I agree that the most helpful info is that practice is what helps you get better and smaller stitches. Personally, I can't stand a polyester batting - it's too lightweight and doesn't provide enough resistance when trying to keep my stitches even. The needles "falls through" for lack of any other description.

I've always used warm & natural and while I like it, my current project has Dream Cotton Request. It's a lightweight cotton and I noticed that because it is a lighterweight batting, my stitches are smaller. I will probably be using it more often.

My absolutely favorite hand quilting thread is YLI. Gutterman in a pinch. Both are glazed 100% cotton threads. Don't like Coats & Clark, it frays and knots up too easily for my taste.

I can't make very small stitches either. So however it comes out, that is what I live with. Most of my hand quilting is bigger stitches than a seasoned quilter would have. But, the quilt is mine, I did it and proud of how it turns out, no matter what the stitches look like.

I used to use some tape with lines on it to help keep my stitches small and even. I am not sure what the tape is called, but it is for hand quilting.

I use a PVC frame in my lap to hold my work. I too found my stitches were so large, and then I switched to John James needles. since I have sme arthritis in my hands, I use the Golden Glide size 10 needles. I really think my stiches became much smaller using a good needle. I also think that consistent neat stitches are more important than size for a quilt to look nice...I too hand quilt everything, and as long as I enjoy it, I am happy. In time, you will find your stitches will become neater and smaller

My secret for hand quilting: quilt in a floor frame. That way you have two hands to control your quilting. One is on top and on on the bottom. I use Mountain Mist Quilt Lite. It is so easy to quilt through. Just like melted butter, as one old timer calls it. I was having trouble on my last one. it was one for a friend whose mother had pieced the blocks years ago. She hadused a very tightly-woven fabric that was hard to needle. Then I used a white backing that was a poor choice. It looked like the design had been painted on and when I hit one of those I couldn't get the needle through. i finally gave up on it and took it to my long-arm quilter and she is going to resurrect it for me. I took out all the stitches I had already put into it. I like a light-weight backing, plain if possible to show up the design and stitches. I had a wonderful compliment from one of my best friends when she asked me for some of my hand quilting to have as a remembrance of me. I found a piece at Paducah one year that wasalready printed so all I had to do was quilt it and wash out the blue lines. I gave it to her this week and she is going to have it professionally framed to hang on her wall. Made me feel special. I will admit that my stitches aren't as good as they used to be, but not bad.

I have always heard that as long as the stitches are the same, both front and back, it doesn't matter the size. I use an 8 or 9 between and can get maybe 8 stitches to an inch. I am happy with that. I rarely use a hoop or frame. I found it easier not to. I get all hunched up over a frame or hoop. Without one I can relax in the recliner and just quilt.

Anita in Northfield, MN

I have a heavy piece of metal to "anchor" the quilt and give it a little tension as I quilt. I have always used a running stitch (not rocker stitch) and it is much easier to control for me.

Tiger Tape

I use #9 John James needles but have tried other name brands as well. Does anyone else have a problem with their needles bending???? I use Hobbs 80-20 but have tried other battings as well with the same problem. What am I doing wrong???????

My stitches are long too but it looks ok as long as they are even. With practice your stitches will get shorter.