I am hand quilting a project, an irish chain, I haven't quilted in several years and even then consider myself a new quilter, I have only quilted 3 or 4 small projects. I'm kind of surprised that I have fairly small stitches, so I am pleased. I love all hand work. My question is, How do you quilt through the thick intersections, I have tried the stab stitch, up and down with one stitch, but then they are rather crooked. Do you plan your quilting so as not to go through any thick spots? When you are piecing do you press your seams open to avoid the thick seam allowances? Help!

I try my best to avoid them. If you press your seams opposite directions that helps.

I'm not the world's best hand quilter so I shouldn't even be giving advice.

I try to avoid, but for a double irish chain, I know the diagonals call for quilting through them. So, just take it one stitch at a time instead of stacking several stitches on the needle. It'll take some practice and some work, and they'll get closer, but they won't be quite as close as other areas.

I try to pay attention to the pressing, too. Trying to make sure I don't end up 8 layers of fabric on top of each other.

I think I've heard of people going back over that area and filling in the "missing" stitches (the gaps, basically)???? I don't do this. I just quilt and no one notices....

If you know where you are going to "handquilt" when planing the quilt, press your seams away from the area. I try to do that, but I seldom get all out of my way. I do the one up one down through the areas I didn't get pressed out of the way. The stiches aren't as close, or straight, but the recipients have never complained. I cringe, because I want to do better, But I know it was done with love, and that is how I accept my imperfections!!!! I love the look of handquilting, and do it to all I know will be treated with care. Others I tie!!!!!

I f i come to one that is to thick.......I run my needle a ways through the batting, till I come to a easier spot. No one has noticed yet. No crooked stitch to give me away :D :wink:

Crooked stitches are just fine I think. Once you finish a quilt, the overall beauty makes those stray stitches just disappear. Nobody notices them :)

Lately, I have been trying to avoid them. I have a tough time with the thick parts. I press to the dark whenever possible, so I think about where I want to go and mostly it works.