It took me about 60 hours to do a trip around the world. My stitches are even but not tiny.

When I was doing it consistently on a daily basis I was able to do a simple cross hatch from corner to corner of 2-1/2" squares fairly quickly. However now that I pick it up at random and may work on something for less than an hour at a time (waiting on car repairs, dentist office, etc) it takes me years. Lol!

quilt straight lines rather than curves and feathers, fast and it really sets off the quilt nicely.
you can do piano key or angled, they both look good.
I use a one inch ruler and an air erase marker, just marking what I have time to quilt in that setting. You can get an amazing amount of square inches quilted that way :)

it takes me FOREVER! I enjoy watching TV and hand quilting.. but nothing ever gets done at that rate.....

I just finished hand quilting a vintage DWR double bed size quilt top. It took about 180 hours,but I also told myself that it's a utility,not a show quilt and did 6 stitches per inch. I also quilted a GMFG. With 1 1/2 hexies..around both sides of each seam..double bed size....it took over 500 hours. The time it takes is dependent on how many stitches per inch,and whether or not it's an elaborate design. I go faster if I machine baste with water soluble thread and don't put it in a hoop. I would choose a straight line grid pattern..and a good- sized one! Good luck!

Not bragging, but I have hand quilted a king size in 3 weeks or less, working on it all the time., It usually, takes me about 6 or 7 weeks, quilting every evening.

Oh wow, I wish I could do one that fast. I watch tv so ya that doesn't help but some evenings I mostly listen to stuff while quilting.

Thanks to everyone that messaged me and helped stop worrying so much about not being able to finish. I will try working on the boarder tonight.