hand quilting a gfg
 

Has any one hand quilted a gfg and what type of quilting design did you use. It is going to be a wall hanging so my other question is do i need either batting or flannel or can i quilt without either one. I started hand quilting it and am having a difficult time getting the needle through all the layers. I did cut away the background fabric where the flowers are but there is still a lot of fabric within the hexagons and my needle just doesn't want to go through. I started out with polyester batting, replaced it with Pelons cotton batting but it made no diffrrence in trying to quilt it.

Any suggestions will be more th a n welcome. I have already changed the batting out twice and am thinking of flannel but not sure if it will be any easier to quilt.

I can't really help with the batting, because I don't know enough about the different types.

I have handquilted a gfg though! I used perle cotton thread and did big stitch quilting, because I didn't think I'd be able to get nice small stitches. I also did all the quilting 1/4" away from the seams (I marked them with 1/4" tape) which probably helped! I used cotton/bamboo wadding in mine.

Also, are you using a new needle? I've found that they blunt quite quickly, or get tarnished which makes it very difficult to pull through (never knew that before I did my gfg, I thought needles lasted forever! It was a bit like when you change your rotary blade and think "why did I not do this until now!") I'm piecing another hexie quilt atm and am using clover black gold needles, which have a special coating on them which helps them glide through a bit easier, don't know if they'd be any good for quilting, but I thought it might be worth a mention!

I stitched around every single hexagon - my stitches weren't as small an in other projects due to the seams, but that is ok..I did figure out a way to stitch "straight" as much as i could to keep from starting and stopping. It made it go quicker.

I tried to upload a photo and can't do that right now...sigh...

Usually, it is a 1/4" inside each hexagon. I saw on quiltmekiwi.blogspot.com did some nice petals with quilting on a DSM. I really am considering trying that on my GFG.

Just check this out and you need to go to her menu at the bottom and select EPP. Love the petals.

I quilted one..1/4 inch next to each hexie seam. I used a light weight wool batting( needles like butter). I had 11/4 inch hexies and managed about 6 stitches per inch. Try one of the tulip brand steel needles...they flex,but don't bend. If you stay a little away from the seam allowance,it should be easier.

Hi, I am a new member. Quilting about 2 years. Been reading posts to gain info from you veteran quilters.
Question: the "light weight wool batting" mentioned by francie yuhas: does it shrink when washed? I have lived in the south all my life and am not that familar with wool except in an occasional sweater.

Hi, I am a new member. Quilting about 2 years. Been reading posts to gain info from you veteran quilters.
Question: the "light weight wool batting" mentioned by francie yuhas: does it shrink when washed? I have lived in the south all my life and am not that familar with wool except in an occasional sweater.

Sorry for duplicate posts :-(