Thank you for asking this question. I submitted the same question earlier and have been waiting for an answer. I use a 14 inch hoop. I rest part of the hoop on my sewing table so I can use my hand under the hoop to feel the needle. I love lap quilting!!!!

I have a Hinterberg frame too, however I used to do stab stich on it. My middle finger right hand has bad arthiritis (unfortunately so do my others but this one is the worst) so I have regretfully stored it in a bedroom now. I found the lady's comment who quilted with her index finger instead of middle finger very interesting. I had to import my frame to Australia, we had nothing like it here. I do make some of my quilt piecing on a treadle machine which also has a lovely rythm like hand quilting.

I use a wooden hoop (about 18 inches) that I hold in my lap. I put the foot up on my recliner and enjoy the relaxationas much as I enjoy the hand quilting.
When I make the "sandwich" I use large safety pins to keep it stretched out. When I place the first section in the hoop, I make sure the top fabric is taunt; then I make sure the backing fabric is tight. Occaaionally I have to loosen it a bit. If it's too tight it is hard to make small stitches.
I use a small needle to aid in making small stitches, also.
Ilike the "Betweens"
I use Coats and Clark Quilting thread.

One tip I was given - Cut your thread twice as long as normal, take a stitch and pull it through to half its length. You then stitch out in one direction with that half and end off, then put your needle in the other half and stitch out in that direction and end off.

You are only working with the usual length of thread for each half but end up getting twice as far for half the knots and starts.

Hi! I use Susan Bates size 10 needles and I use a pvc quilting frame which I love. I also use a oval quilting hoop that fits into a stand for when I'm quilting the borders or dont want to take up much room. I also have a 50 year old quilt frame that I like to use but it takes up too much space but I seem to quilt faster on it cause you don't have to move it so much. I hope this help. I hand quilt all my quilts. It's so relaxing and I don't worry about the quilting police coming to judge my work.Have fun and I hope this helped

I do this also :D and it sure saves the time of cutting a new thread.

Here is an interesting link for a video showing how Jean Brown quilts using an Aunt Becky's Finger Protector. http://www.jeansimpressions.com/ . She makes it look so easy. I use an Aunt Becky's on my underneath hand. The needle glances off of it as it goes into the quilt and then sends the needle back up to the front of the quilt. It allows me to make nice small stitches without pricking my finger. Good luck on your first hand quilted quilt. As everyone said....just enjoy the process...you'll learn as you go along. :thumbup:

I am with you all the way!!

I have used the pvc frame, an Ulmer wooden frame, and a hoop. I really like the hoop. Just make sure the hoop is a quilting hoop. When selecting a hoop, bend your arm at a 45 degree angle, place the hoop on your arm, if your fingers touch the edge of the hoop, it is the right size. I too use small needles and I use Roxanne needles.

I love to hand quilt, returning to it often during certain periods of my life. Like everyone else here, these are my opinions and what seems to work for me. I, too, use a size 10 or 11 needle because it helps me create smaller stitches. I have used both a hoop (that I like because you can carry it around) and an antique floor frame that my husband found for me. I like using both. I also use hand quilting thread unless I cannot find the perfect color for my project. Then I wax hand sewing thread that coats the thread for the quilting stitches.


If I am starting to hand quilt after a long period of not quilting, I find I have to get into the rhythm of quilting. You do indeed have to practice and to just keep quilting. While my stitches are not the tiny ones, they are uniform in length and I am so proud that I've gotten to this point.

Good luck to you...and here's hoping that you find hand quilting as relaxing as I do. :lol:

thats a neat wwb site

I hand quilt without a hoop -- I have a nice wooden one that I've tried to use and maybe with practice I can....

I read somewhere that the needle you use for hand quilting should be the length of your left forefinger from the knuckle out to the end of your finger. I tried it and it works for me -- anything smaller and I keep losing that little sucker....

And like everyone else -- practice, practice, practice and then practice some more!!

Good Luck -- I know you'll love doing it! :D

I bought one like this about 12 years ago at Hobby Lobby for just under 60 dollars. I love it.

