I used to hand quilt but arthritis has twisted my hands the past few years, so I am teaching myself to machine sew using a Juki TQ 2010 and mostly STD. It is very slow going, but I am learning and starting to branch out into FMQ. Have done a couple of king size quilts, but mostly small laps. I do miss the hand work though.

I hand quilt and machine quilt. If it's something that I will keep and love forever, I hand quilt. If it's something I need for a quick baby gift, or something for a nursing home, I'll machine quilt it. I usually SITD, not having quite mastered fmq yet. I recently found a large hoop that sits on the floor, but is very adjustable. I can pull the hoop toward me or away from me and raise it or lower it, so it is making my hand quilting much more enjoyable and a lot less painful!

I am an English Paper Piecer and love to hand quilt (I like embroidery of all kinds too.). There is not a lot of "lifetime" left for me to do all the amazing patterns on my "to do" list, so I am now machine piecing and quilting. I use (and love) vintage machines, but I recently saw the Sweet 16 Handiquilter in action and if I ever get a spare $6,000 (the cost here in Australia)...I would love to own one. Can't imagine life without my handwork....keeps me balanced and reasonably sane. Very meditative.

I hand quilt. Love it, but it does take a long time to finish a quilt.

Kyia

I've been hand quilting since I was 8, now 60. Didn't know what machine quilting was until I saw it at a show. Beautiful, but I'll keep the tradition going.

I do love tohand quilt...I have a circular hoop, kind of like a giant embroidery hoop. If I wake in the middle of the night, it is a quiet and prayerful activity. Great when waiting up for those almost-grown up kids!!! lol

I have to respond... Perle cotton on a double wedding ring? IMnsHO that thread is way too thick to use. You need a 50 or 60 weight and a between needle. Tiny needles, I know, but it helps with the placement of the stitches. Perle cotton is something used for a 'down home, country feeling' type quilt, not a lovely wedding ring quilt. Just my.02 cents.

.
I already took the perl cotton back and on the suggestion of another board member, I purchased Guterman Hand Quilting thread.

I also hand piece and hand quilt. Here is a question for those of you who do the same. Should I press my seams to one side or can I press them open? I'm asking this because when I press them to the side and SID, it makes it harder to make small stitches. However, if I press the seams open and SID, does it make the seam weaker since I'm not quilting OVER the seam. HELP

When I hand piece I always press the seam to one side. If I have to SID, then I do it on the side of the seam without the seam allowance. If I end up stitching through more than one layer of fabric, I don't worry about making small stitches.

The rationale I've read for pressing seams to one side is that it helps keep the batting from "leaking" through the seam, as well as strengthening the seam.

Janet

Thanks, Janet. That answers the dilemma for me. Just SID and don't worry about always making small stitches.

This is what quilting with #5 Pearle Cotton turns out like. It was my first hand quilting and It took quite a while with the #5. I never made that mistake again but it did set it off nicely and it is indeed cuddly. I love that quilt.....lol! http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...e-t8524-3.html