I agree with several others, smaller needle and loosen the tension on your quilt. Warm and natural does make for less stiches, but I love the feel of it, so often I just go for consistancy. Practice is about all you can do!!

Can you explain this further? I don't think I've heard the term before, and I can't quite visualize it. Is it just a weight on the quilt? Are you using a frame/hoop?
Hmmm. I think that would be a compliment (especially from a non-quilter).

It's not that you're trying to duplicate a machine quilted item, but that your precision is so constant and perfect that they would think it was done by a machine.

Mea culpa. I've complimented quilts in the past - especially when the motifs aren't traditional - and then been further blown away to discover on closer inspection they were hand, not machine, quilted.

@Jillaine - great op. Thanks for posting (and for clarifying exactly what you were looking for in the first sentence.) :mrgreen:

I did try it, and I liked it for hand quilting. My only issue with it is that it's so thin, it feels like there's no "poof" to show off the quilting. For cotton I really like Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon. And I'm really excited about the wool batt I bought for my next quilt - I just wish I could get the top finished.

Janet

HEY! Your just like me!!!!!!!!! No matter how hard I try I can't advance any higher in stitches abouve 5! Oh well, as long as well like to do it this way it really doesn't matter. Let's just enjoy!

When I hand quilt I strive for even stitches as short as I can get them. I don't stress over stitches per inch.

I agree - in most cases this statement is a compliment.
I hear it very often and years ago I was also discouraged and a little bit offended. I needed some time but I have learned to see it and to take it as a really nice compliment! :thumbup:

I prefer to handquilt without a frame. I just can't get used to maneuvering the frame while trying to balance it and stitch. I also invested on a standing frame that is completely adjustable, including spinning 360 degrees. I might be able to make this one work for me but will probably only use it for larger projects. I get pretty consistant 8-10 inches without the frame. I can do smaller but it's tedious to me and I hand quilt because I like to relax. Personally I like consistancy better than smaller but, to each her (or his) own.

Small, consistent stitches come with practice, thin layers, loose tension, and patience! Don't despair!

Thanks everyone for this thread.. the information is very helpful... I haven't done any hand quilting but have been thinking about it.. warm and natural batting is all I have been using.. so all this information really helps..

By my count that is 24 stitches per inch wowzers. Hummm and I thought my 12 was good.