OK, I'm going to attempt to hand quilt. Can't afford to have everything sent to a LQ'er. I've watched video tutorials but always want to say,"Wait, let me write that down!" I like to have the book open while I'm doing the stitching.

Think the 'rocking' method would work for me (how do you all get so many stitches on those little teeny needles?) I should try with a darning needle and yarn first! I'm not so interested in a bunch of patterns, more in exact picture by pictures of the actual stitching.

I've done embroidery and X-stitch but this looks (even tho a plain running stitch) to be more of an art form!

Any good books? Thanks friends!

I will have to hand piece (mostly) and quilt because wrestling fabric through a sewing machine is too hard on my painful arms. I am just starting but I found two books that might help:

Quiltmaking by Hand, by Beyer
Complete Guide to Quilting (Better Homes & Gardens)

The first is a book by the grandmaster of hand quilters/hand-peicers. It has ALOT of info. The second is a general book on quilting but has many sections on hand quilting and is very visual and has lots of pictures. I got both with coupons at borders, or cheaply at amazon.com. Since I haven't even started yet, I'm sure you will get much better answers than mine from the experts. I'm just happy I can answer one question on this board instead of asking all of them :mrgreen: :thumbup:

I just got "Learn to do Hand Quilting in Just One Day" by Nancy Brenan Daniel. I bought it because it had some nice quilt patterns in it but it also has lots of instructions also. I got the electronic download version from Chlotilde.com (I like instant gratification!) You can also preview it before you buy it.

For hand quilting, I like "That Perfect Stitch" by Roxanne McElroy. Rodale Publishing also has a book on hand quilting, but I don't have the name of it.

For hand piecing, Jinny Beyer's book on hand piecing is great!

Jinny Beyer only hand quilts. So I would get her book. I love it. But I love all things Jinny! :D

I like "That Perfect Stitch" by Roxanne McElroy and "Handquilting With Alex Anderson.
The Anderson book has great photos for all different combinations of right handed- left handed, which finger you wear your thimble on as well as thumb quilting. The McElroy book gives al ot of details and advice on technique and materials. Good luck, it takes some practice at first, but is very relaxing when you get into it!

Thanks QBers! Seems like just a few are the favorites! Will have to look for them all - especially with so many sites that let you look inside the books before you buy.

I'm not interested in hand quilting, but I liked the look of Jinny
Beyer's book so checked it out of the library a while back. I was blown away by the quilt she made in response to 9/11. It's incredibly beautiful (as are all her quilts) and very meaningful. And although, like I said, I'm not interested in hand quilting, I still read the book from cover to cover.