I have been hand quilting a quilt on an off for months. Some days my stitches are better than others. I'm not planning on entering my quilt in a competition so I don't really care if it's perfect, it's just fun to do. I'd say I average around 7 stitches an inch. Part of that is because I mistakenly chose batiks (with a tighter weave) and I am not using wool as a batting (which I've been told is like quilting through butter). I used 80/20.

I recently saw a vintage quilt and it was just astonishing with 12 stitches per inch (I got a ruler and measured because it was so unbelievable). It was a huge quilt and absolutely perfect. So it can be done --- but not by me! :P Good luck to you if you have the patience!

I've found places on the net that claim both front and back are counted and wonder if that is how the claims of "20 per inch" on some of the Amish quilts happens?

http://www.quiltersreview.com/article.asp?article=/tip/expert/011126_b.asp

Either way I think what is most important is an even stitch. I'm going to try the "Thimble Lady's" hand quilting method next (even though I don’t have one of her thimbles) and see if it gets tighter, though will continue as is on the current project since I’m happy with the look.

Does anyone here have one of her thimbles and if so, what do you think? Lot of bucks I’m thinking.

http://www.thimblelady.com/

I don’t really have hand pain when I quilt; otherwise I’d probably not do it at all:

http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/pac_ctnt_988/text/0,,HGTV_22056_58466,00.html

Yes, and that's what makes me believe the count (at least in this instance) was both front and back. I mean really if people still count differently, like the one site I posted, I'm sure the past was probably the same.

I'm happy with the look of eight an inch (one side!).

Dear Norah,

I have always hand-quilted my quilts and have always had the same concerns about it that most folks seem to. I spent years fretting about it until I realized that it just simply doesn't matter that much.

Stitches that are small enough to fill their primary function which is to support and stablize the layers is good enough, at least to that extent.

Small is fine; even is better and is now my first aim..also realizing that "even" should include the larger stitch size that comes when you are stitching thru a seam line,with extra layers of fabric to contend with. Stitches 1/8" long, or slightly less suit me just fine.

Besides, I've always thought the larger stiitches look cool and more "quilterly". With crippled hands, I'd rather focus my forces on perfect piecing; that's a battle I CAN win. Hope this helps.

Mary