Has anyone used what is called "Big Stitch" when hand quilting? I saw a absolutely beautiful orange/yellow/green quilt the other day that had been done with big stitch in red and it was so pretty! I had never heard of it till last week. Can anyone tell me anything about it? Thanks!

big stitch quilting goes much faster than quilting 12 stitches to the inch====
some quilts really look fabulous with the big stitch quilting!

Big Stitch or Utility Stitch was popular in the 1930's and was often made using the heavier thread from sewing feedsacks together. The thread was almost like wrapping twine. It is done now with Pearl Cotton. Heavier thread required longer stitches. The attempt was to use any supplies available for quilting. Quilts were usually for warmth and had to be put together quickly and were made from discarded clothing The stitch is very much like the Japanese Sashiko which also uses Pearl Cotton and larger stitches. You might search under "utility quilting" or utility stitches" if you are researching.

When my late Grandmother was still quilting she used something like that, i just thought is was from sore hands

I personally use crotchet cotton when I want the big stitch. It adds another dimension to your work. It looks beautiful on a childs quilt. I use a larger eye needle and fairly big stitches. I have one quilt that was almost completed by some one I shared quilting with.....she had to move away and gave me the quilt to finish. It has large 4 patches.....I used the large stitch from corner to corner and at every corner I tied the thread. the quilt is both quilted and tied. The thread is something like Aunt Lydia's. You can get it at Walmart, Hobby Lobby or Joann's.

These stitches look particularly nice on folk art or homespun looking quilts. Seems to fit these designs well.:) Just my thought for the day!

i'd love to see a picture of one of these if anyone has one :-)

I just finished a large baby/toddler quilt using big sticthes, I love how it turned out after it was washed. Had great difficulty threading the needle but it turned out great! I too used crochet cotton thread, the kind that comes in large hollow cardboard.