I am thinking about doing my next quilt by hand. Has anyone done one and how did it go? Also, I am fairly new at quilting and am wondering something. I am making a pineapple square quilt and it calls for 12" squares. Does that mean I have to make them 12 1/2"? It has been painful getting them consistent and they are mostly only 12"

In the long run it won't matter. When all your blocks are done, measure them then square them up to the smallest size. Don't stress about it, it's your creation so do it your way. However, most of us sew a "scant" 1/4" seam which is about two or three threads LESS than a 1/4". This might help in your measurement. I, too, have had some that didn't quite measure up, especially when sewing on the diagonal like with half square triangles. I just trimmed the blocks down a little smaller and added a very narrow border to them. Unless you're wanting to enter contests and have them judged, just get them done and you'll be much happier.

I would love to hand piece because it becomes a totally portable project. Jinny Beyer had a video out that demonstrated her method, which is *extremely* fast. Basically, instead of moving the needle in and out of the fabric, she moves the fabric onto the needle. I borrowed it from the library years ago; don't know if it's still available.

Unfortunately, the fingers on my hands are quite odd lengths and the muscles in my hand cramp up really fast when I try to hand piece. Most people wouldn't have this problem, I think.

Welcome from Ireland

Hello from North Carolina! I agree with raptureready; as long as your blocks are the same size I wouldn't worry too much about going by the pattern word for word.

Hello there, welcome from Grand Marais, Minnesota!

Good luck with your quilt...and have fun! I've never done any hand piecing or hand quilting. Everything I do is by machine.

I learned to hand piece when I took my first class. I don't do it though b/c it takes forever and I like machine stitches better ( they seem stronger).
But I love to hand quilt so that's how I get my handwork "fix", I also love hand applique. Hand work is very relaxing but machine work is so fast!!! :D

I know someone who doesn't even have a sewing machine. She sews everything my hand. Not for me, but her quilts are nice.

Another thing Jenny does is make a back stitch have way thru a seam line and at the beginning and end of stitching lines

I made my last quilt by hand, and it's the second one I've done that way. It helps to not be in a rush, but I find that it's easier for me because I'm more accurate and I don't have to rip my mistakes out. :)