I have learned one very important thing during the years since I have started hand quilting: there is no "wrong" or "right". What works best for you can be bad for me. Every hand quilter seems to have her/his own favourites in battings, needles, threads, fabrics, gadgets and notions etc. and the best thing to find out what works for you is to try it! Well, it will probably takes some time to work it out but you will find your own way.
My personal favourits are #11 John James Betweens, a low loft batting without a scrim (Hobbs 80/20, Legacy 80/20, Wool), YLI Hand Quilting Thread and light weight fabrics like P&B Color Spectrum. I only load one single stitch on my needle, I quilt in a hoop on a floor stand and I don't use a thimble at all. But this is just my personal way of hand quilting....:)

Can relate! I'm just starting a B&W but using black thread on big white blocks. I use a #10 Roxanne and just my GUtermann's thread. I use Dream Orient Batting - silk, bamboo, cotton & ?Tercel? It's wonderful to quilt through.! No hope or frame either. My stitches are not really small, but they are becoming more even and I'm happy with that. We could call it "Sashiko"!

Heres a pic... no perfection here but there can be no doubt it was hand stitched lol
[ATTACH=CONFIG]330673[/ATTACH]

I don't think you have anything to worry about - it looks great!

Janet

Thank you!

I agree! Your stitches are very even and that is tough to do. All the proficient hand quilters say tiny stitches come over time. Keep stitching and be proud of what you have going there. It is beautiful.

Way to go, Jodi! I like it!

My favorite batting is Mountain Mist Light. It is a dream to quilt through, still puffs up nicely to show off the quilting, and is nice and warm. It is also less expensive. For purists though - it is not a "natural" product. Great for wall hangings - which is a good place to start for a new hand quilter. I do not use a frame or a hoop. I hand baste 4-6" apart and quilt in my lap. You can "bend" the fabric with your non-quilting hand to get those stitches smaller. But the real answer to your question is just to keep doing it. Practice, practice, practice. The stitches will be smaller, and more even, before you know it.

You are all so kind! I was getting so discouraged after pulling out a quilt done by a wonderful lady who has been quilting for years. Thank you for reassuring me and helping me get back into the spirit! And all the tips are just amazing I cant wait to try them all and show you all the finished product :)

Just watched video, very informative! Thank you for posting.