I like small needles. & good hand quilting thread....I also was told to hold the needle straight up & down & rock the needle. There is a hand quilting site where you can see the video.type in hand quilting & you will see different sites to go to . Happy quilting

I use an oblong hoop that sits on a frame with legs. I do all my quilts on it. when you have the quilt sandwiched put it on the hoop frame in the very center. as you quilt, go around the quilt evenly as you work to the outside. Make sure each time you adjust on the frame that you check to make sure you pull the backing taut. I use number 8 betweens for my needle. and coats and clark hand quilting thread. hope you enjoy hand quilting as much as I do. I have some number 10 betweens but I can't get the thread to go through them. so just stick with the 8s.

I've been told that the coated quilting thread lies on top of the fabric more, so is more noticeable. A quality sewing thread will bury in the quilt more and, then, not be so noticeable. Depends on what look you want.

I absolutely love my Ulmer quilting frame - don't use anything else anymore unless I'm traveling and need something less bulky. Although it does fold up nicely. I may take it to my daughter's in Mar. when her baby is born. I have done as big as a queen quilt on it.

I use the Gutterman's hand quilting thread....100% cotton.
I use a size 10 needle and have one of those Clover needlethreaders and LOVE it. It will actually thread those tiny needles.
The first quilt I hand quilted was a double bed size pieced top that my grandmother pieced and I found it in my mother's cedar chest.
Made from feed sacks and clothing. Have a good light. I use a 14 inch hoop. Have fun with it!

I like YLI Quilting thread. For needles, it depends on how my arthritis is when I am doing it. I do not use a hoop on small projects. On larger projects, I use a 14" hoop.

I am a hand quilter, that is all I do. I love it. It does take practice. Before you begin on your top start out on a scrap of muslin draw a pattern with circles, lines, whatever and practice with a few different size needles. I like the John James large eye needles. Some of the needles are hard to thread with hand quilting thread. Save yourself the aggravation and look for the large eye needles. I would practice until you feel comfortable with your stitches. I use a paddle thimble too. It gives more consistent stitches and you don't end up with thimble finger. You hold it in your hand and rock it back and forth, it takes a couple of minutes to get used to it but I love it. I use a size 12 needle but it is small and hard to feel, I also use the needle grabbers they are little rubber disks that look like mini jar openers. Size 10 & 11 needles seem to be the most popular.
I use all different frames, depending on the size of the quilt and sometimes no frame at all. My favorite for convenience is the pvc floor frame. Good luck to you, I hope you enjoy hand quilting as much as I do.

BOSTON1954: that blue star is absolutely beautiful! Is it paper pieced? I'm new to this addiction (I've got it bad, too!) and would love to try making that. Thanks.

I have hand quilted for 13 years and just love it. Sure takes time though. I have tried a floor hoop frame but much prefer a hoop that I can just hold in my lap. Never have mastered quilting with no hoop at all. Just cannot do it. I have learned that if I run my thread through a Bounce Dryer Sheet a few times, it will tangle less. I love Guttermans (sp?) handquilting thread. I pick it up at Hancocks or JoAnn's.

Another thing that helps me get better stitches is to not have my quilt in the hoop too tight. Before I tighten the hoop I will push the quilt down in the middle as if a kitten had laid in the center of it then tighten it. That is the only way I can describe it. LOL Not too loose but not too tight. Hope this might help.

I have used a pvc pipe frame for years. I love it. It's easier to take on and off the fabric JoAnns has them one is a large one but they also have a small one.

My DH and I did it. It turned out great. I had to drag him to the hardware store, and it took a lot of convincing, but he thought it was pretty cool when finished. The legs are all the same length and I would just put something under the one side to elevate it a bit so it was easier to reach the area I was working on. I quilted my first queen size quilt on it. I also have a small square plastic one that I use for smaller projects. I kept looking at the ones on Ebay and they looked pretty simple. I think we made mine for about $35.

nooooooooo you'll enjoy it! you have more control over sewing seams. my blocks actually look better than machine sewing. your finished project, make a small one, will be as good as the preparation. it is time consuming setting everything up, but what a reward when done. ok, i use regular sewing thread, i see no problem, yet and i've been at this quilting for 16+yrs. you cut out your pieces to the block, draw the seam line, take a needle that your comfortable with, just like clothes, you have to try on to get the best feel. i like a bit longer and slim needles so i can gather many stitches. oh! if you hand applique i use floss and a straw needle. good luck topper

