Oh yes, I have terrible trouble with the bending of needles and have found that the Roxannes bend the least for me. I use an 11 or 12 needle. Have tried all sizes and those seem to work the best for me size wise. I strive for tiny stitches and some days do okay on them and on other days can't make a tiny stitch at all. I am also a very slow quilter, guess more practice would make me faster. Unless it is something pretty special most of my things get machine quilted now if I can afford to do so.

Happy quilting to everyone.

themachinelady

Are you using a frame or hoop? Try not to pull the quilt tight in the hoop - you need to be able to flex the quilt sandwich. If it's too tight you really have to work to make the quilt stitches, which makes you grip the needle tighter.

I tend to bend needles, too, but after a few hours of quilting. I use the needle as long as I'm making good stitches. If I start having a problem, I get another one.

Janet

I love to do hand quilting as long as my arthritic hands will allow. I don't worry about stitch size anymore. I just do the best I can.

I use a #9 quilting needle. Also, I use a 6.6 oz batting. I also use a lap hoop. Be sure to start in the middle of your quilt and work your way out. When you put your hoop on and make sure that there no wrinkles in the back, gently push either up or down on it the middle to relieve the "tention" It will make it easier to work with. (Carefull not too much. Just so it has a gentle give to it) You should have better luck with your quilting this way. Remember the stitch size isn't as important as the uniformity of the stitches. Good luck!

I have hand quilted quite a few quilts of varies sizes. All I use is warm and natural I have to say I don't find it hard to hand quilt. I can say hand quilting is not my favorite because it takes a while. I use size 10. stitch length is not as important as consistently getting your stitches on front and back. It is rewarding in the end!! I hand quilt all my monsters quilts!

Oh see this is another problem I am having... I seem to be getting the stitches uniform (for the most part) on the side Im working on but the opposite is not so uniform. They blend in much better on the front of the quilt so I am quilting from the back as it is black with the white thread. Any tricks on this one?? For the life of me I cant use a thimble and my fingers have became callous so I have a natural thimble on my thumb and index finger HA!

I have been hand quilting since I started quilting. Our teacher thought that was the only true way to quilt, and she was really good. It takes lots of practice and patience! I use only YLI thread (cause that is what she used). Love the Roxanne needles. Always keep your first one to see how good you are in 10 years. I wish I could hand do all my quilts, but there is not enough hours in the day! So I do about half and half. Relax and enjoy doing this. I do have a friend who is left handed and she did have a hard time at first! I do not use a thimble and I have a 14 inch hoop!

I really like a frame where you can stretch the whole quilt out and not have to baste. But you can stand it on quilt stands and not have to hang it from the ceiling. I can email pictures to you if you like. Batting makes a huge difference. I always use poly. I tried cotton and it's just way harder to get them small. My stitches were probably 3 times bigger with cotton batting. But if you keep the stitches even, it's still nice looking. Even your fabric choice can make a difference. Some fabrics just quilt easier. I never starch my fabrics when piecing. I wonder if starch makes it harder to quilt? Tension of the hoop or frame makes a huge difference too. I love my floor frame with the C-clamps holding it in place. The slightest adjustment to the tension makes all the difference in the world in making it easier to quilt and make nice stitches. Find the smallest needle that works for you, at least a 9 or smaller. I like a 10, it's stiff enough to not bend easily, but tiny enough to make nice stitches. The big thing is just EXPERIENCE...don't give up!

And that IS the correct answer!!

The back will never get as good as the front no matter how experienced you are. If you force yourself to use a thimble long enough it will become second nature. I like one on my middle finger and have learned to push the needle with it, leaving my index finger free to pull the needle through. I noticed Alex Anderson does it the other way around.