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 :-(

If you use flannel wash and dry it super hot 2 times so it shrinks.
I did mine on the machine (DHM) and used the serpentine stitch.
I knew it would b difficult to do by hand. good luck Maybe just use the flannel

here's a GFG that I have quilted. I just quilt close - shadow quilting because the hexies are too small to go 1/4" away from the edge. As i said earlier, my stitches aren't as small as normal since i'm going thru multiple layers, they are even, so that is good.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]517721[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]517722[/ATTACH]

I had a lady friend give me a grg quilt top. She said I could do what ever I want to do with it. After makeing a trip to a quilt shop, in Kalona, Ia. And checking out how some of gfg were hand quilted. I came home, and hand quilted the 4,200 hex's with a 1/4'' inside each hex's. In time I did a lap size grg, also, for a friend.

I solved my problem. I took it apart and discovered I had not cut away the background fabric like i thought i had. The backing was also very stiff so i diluted fabric softener in a spray bottle and sprayed the fabric whic worked. I cut the background fabric away from the flower area only and switched to warm and natural batting . I quilted one section with a swirling heart design and it quilted like a dream. Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. My other dilemma is what to work on, i have two quilts in the handquilting process and another one in the piecing stage which is going to be a wedding gift. My problem is i need to be in the mood to work on a certain project or nothing turns out right on it and right now is not the mood for anything.

Thank you for starting this post and thank you, all, for your suggestions. I have my own gfg started but stalled thinking about the quilting. Am feeling energized about getting back to it!

Oh I am the same way!! When I was young and in 4-H, my mother and I would get in the biggest arguments about my sewing on my projects. I would say the same thing--I have to be in the mood or it is RIP RIP RIP!! My mother is 84 yrs. old now. Wait til I tell her someone is just like me!!