So now here I am with quilt in a hoop frame all ready to get it quilted. Read all the instructions and since I am a very experienced hand embroidery person feel like quilting should not be impossible. But seems to me I must not be doing something right because when I push the needle back up thru------------the needle comes up way too far from where I want it to be. So what is wrong.......................wondering if the quilt has to be a little loose in the frame?

yes, don't have it too tight. Just keep practicing, before you know it your stitches will be getting smaller.

Yes the quilt has to be loose in the frame. I prefer to use hoop but to each his owne!!

Wow you guys are quick-----I just posted this. I think I will buy a smaller hoop to see if that helps. Just as soon as the snow and ice here in Hot Atlanta goes away. I am beginning to think Atlanta is joining the great white north!

how much snow and ice is on the ground?

No need for a smaller hoop unless it is more comfortable for you. I have 14" I think. What I like to do is once my sandwich is in the hoop, before I tighten the screw I run my fist around the entire inner circumference of the hoop on the backside giving the fabric sandwich a bit of a push. I then lay the hoop down on a flat surface (I use my coffee table) right side up. I then "test" the tauntness of it by placing my open hand in the middle. There should be enough give that your open palm hand and splayed fingers laying flat easily touches the hard surface. You do not want it taunt like a hand embroidery hoop. Once I do that I tighten up my hoop. If I am quilting away and still having problems I will make it even looser.

Hi: I am a hand quilter and have been for about 3 years. I quilt with a group and we use the frame with post. I had problems when I first started. The other quilters insisted I use a small needle. Quilting needle size 9 or 10.......I am now able to control the length of my stitches.......Hope this is helpful for you.

I prefer not to use a hoop. I find that it helps a lot.

I use a hoop and have to loosen the quilt sandwich so that the needle can rock up and down during quilting. I'll have to try feline's test. I also use a small quilting needle. Since I learned embroidery as a child, I had lots of rethinking to do to get hand quilting but I love it now.

I use a small needle also- my favorite is a 10. Sometimes I don't use a hoop either. Lately I haven't used it on my current quilt and it's going along great.

Just to add my two cents: Hand Quilting needs practice. It will need some time until you find the right tension of the quilt in your hoop, the best needle size ( I perfer a #11)and the technique you want. Try different tools and ways to quilt and just practice! Eveness is more important than the stitch length, this will probably change with practice. Have fun!

I don't use a hoop either. I learned to hand quilt without one and then could never could get the hang of using a hoop or frame at all.

all great advice...The other thing i'll add is when i push my needle down thru the fabric, I push it back up almost immediately....and get my rocking motion going. I will also say that i like cotton batting better because my needle seems to fall thru poly battings (like mountain mist).

I also use a size 10 needle, needles shorter than that, i have a hard time holding on to.

Just a thought mammafank, what about giving this a try: http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-89083-1.htm I am a starter hand quilter and I needed practise and a quilting friend suggested "Big stitc quilting" terrific exercise and feel more confident now :-D

And what makes those pretty is that the stitches are even....I think that's the most important part, working on making stitches even. But, i quilt in a couple different quilting groups, everyone's stitching is different, but in the end, the project still looks great and the fun is unbeatable!!

I would recommend not too small a hoop - I use a large oval.

Thanks for all the tips. I loved the large stitch quilting as it was just so visible and the quilt I am making is a folk art so that might actually look pretty good and I am sure I can do that.

We have about 4-5 inches here in Monroe area. More snow than ice here. But Atlanta has been brought to a stand still. There is a certain comfort in being snowed in----stay in the warm flannel pants, sit in front of the fireplace and sip lots of warm drinks and no reason to go anywhere. Being retired means it really does not matter at all.

I also like the large stitch. I haven't done it yet but I think it would be fun to do!
And if you are a beginning hand quilter it seems that it would be a good way to practice!!

http://inlinethumb01.webshots.com/43...200x200Q85.jpg This was my first attempt and I am chuffed with it, so quick as well.

I agree. I haven't used a hoop for years, but you need to be very careful that the backing is tight. Good luck. You'll love it and it's very relaxing once you're comfortable with it.

did i read your intial post correctly. You have never hand quilted and you hooped up a real quilt and started without having hand quilted before. This is not good. You need to practice first until you feel comfortable with hand quilting and then go to the real thing.

This link may help you figure out what size hoop will work best for you.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2042382_use-quilting-hoop.html

From my experience, most hand quilters will use a 14" hoop. I hope this helps.

Harry Barnett

I love that block---does it have a name?

The very first quilt I ever made I hooped and hand quilted. I think it is neat to see the improvements as I went a long, I am buy no means great at it but have already done about 8 quilts. And other people seen to like them.

I am pretty bad about thinking I can do anything. I am going to make a little practice piece today out of my scraps. I finished a "V" bock yesterday just to see if I could do it so I can use that for a practice piece. Still have the same batting scraps to use with it so that should be a help.

QuiltingaddictUK- I LOOOOVE it!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing :D:D

Okay, "chuffed" is a British word- translate please??? lol :D:D:D

I also wondered about chuffed.

Chuffed
–adjective British Informal .
delighted; pleased; satisfied.
Hope this helps!

I've actually found that if I try to practice first, it never happens. I'm better off just getting on with it on the real thing. I think it depends on your personality.

I jumped right in with both feet on my very first quilt too! I will post pictures of it when I get home.

Thanks, I needed that and with the advise here I think I can now do it. Found not using a hoop has helped a lot and I tried a larger needle. I just think the best way to do something is to just like you say............."just jump in with both feet and do it".
Cannot wait to see your quilt when you have time to post it.

Thanks Mattee----gotta love that name----DGD is Madelynn and we call her Maddie---not the same but close. Here she is with her little "broby".

You have to "rock" the needle to get tiny stitches. Google "hand quilting tutorial or utube" and it'll show you how.

Very cute!

Yay!! good for you. :D Can't wait to see yours. ;)

i hand quilt, don't use a hoop. i use a quilting frame to baste, then i use a glass table top, it's easy to spin the quilt and i start at the center and work my way out. my experience is that as long as the stiches are evenly spaced it turns out fine. good luck i think everyone finds their comfort zone

Holice:
You got it right...............I just "hooped it up" and now thanks to lots of support from others and great recommendations---------------I have unhooped it and it is really going great. Do not plan on being a professional or artist at this but rather just enjoy the feel of the needle in my hand.

me too, i enjoy feeling the needle..good luck