My LQS supports both hand and machine quilters, but no 2 stores are really alike. A few are downright snooty. I do hope you are willing to show us your work. I don't do hand quilting, but enjoy hand applique. Hopefully, we can co-exist with all 'flavors' of quilters.

I shop everywhere.lol :lol: :lol: :lol: There are some shops that are just great to go into and get you all revved up to go back and quilt more, which is good when you are having an off time. There are some shops that just don't do it for me either. ON the net there are great places to shop. I do like to spend in the community when I can to keep folks going especially in our area where it is so depressed.

I also ordered an Aunt Becky on line over a year ago so I would have one "just in case" when I started to hand quilt. But I haven't gotten to that point yet. I have been practicing on squares to make Microwave Bowls for Chirstmas gifts. I have also been purchasing stencils for handquilting as well. One of the local stores where I purchase fabric has a limited selection of stencils, but I purchase a couple each time they get new ones in stock and I have ordered a few off line.

I seldom get a chance to shop at a Hobby Lobby, JoAnns, or other big box store as the nearest ones are over 65 miles from where I live. I am grateful I have the internet to learn about techniques and tools available. Part of moving back to Kentucky was to slow my life down and I moved right in the middle of "hurry up and get it quilted", unfortunately with my fellow guild members our local LAQ is months behind in getting their quilts finished. I think there are two other members besides myself who do some hand quilting, but for me it is something I have wanted to do since my Aunt took me to her ladies quilting group when I was 15. I doubt my Aunt ever heard of an Aunt Becky and I am sure my other Aunt only used a thimble and needle and thread.

Maybe some day I will have a quilt LAQ, but for the time being I am all about hand quilting and learning to slowdown my life. I have accepted the fact that my greatest quilting tool is the internet for ideas, patterns, books, tools, and techniques.

don't give up because of that one shop- i know of 3 different ones in my area that have HAND QUILTING classes- and pretty much any time you enter one of them you will see a couple ladies sitting in the class room hand quilting- i've spent lots of time just watching-chatting.
not all shops are just in it to sell fq's, books and supplies

This is your opportunity to become the hand quilting guru for them. Take what you bought in to show them along with some of your work. They may want to offer some classes for others. I learned my handquilting at one of the local LQS in our area.

Don't give up!

I wanted a particular color for hand quilting. I went to 2 LQS and they just looked at me -- Hand quilting thread??? they had regular thread and maching quilting thread. I found what I wanted at Joannes. They still have hand quilting thread in colors - not just white.

I do have a wonderful LQS here but it is small and they don't carry much thread.

have you used it yet? looks awkward to me.

I made my first quilt in 1967. At the time no one I knew was quilting. I have always been a handquilter, not piecer. Once a used a retangular floor frame I taught myself to quilt with both hands. I have handquilted a queen size quilt in as little as 6 weeks without driving myself crazy. Handquilting is something you can do with a group, while at a meeting for something else or just watching TV with your family etc. It can be totally portable and does not require electiricty. You could even listen to books on tape and kill two birds with one stone. I belong to two guilds and a small BEE. For those just getting into quilting it is an inexpensive way to learn. I small wholecloth pillow cover is a great way to see if you really want to do this without making a huge investment in machines etc.
I have several friends who purchased longarms and then took in other people's work to help pay for them. They get burned out in a hurry. The only thing I machine quilt is the many Linus Quilts I make each month. I knew the recepients will have no way to properly care for them or they will be put through a commercial laundry. I sleep under a handquilted quilt every night. While I don't launder any blankets or quilts everyweek except for those who directly touch a human body they do get laundered and have always held up for years. The first quilt I made over 40 years ago is still floating around in our garage. My husband lays on it if he has to get under the car or truck.

Thank you for the link to an awesome video! First, I need to get the right kind of thimble and then learn to actually USE it. Then I'll try my hand with the Aunt Becky.

I have had the same experience with several quilt stores. They don't cater to hand quilting but there are enough that do that I get along. One of the reasons I like to hand quilt is that I don't need a lot of tools to do it so I am not going to be a big spender. I was shocked when I went to a quilt store in a small town and they did not carry hand quilting thread at all. Amazing. They had a good selection of fabric though. Again, I don't buy much because I just don't need much.

I do understand your frustration! I've been looking for the Aunt Becky locally myself and no luck! We have the small LQS to Keepsake here and none of them carry it and I didn't want to order a $4 item with $5 shipping. LOL Oh well I'm still searching. :( As far as handquilting thread goes, try googling the different thread manf. I do end up getting mine at Jo's mostly, but there's always a color you don't have. :O

I did find an awesome between to handquilt with though. Its the John James Gold n' Glide. Comes with the large eye also (which I need). ;) These are wonderful to even quilt batiks with, glide through like butter.

The shop where I work has a wonderful line of handquilting thread and a variety of hoops and needles. Most of us want to get going on the next project so we machine quilt which is faster.

Ashley, I hope you like your Aunt Becky's tool I tried it didn't care for it I admit I didn't it it much time.
Don't ever apologize for being a hand quilter your should be proud there is nothing like a 100 % cotton hand quilted quilt.
It's hard to keep up with all the tools on the market something new every day. It was nice the Lady offer to order it for you.
Happy Hand Quilting.

