Help for hoopless hand quilting
 

I am big stitch hand quilting without a hoop , as I find it easier for me. My problem is that I really struggle bunching up (or rolling) the quilt in my left hand so I can stitch (with my right hand) the center part of the quilt. I find this very hard and awkward at times (and my hand hurts holding the bunched quilt) and the stitches look more uneven and sloppy. This is the first time I have done this, and I am going very slowly, one stitch at a time. My right pointer finger is hurting from directing and moving the needle, especially in the awkward areas. Thank you for any advice or help! You always help me so much!

not sure if i will be of any help, but a fellow hand quilter in one of my quilt groups, hand quilts w/o a hoop. neither of us do big stitch, but when she is quilting she holds her left hand under the quilt the same way i do when using a hoop. she doesn't bunch the quilt body up into her left hand at all. it may take a bit of practice, but i think your stitches may become more even if you don't try holding the quilt the way you are now. just keep left hand under to guide needle from below. hope this helps.

I tend to agree w/roguequilter. I haven't done any hoopless hand quilting in a while but I don't recall bunching it up in my left hand either. I'm doing 'regular' stitching on my current on again-off again quilt but did 'big stitch' quilting on the last baby quilt I did. Not necessarily 'true' big stitching but bigger than my normal stitching and w/pearle cotton. I just don't remember if I used a hoop on that one or not...sorry.

Same tip from me! I don't do a lot of handstitching, but am working on one right now, without the hoop, and I just have my left hand under the stitches.

Good luck!

I agree. I hand quilt a lot but I do use a hoop.

My suggestion would be to get a large hoop and hoop *very, very loosely*. Even for regular hand quilting, you should be able to move the center of the quilt inside the hoop a good fist-length up and down. You can hoop much looser than that. Basically this controls the excess quilt material so your left hand can pinch or grab a small amount of quilt inside the hoop.

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will attempt them
all! I appreciate it so much that I can ask you for help. You all are So knowledgeable!

Don't try to collect all fabric in your left hand, instead put your left middle finger behind the stitch, and collect just one fold of quilt fabric with your thumb. Let the rest of the quilt drape over your left arm. This is how I hoopless quilt big or small stitch. Give it a try.

If you can't get comfortable with that, I recommend you QAYG keeping rows of quilting sandwich a maximum of about 18", then when you attach the 18" quilted strip to the remaining quilt, the maximum you will pinch is 18" to reach the attachment seam that now needs to be quilted.

Good Luck!

[QUOTE=Jane Quilter;8041323]Don't try to collect all fabric in your left hand, instead put your left middle finger behind the stitch, and collect just one fold of quilt fabric with your thumb. Let the rest of the quilt drape over your left arm. This is how I hoopless quilt big or small stitch. Give it a try.

This is what I do too. Just holding my hand under never worked for me. I gather in my left hand just what my hand will hold comfortably.

Lisa loves quilting, thank you for your advice. I am attempting this method. I do find it a little difficult, but maybe I will become used to it. I appreciate your help! Good idea!