Hi Trina,

Work for even stitches, and don't worry so much about how many - make yourself happy. Everyone quilts in their own way.

The markings on the preprinted wholecloth panels are supposed to wash out when you're done. I don't know if they're as susceptible to heat as the blue ink pens, but I'd be careful about exposing it to heat.

Janet

I did end up picking up some hand needles made by Bohin (made in France) that the gal in a Lancaster Quilt shop recommended. After the fact, I got the John James needles. The better quality needle really seems to make a difference.

I attached a 'beginning' picture, and a 'now' picture. The beginning picture is a border because originally this quilt was set up on a HUGE frame before we moved. I ended up basting it on the frame, and removing it, and now I'm happily quilting it on my new lap top hoop which I'm LOVING. The stitches are kind of hard to see because of the fabric, and I can't wait to finish the dark color because of this.

I look forward to working on the wholecloth (but it'll be awhile because I need to piece the stars!) because it will be much easier to see. This is the one I purchased: http://quiltingstencils.com/33feathe...medallion.aspx I really wanted to design my own, but I just fell in love with this center medallion. The rest of the quilt will be larger muslin squares so I can go crazy with marking my own designs there. This site was my inspiration: http://www.christianlanequilters.com...age/595756.htm LOVE LOVE LOVE them!!! I don't care if it takes me 3 years to do, but I just think they are so gorgeous. I will just enjoy the process.

Don't worry about the size of the stitches, consistancy is more important....the closer stitches will come with practice. Have fun , relax...and take breaks .

Can someone take a closeup picture of what theirs look like? I don't have anybody I know to compare stitches with, not that it really matters but I'm just curious. ;)

Here are links to some of mine. Easy to see the stitches because it is light thread on dark background. Actually I used the same thread on both. It is valdani varigated thread. It goes from white to a bright yellow. It is a 35 wt 100% cotton thread. Very nice thread, I would definitely buy it again. I use #11 Roxanne needle and hand quilting hoop.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-47093-1.htm

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-22344-1.htm

Here is a picture of me actually quilting but you can't tell too much from it except like you I don't use a thimble.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-29365-1.htm

These pictures were actually my first attempt at hand quilting. Took me over a year to do, and I made it for my daughter who was just born. It really was too big of a project for a first-time quilting experience. Unfortunately, she got bigger & I found out she hates the color pink so it sits in her closet. I kinda 'winged' the design, too, and the piecing isn't perfect. I think it was only the second quilt I made. My problem was that it turned into a "gotta get that pink quilt off the big frame' because it was on display in my living room the whole time. Now that I use a lap quilt, I can just put it away if need be.

WOW WOW WOW WOW!! Thank you so much for passing these pictures along. Now I have a better idea of what it's supposed to look like. :mrgreen: AND, I always wondered where to put the kitty when she wanted to crawl up on my lap when I was quilting. I still think it'd be hard to continue with a 'front seat driver'. ha ha

I agree absolutely what is already said: work for even stitches. That is the most important thing. Your stitch length will vary with the different fabrics and the different battings you use and probably it will change with increasing practice and skill...but just do it your own way and have fun.
I did many hand quilting demonstrations on exhibits and fairs over the years and many people told me: your quilting stitches are great, they look like machine stitching! At the beginning I felt a little angry about these statements because people seemed to be unable to distinguish between hand quilting and machine quilting! Today I understand it as a compliment, but I don't aim for it.

Regarding the preprinted top: Several years ago I quilted a preprinted top and after the quilting was finished I soaked the quilt in clear, cold water for a while. This was suggested by the producer of the top and the ink disappeared completely. Heat can be a problem as far as I know. Maybe Holice can help you with that?

Here is a picture of the Bow Tie one I am woking on right now. This is the back, because I could not get a good pic of the front. My stitches are not SMALL but, they are pretty even.

Here you find a picture of my first hand quilting stitches I did in 1990 and a detail I did in 2010.



http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-94584-1.htm