Don't be timited just jump in. Advice is wonderul but think about the history of handquilting. The women on the frontier weren't too up tight abut the size of stitches etc. Imagine you are quilting with one of the women in a covered wagon. Sure you want your first quilt too be nice but don't worry about every thing being perfect ENJOY I love hand quilting.I'm not perfect abut I enjoy he feel . :P :P

You have all been so kind to share your advice and thoughts with me! I think I will love doing it and will find it great to relax in front of the fire while I quilt away!
My hubby could make me the wood frame I even found a pattern for $13 for one that collapses for easy storage.
I am going to pick up supplies this weekend hopefully so here I go head first right in to it!
Thank you all again
And oh yeah I sure wish I could be in one of those covered wagons when life was hard work but simpler than the times now and more family oriented!
Hugs
April

I prefer no hoop too....as long as it pin basted well you won't get ripples

This is the most wonderful opinion that I have seen, it gladdens my heart to read it, I think that many quilters forget the origins of quilting and that modern day quilting is often too contrived and not" homespun".
I will no doubt be pulled up for my criticism but ,do often wonder why the craft has become too refined -----in my opinion.

Could I use a hoop for any size quilt?
Thanks You in advance

I agree with Mayday on this. Rush, rush, rush. I have only met probably two hand quilters in four years in my area. I do know one in Western Australia who encourages me on email, and collects and collates old quilts. Cynthia Harvey Baker, and she hand quilts. I was lucky to meet her and she influenced my love of hand quilting. This thread has been wonderful, and despite my arthritis I am going to try the method shown by the lady using her first finger and thumb. Thankyou to her. I have just got out of bed, and set up my quillt. Wonderful comments from everyone to the new lady hand quilter who began this thread, a joy to read everyone's comments :)

I use my hoop for everything from Crib quilts to King Size.

My mom taught me to quilt. She used flour sacks for her quilts. "Bags of Scraps" were available and inexpensive, and she used them a few times. The problem with them was a lot of the pieces weren't good for sturdy quilts.
The one thing she was picky about was stitch size.
She would say, "Don't make the stitches so long you can catch
your toenail in it." She used all her quilts for cover on the bed.
She always had a bedspread over them. I use mine for both covers and coverlets, and make bedskirts and pillow shams to match. Sometimes I made curtains to match also.


Could I use a hoop for any size quilt?
Thanks You in advance[/quote]

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Thank You for your answer - this will be my first quilt that will be hand quilted it is crib size.

Be sure to always check the back for wrinkles. Stretch all those out. You will do fine, I'm sure.

Thank You for your answer - this will be my first quilt that will be hand quilted it is crib size.[/quote]

April, I think that is why I quilt with a passion. I talked to my mother this past weekend. She commented that it puzzled her that quilting craze hung on so long. (She saw it come back into style in the 1970's for the bicentennial celebration.) The quilts she has were born of hard work and lean times. But, boy, was her family close-knit! I want to give something of that to my family. I can't take away the way the world works, but I can create a haven for them from the world. And quilting is a part of that!

I believe we have the best of both worlds...the memories of those folks who quilted years ago when you "made do" with what you had. Today we have modern gadgets such as the Rotary cutter which helps crippled hands so much (and of which my own mother was terrified to use). My mother used a Singer machine back when Singers were the best. I use a Janome with the "needle-down" element and the "1/4-inch foot" that helps me produce much better work. Aren't we lucky? I also document the stories behind the quilts so that the makers' identities are not lost forever.

Hi I'm interested in your ulmer quilting frame -- if you ever decide to sell it let me know. thanks nancy 65

thanks for the tip

I do not use a hoop or frame. I baste it well then anchor a corner so I have just a little tension. Use the smallest needle I can with Mettler quilting thread. I use a small running stitch to do my quilting. I sometimes have a dozen needles in the quilt going in all directions! Without a hoop I can swivel the quilt all around and the running stitch is the fastest and easiest to do.