I understand your frustration since I'm also a hand quilter. We travel a lot from PA to FL and I've not found a LQS that teaches hand quilting. I also purchased Aunt Becky but I never could get the hang of it. I'm also NOT a thimble person. I use the thimble when I need to push the needle through a thick part. Let's keep on with our HQ and keep the art well and alive.

I learned in a LQS how to hand sew. (quilting)
That's too bad you experienced that. I admire you for hand quilting!

First time I have ever heard of the Aunt Becky and I hand quilt mostly because I do not have a LA and I think hand quilting is so soothing to do in the evenings. Not saying I do not like long arming but that is not in my budget either the machine or the price for having it done. I wish I could afford one or for having one quilted by a long armer. Maybe one day. But hey enjoy your hand quilting and I plan to check out this Aunt Becky thing.

Hugs

Pat

I've had an Aunt Becky for several years and cannot keep it on my finger, quite possibly because I don't use a hoop or a frame; Jean Brown does her Aunt Becky demo. using a hoop. Anyway, it's not so much my left hand finger (underneath the quilt) that gets hurt; it's my ring finger on my right hand that takes a beating. I use it a lot to assist the middle finger that has the thimble on it. I can't wear 2 thimbles on one hand and have tried various things to protect that finger, but with little or no success.

I am a totally hand quilting person. I machine piece, but I hand quilt. It gets really frustrating to be able to see hand quilting in magazines. I subscribe to several different quilting magazines, but no hand quilting. I love to look at stitches and am always in awe of the work done.
I have made two hand quilted quilts this year, they are both queen size for two granddaughters. Next year, I would love to make my sister a king size and also two other granddaughters full sizes.
Everything is machine quilted. I have one little quilt shop here, she custom machine quilts. They are nice, but I feel lack the personality of hand quilting. The lady is most helpful though, if she does not have something, she may order it, if the minimum is not too high for her.
I am happy to find another totally hand quilter...I just love how the quilts look and feel.
Let us know how the Aunt Becky tool works for you. I have tried using a spoon, but I need to feel that needle, to be able to rock the needle.
Hugs to ya...Dee in Oklahoma :wink:

Thank you so much for providing this info. I met her at a fair last year and she is so nice. I lost the tool and now I can order another and save my fingers. Love Love Love hand quilting.

I saw a woman use an Aunt Becky at a quilt show and she was a whiz!! I bought one and was determined to learn how to use it. I am pretty persistent but I have never been able to use it like she did and I have practiced with it a lot! It looks so easy in the tutorials, but don't expect miracles. I have been disappointed with it. Glad it only cost $5!!

Maybe you could do a small class on hand quilting at your local quilt guild. I know there are lots of folks that would love to learn. That is just a suggestion. Most people don't understand that you have to have quilting thread, quilting needles and so on.. I don't think it is a dying art, I just think this is a hurry up world and no one wants to take the time to hand quilt. We had a lady in our home town that hand quilted for hire and she was always snowed under. sorry you had a bad experience. Also I always try to support our lqs. We don't want them to go away. I know JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby are sometimes cheaper. But like WalMart they can at anytime just up and decide not to carry fabric or sewing supplies anymore. Again just my opinion.

What a nice surprise as I was reading through the post to see your comment about going to the Fabric Shack in Waynesville. You are right and it is a great shop. Lived in Dayton, Oh but did not quilt at the time. Have visited this shop when returning to Dayton to visit friends.

I agree that hand quilting is very relaxing and believe that is my first love in quilting. I am working on the quilt patis using the Grandmother's flower garden and am using 1930's reproduction fabric. I have never tried the Aunt Becky but I certainly agree with you that all of these quilt shops and stores cater to machine quilting; it seems that it is more popular and people do not want to take the time to hand quilt or have the patience.

I did hand quilting when I started in 1965 or 1966, no machine quilting then, only hand quilting about 2 dozen quilts. A very slow process, I started machine quilting about 2004 or 2005 and have made lots and lots of quilts since then. At age 66 I want to make them fast and try to use up some of the lots and lots of fabrics I have.
Hand quilting is beautiful and I appreciate the art of it but, not for me.

I, too, enjoy hand quilting. I have also started hand piecing. It is easier to take places, and even though we have a motorhome for when we travel, we usually like to go to out of the way places, and don't have the hook-ups. I relax when I hand quilt. When I have tried machine quilting, I get a whole lot more tense. I have a hand quilted quilt on my bed that my aunt made when I got married 28 years ago, and then another one that was done a long time ago by my great grandmother, that was on one of the beds at my grandmothers house. Right now, I am doing a baby quilt, with the top being done in tricot. It is a whole cloth quilt, and I think it will be really pretty. I am lucky in that I have a couple of shops close to me that has the supplies I need. I do agree though, we live in a hurry up and get it done society. I wish more people enjoyed hand quilting (not tying) because I would love to have some quilting bees.

