, but I find I have to be much more careful or I stab myself.

I will admit that I'm really enjoying the wool batting for my latest quilt - it has a lot more "puff" to it than cotton. It makes the quilting stand out.

Janet

Another hand quilter here. I love the look of hand quilting. You'll definitely need a thimble for your top hand. I like the ones that have the raised edge so the needle doesn't slip off. I also use either masking tape or the little adhesive circles they have now for the underneath finger. It gets pricked a lot. I've used a large hoop and also have used the Q-snap plastic frame. Practice, practice... eventually you'll get the hang of the "rocking" stitch. Good luck.

Hand quilting can be a wonderful and relaxing.......just enjoy the journey! I found a thimble that has a ridge around the top and it has made all the difference for me. I bought 3 of them!!! And for me quilting in a hoop with the quilt sort of saggy helps. Just don't feel rushed and enjoy every stitch!

Hand quilting is not a race. It is a long slow process. I always have a quilt on the frame and hand quilt when ever I have a few minutes. It's relaxing.

I, too, used to handquilt but haven't for a couple of years. My profile picture is of a postage stamp quilt, a Anne Orr design, that has 6205 one inch squares that I HQ 1/4" inside EACH square. That took about a year, but other, less involved quilts would take about 3 months. The last quilt I HQ was one I started in 2003 when my Marine son went to Iraq. Terrible things happened over there and, for whatever reason, I just couldn't finish that quilt. Finally did in 2010! Anyways, TMI. As others have said, find what works for you - Different needles, thimbles, hoop size or no hoop. I finally settled on a Gold Eye quilting needle size 11, a soft double layer leather thimble, and a hoop that was 12" 'square' with rounded edges. You should be able to find a handquilter at your local quilt shop, guilds, quilt shows, or even your state or county fairs to give you a "hand." (I know, bad pun.):D

I have been hand quilting since the 1950's/ No of couse I am not that old. lol. In my 79th year and still loving the craft. Find your own way . I use a hoop,very short needle and a thimble . some do some dont. Get comfortable and enjoy it. JO

Don't be afraid to stick your bottom finger. I build up a callous on both the first and second fingers from sticking them. I use John James needles, size 9. My nails are a little longer so I found a thimble that is open in the back to allow my nail to stick out. I use a snap Q frame. I agree with AshleyR, a pre-printed panel is the easiest to learn on. That is what I taught my class with. I prefer the poly batting, I can get smaller stitches with it. But like everyone else said, find what works best for you.

Hand quilting is a VERY individual thing. All of the tips and advice submitted above are good, but, you must find what works for YOU. Be kind to yourself and don't get frustrated if your stitches aren't tiny and exactly the same length. Try different methods, see what works for you. I actually don't use a frame or a hoop (just baste the project well and put it on my lap and start quilting), I use Americana cotton hand quilting thread ($1.00 a spool at Joann's), beeswax to keep it from tangling, a thimble that I bashed with a hammer to make it fit better, and a needle to fit with the batting (usually a 10 or 11 "between"). EVERY hand quilter does it different. Find your own way and enjoy the process and the results.

Thanks all for some great advice, I will give it a try............Michele

Make sure you knot the end of the thread that you just cut and it won't tangle as badly.