Looks really good. I learned that very same thing about stitching in the ditch the first time I hand quilted. No more! I use a small rectangular frame and usually have not problem but I have to say that I have used wool batting twice and while it is really easy to quilt through it does not grab the fabric like cotton or 80/20 does and I have to be careful of puckers. I pin baste and so I maybe not have a good baste protection but I don't have that kind of problem with cotton. That being said I like the way the wool quilts up but probably won't use it very often.

It looks very nice for your first attempt. I like it. The more you hand quilt, the better it gets. For me hand quilting is so relaxing.

You are inspiring me to give this a try!

That looks great. Back when I hand quilted I never ditched. I always quilted 1/4" away from the seam line. I used 1/4" painters tape to mark. Laid it down right next to the seam line and hand quilted right next to the tape. I could reuse a piece about 4 or 5 times before it lost all adhesion capabilities.

Here is a link to my tumbling blocks quilt where you can kinda/sorta see what I am talking about in the first picture

https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...ks-t22344.html

Here is another one of my handquilted quilts where I also used painters tape along with several designs I actually marked.

https://www.quiltingboard.com/pictur...p-t127559.html

It looks beautiful! Hand quilting is so charming.

I don't use a hoop either. I find it much easier to get smaller, better stitches without a hoop.

Great job ! You should be very pleased! Personally I love the black stitching.....really shows off the pattern. Carry on!!!!! Love the fact you have a gazebo, too! Perfect setting for perfect project!

I also use no hoop. You might want to try basting Sharon Schamber's way, it has helped my hand quilting a lot. No more puckers and I hate pins!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhwNylePFAA
Also, I've learned that Warm and Natural is hard to quilt through and now buy Fairfield's 80/20 cotton batting...much easier to quilt through! I would like to try the Quilter's Select or wool next as folks say they are even easier to quilt through.
Again, your stitches look great, just get out of the ditch!:thumbup:

Thank you again for the great tips and the encouragement. I will definitely be taking note of those when I go to work on my next one. I looked at the pictures that people have posted and wow I only hold my hand quilting can get that good

so far, your work is great. keep going

First attempt? Looks awesome. Keep going.