THANK YOU....you might feel like this was a VENT, but actually it was a PSA....people do need to realize not every person who calls them self a "quilter" is spending hours shopping, buying all the NEW notions, books, machines, etc. Some are actually practicing the ART/Craft of actually doing their quilting the good old fashioned, time honored more traditional way! There are shops out there that do cater to people like you, but sadly I think they are all in Alaska or PA!
I am glad you found what you needed online, but wish too that you could have had a more enjoyable relationship with the LQS. AS a side note, she could have ordered all of that for you if she really wanted your business!

If I go to any quilt shop and ask for a quilting tool or item and the owner/manager has never heard of it I don't spend a dime in that store. It's the height of ignorance to not keep up with what is new, old, or soon to be released for quilting if you own a quilting store. All it takes is reading a few quilt magazines or catalogs. And not having internet in the store to look up the item to at least learn something is very foolish business wise. Sorry, I'll spend my dollars online and the shop can do without, just like I left without.

Sorry about your experience but I have had similar experiences. I bought an Aunt Becky off the internet, moved my sewing room to another room in the house and now have to find Aunt Becky again. :-) I hope I can figure out how to use it.

I've hand pieced and hand quilted for years and absolutely love it. Yes, I don't get quick results but it's so rewarding when finished. My daughter bought me a sewing machine and I had the hardest time matching the seams. I'd rather piece by hand. For me sitting in front of the tv with my piecing and quilting is so relaxing. As one poster mentioned, you don't need many supplies just scissors and thread.
'

I also am a hand quilter never had heard of this do we know if joanns sell this? I was there last night looking for something for my sore finger boo hoo didnt see this but thank you
I will have to get me one

I am sorry you had such a bad experience at the lqs. I hope you can find another one that will be more receptive to hand quilters. The are some beautiful threads on the market for hand quilters that can make your life easier. The big box stores carry all the run of the mill stuff. I took a hand applique class with a lady from Wisconsin who does the most amazing hand work. She spends hours on her quilts. She uses some really nice threads that she orders online.

I have a longarm business because I could not hand quilt fast enough. I love the look, but I just can't spend the time on it and accomplish much. It took me 2 years to get my daughter's wedding quilt completed. I admire those who do the wonderful handwork. Keep up what you do and don't let anyone put you down for it, even if it is with a bad attitude.

Hand quilting is all I do too, except a couple months ago I did two baby quilts by machine, but other than that I always just hand quilt. This is where true art lies, I believe. Although I do agree that machine quilting is an art too. It's not easy, just not that traditional and related to the true history and heritage of quilting.

Sorry you were disappointed with your experience, but you can't assume that all quilt shops will address all needs. They cater to what their customers express an interest in. Out of the 5 quilt shops I go to, 3 not only carry hand quilting stuff, but hold classes on it. The other two haven't a clue about handwork. All 5 have applique, but only one seriously supports hand applique without fusibles.

It's no different from the knitting shops. At my local store, the first 3 years they were in business, they only had expertise on socks and felting. That was it. They finally hired someone who actually knitted sweaters. They still primarily focus on socks and scarves because that is what the women who are buying yarn are making.

I've been quilting long enough to know that we lost 3 valuable shops over the last 15 years due to retirement or health issues. These were shop owners with decades of experience in all forms of quilting. At the same time, those who hand quilt have dwindled down to a small percentage of quilters.

My suggestion is that instead of dissing your LQS, tell them what tools you need on a regular basis. The shop closest to me now carries very nice needles for hand piecing and quilting and hand applique as well as silk thread and an assortment of hand quilting thread. They may not have the special tools, but if you tell them about it, they may stock it.

I'm also a handquilter and don't use a thimble or a frame, just pin it. This Aunt Becky tool sure does look neat and it's so fast! I'd buy it, but don't want to pay the shipping for just one item. Maybe the next time I order something else from CT, I'll order Aunt Becky.

sorry you had a bad experience but I find that each shop has its own personality

sorry you had a bad experience but I find that each shop has its own personality

Connecting threads should give you a percentage. I've seen several ask where you got yours; and I had already found the site from your post and ordered me one along with some quilting gloves!!!! LOL

Would have to say LQS have nice fabric but, as others have said, some can be really snooty. The snooty ones usually say, with great enthusiasm, "Oh, bring in what you're working on. We'd LOVE to see it!" but, I've noticed that when you do their smile rarely reaches their eyes and they are scanning it to see if you used their fabric. Have been in some really wonderful quilt shops but the others are out there, too, so, don't give up on quilt shops.

Oh, my gosh! If you can't find what you're looking for there you won't find it anywhere! They do have a website:
www.fabricshack.com or you can email at: [email protected]

The two lqs I frequent do not carry anything for hand quilters except the fabric of course. There are a number of LQS in NH, but since I am handicapped it's tough to go 'shopping around' to each of them to see IF they have what I need! Some places stack so much in the aisles I can't get my wheelchair through!
If there is anyone in the Manchester NH area that knows where hand quilting needs are sold ie proper needles, thimbles, aunt Becky, proper batting, hoops etc,etc., please please let me know! I have spent a fortune in 'shipping and handling' fees by buying online. Money that could be spent on fabric!