I am so sick of SITD. I made up a block for my next quilt and decided the it was too dark so I thought I would sandwich it and try hand quilting it.

My only question right now is what type of thread to use. Keep in mind, I only have a Walmart to shop at til I either get in town or order on line. Maybe just use my quilting thread for practice since this is only a 12" block and won't really do anything with it? TIA, Karen

My Wal-mart has thread just for hand quilting. You could try that. Good luck. I'm sure it will be just great.

If your Walmart has cotton fabric for quilting they should have quilting thread. Quilting thread is a little stiffer, because of the coating, I ususal use coats and clarks cotton coated polyester. I have tried the 100% cotton gutterman for quilting and for me not crazy about it.

I use the same uncoated cotton quilting thread as I use for machine quilting and run each length (about 18" at a time) through a little block of wax. Works fine! :-D

Same here, I use reg thread, run it thru the wax to coat it, it glides thru the material so much smoother.

You are going to love hand quilting! It is so relaxing!

good idea.

I love to hand quilt. it is so relaxing and I usually have something going, just to pick up and do while I watch TV. I always use YLI quilting thread. It sounds expensive, but it is strong and easy to thread the needles. I think you can get it on line, but nearly every quilt shop carries it. I like the off white and tan. They work well with every color. Enjoy your quilting.

I don't mind paying more for hand piecing/quilting thread as it takes less than half as much as it takes for machine stitching. When I started piecing and quilting on the machine I was astonished at how much thread it takes.

Like yourself, I'm having a break from the machine and doing some hand stitching and then will be hand quilting.

There is 'hand' quilting cotton that is slightly thicker, but I've found that machine quilting cotton is just as good for hand quilting.

Hope you enjoy sitting and relaxing whilst you quilt.

Just an added thought... thread a few needles before you start sewing. Once I was 'on a roll' and trundling along those seams, it's better/easier to have a needle at the ready to carry on with. :-)

Nothing like hand quilting!! You can get hand quilting thread at walmart! Have fun and just relax/

Is there a special kind of wax you buy?

What size needle do you all use?

I use a size 12 needle that some may find too small. It's a personal choice, but I've found that if I use a small needle, I can get smaller stitches. I also use contrasting quilt thread that forces me to do better work. I do believe that every hand quilter determines what works best for her/him.

Like others on this Board, I return to hand quilting because it's so relaxing. I have my quilting frame set up in my living room where I can listen and watch the television while I am quilting.

Another note: Do not be discouraged when you start to hand quilt because a curious thing has happened with my own quilting. I cannot do the extremely small stitches, but my stitches are even and regular--good enough that my hand quilted top won a Blue Ribbon at our local Fair. :lol:

I am a beginner, and what is the best way to get the "rocking" motion that hand quilters do?? I have hand quilted a table runner, and it looks....not so good!!

Notion guru

If you are hand quilting for the first time make sure you use polyester batting or wool batting. Wool is pretty expensive for first time projects. You will do fine, however, hand quilting takes practice, practice, practice. Also decide weather you are going to use a hoop or not as it is very difficult to change once you get accustomed to one way or the other. I use a baby spoon for under the quilt surface and find it successful and saves many sore fingers. Also, try using rubber finger tips (found in office supply stores) for pulling needle through the fabric.

Good Luck,

Notion guru

If you are hand quilting for the first time make sure you use polyester batting or wool batting. Wool is pretty expensive for first time projects. You will do fine, however, hand quilting takes practice, practice, practice. Also decide weather you are going to use a hoop or not as it is very difficult to change once you get accustomed to one way or the other. I use a baby spoon for under the quilt surface and find it successful and saves many sore fingers. Also, try using rubber finger tips (found in office supply stores) for pulling needle through the fabric.

Good Luck,

You can get a small block of beeswax encased in plastic to run thread across for hand quilting. It's usually hanging in the notions area at places like JoAnn's, maybe Walmart.

I find it easiest to use a lap hoop. This is the one I prefer:
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...APTOP-HOOP.htm
It swivels on a ball, so it is easy to move to any position. Having it sit in my lap frees both hands for the quilting.

A common beginner mistake is to hoop your quilt tight as a drum. Don't do it! You should allow enough slack in the hoop so that you can move the center about a fist's width in either direction -- in other words, very loose. This allows you to manipulate the fabric as well as the needle for rocking.

Check your library for hand quilting videos. Years ago I found one that helped me a lot. I also took a hand quilting class that helped. If I can find a good Youtube video demonstrating how to "rock" with hand quilting, I will post it.

Okay, haven't watched these through, but this one looks good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAiBobVNpVY
(Notice how loosely the quilt is hooped!)

and here is a 7-part Youtube video series (don't have time right now to check how good it is; one thing I wouldn't do is safety-pin baste for hand quilting; I would thread-baste):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgNuRW9ycK8

It's quilter's wax in a little plastic case with grooves in the sides where you run the thread through. I get it online from the UK but I'm sure you can get it there. :-D

Sorry - Prism already answered for me (note to self, read thread to END before replying! :oops: ) :lol: :lol: :lol:

When first hand-quilting getting your stitches to look the same is more important than how small they are. I may never get mine any smaller than they are now but I'm okay with that. I use quilters safety pins to baste. I hate hand basting. Have fun, enjoy!

I use a microtach to baste. I know some ppl worry that they'll keep catching the thread around the tacks but I don't find this to be a problem.

Also, I find the key to getting small, even stitches is putting the needle in as vertically to the quilt as you can for the first stitch. :-D