I have learned many things over the years regarding how to this how to that when to this when to that why to this why to that. I still don't know everything, but I do know that I will never try to nor will I ever have a yearning for counting stitches. I know I will never put that on my to-do or gotta do list. It just isn't going to happen. I don't have the patience and kudos to all of you who can do it. Even and consistent is all that matters to me. As my eyes are getting older, the stitches are getting bigger. And that is okay by me.

I always figured if mine were smaller than Grandma's I was doing okay. They are no where near 10/inch but they are consistant! I like them and I don't have to please anyone but myself.
kathyd

Who counts??? :shock:

Who counts??? :shock:

I do. No hoop or frame either.

Only the top get counted, so my grandma used to say. She was adament that you never had less than 12/inch and I just looked on in awe!

Debbie,
Thanks for the info. I found and bought an old churn dash top made with vintage material and muslin. Thought that would be a good way to practice both hand work and machine!!

I only know one lady (in our guild) that says she quilts ten
stitches to the inch. She does beautiful applique and quilting, so I guess she is entitled to the "bragging rights."But, I agree with what most have said, try to get them even. It does come easier and a little better as you
do more of it. However the only thing we should expect is
that each person do the best they can...that's good enough.

Put your ruler down at the first top stitch and count the stitches on top down to the next inch mark. That will tell you how many stitches you get to the inch. Do not count the bottom stitches.

I think the posters were "keeping it light" not trying to be snippy.
Counting stitches is a legacy from our past when hand work was one of a ladies' "accomplishments" (see Jane Austin, LOL). Girls began their needlework educations early. Sewing a "fine seam" was a standard, and not just among the well-to-do classes. Imagine a garment put together with coarse stitches--the seams would gape and washday would be a disaster. A button hole not carefully worked would sag, tear and not hold a button.

High standards were expected in embroidery and quilting, too, partly aesthetics and partly practicality. Tiny stitches produced a tight, durable seam. Think how, today, we are advised to use very short machine stitches when we want to securely join fabrics. When working with the loose batting of the past, close, fine quilting stitches were the best way to secure a smooth, even, non-shifting filling.

When quilting revived nationally, quilt enthusiasts began looking at old quilts and marveled at the tiny stitches. Oh, they said, ten, twelve, fourteen stitches to the inch! This fine stitching would have been most evident in the quilts likely to survive the years, 'best' quilts, bridal, etc. Everyday quilts were
often long gone and most likely to have been done with longer stitches. The close, fine stitching of the past was a mark of quality and skill.

Quilters who make "Dear Jane" want to emulate a quilt of the past and might also like to emulate the quilting standards of that by-gone era.

Some quilters love 'wonky' and some abhor it.
Some quilters love traditional fine handwork, some enjoy machines. We admire corners that match, seams that lay flat and no one questions those standards nor should the quilter interested in fine stitching be discouraged or disparaged.