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Do not be so hard on yourself. Start out slowly, doing it your own way and then the rest will come. I could never do it using a hoop or frame. Still do not rock the needle and at first I stuck myself all the time. I was just determined to win this one and finally I did and so can you. Let us know how it goes over time.
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LOL, your post is really funny.
I'm a blood donor (apheresis every two weeks), so I guess I should just stick with machine quilting. |
Where you peeking over my shoulder at my hand quilting class a week ago? I tried in the hoop, without, thimble (4 different ones), no thimble and after a week of daily practice here and there it is suddenly easier. Trying for consistency whether one stitch at a time or several gets easier too, hang in there!
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I much prefer to handquilt because i can relax in a chair or on the couch to work. I use a 10 needle, the thinner the needle the better. (John James needles are toooooooo fat for me). any knot will do as long as it stays in the batting. As far as thimbles go, i cannot use a metal one. every time i try, i push with a different finger. i really like the flexible leather ones. they stop the back of the needle from going into my finger and conform to my fingers too. I have tried to use the hoops, but they are just in the way, i need to be able to manipulate the fabric and the hoop, no matter how loose, keeps me from it. once you get the hang of it, it is very relaxing and you can watch tv or carry a conversation and quilt all at the same time...... good luck and keep practicing.
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My first two quilts I stabbed stiched. Didn't know any better. I'm glad they were just small lap quilts.
A friend of mine told me, "when you feel that needle prick your under finger, turn it up, when you see it coming through the fabric turn it down." I haven't had much trouble since. You do have to get a calous on your under the quilt finger. Don't be discouraged, just practic,practic, practice. simple quilter |
You are so funny. I totally understand and enjoyed your lightheartedness. Good luck. I am sure you will be the best in no time.
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to mitches mom--your piece on hand quilting made me laugh,I needed that! I give you credit, I am still reading up on it
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Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
I thank all of you for the condolences and the encouragement. I'm not ready to give up, I really want to learn to do hand quilting. I don't know of anything prettier than a whole cloth quilt. I didn't realize I would need a degree in engineering and the Bloodmobile on stand by to stick a needle in some fabric. I didn't know it was OK to stab one stitch at a time - I can do that!
I am going to try to return the Q Snap frame today. My fingers are actually sore from trying to remove the clips. I'll look for a conventional hoop and try hooping the fabric some other time when I feel there are not enough things going wrong in my life. For now, I'll stick to the hoop-less method. If hand quilting can be done without a hoop, why do the quilt videos and magazines all show people using hoops? The only time I have felt more disappointment was going to Victoria's Secret and realizing the only thing in the store I could wear is the lotion! I swear they have it there as a consolation prize for we women of ample proportions. I'll try again this evening and report back. I have to get ready for work. You all have a fun, quilt and fabric filled day! Tracy You have a great sense of humor. |
I watched many YOU TUBE videos to get the quilter's knot..
Watch one of Sharon Schamber's quilting videos. Try this....hold threaded needle in RIGHT hand, place about 1/2 inch of the long end of this piece of thread BEHIND the needle (end of thread pointing to sky). Then with LEFT hand wrap around needle 3 times,,,and take the wraps off needle with RIGHT fingernails sliding them down the needle and down long piece of thread until almost the end of thread and pull tight. This is what makes that knot. (Hope that I explained it well enough for you to understand). I've got the knot figured out, I am still working on the rest. I have used Sharon Schamber's method of quilting without a hoop and like it. |
This could be me. I can just see it happening. Only I would have to add that I would have a cat under me trying to play with the needle and thread! Virg
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Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
I have
Needles: John James package sizes 3 through 9 Thread: Aurifil 40wt Beeswax Wool Batting Q snap 11 x 17 lap frame Thimbles: John James metal with the ridge on the top and a Comfort Thimble (It smells and my needle gets stuck in it ) I ironed 2 fat quarters, cut a piece of batting, traced a stencil on the top fabric, basted it all together, put it in the frame. It seemed too tight so I tried to loosen it a bit. I got an instant manicure trying to remove the clips from the frame. OK. Operator error obviously - since there are no instructions with the frame - the manufacturer must feel it is idiot proof. I arranged the fabric looser, put the clips back on, the fabric pretty much went right back where it was originally. Fine. I managed to get my needle threaded! I watched 3 different videos to figure out how to make a quilters knot by wrapping the thread around the needle. It looks easy enough. Not for this simpleton. I wound the thread around my finger and made a knot. I know enough to start in the middle, I started off to the side a bit to hide my knot and brought the needle up through the fabric. I put the needle down through the fabric, stabbed my finger, pulled the needle out, stopped the bleeding, tried again. I got the needle down with no more bloodshed, using the thimble I tried to do the "rocking" to get a couple stitches on the needle. No joy - the fabric is still too tight. I tried to loosen it again. The frame fell apart. I totally suck at this and I am light headed from blood loss. Why is this so darned difficult?! I do hope you try again. It can be relaxing. |
Originally Posted by erstan947
I have tried all type of combinations. What works for me is a 14" round hoop. I rest my quilt and hoop on a card table. I am able to get my quilt sandwich the right tension. If you have seen any of borntohandquilt quilting it is amazing. She only does one stitch at a time. I am doing much better with the one stitch method. It is trial and error until you get what works for you:)
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Originally Posted by sailsablazin
I watched many YOU TUBE videos to get the quilter's knot..
Watch one of Sharon Schamber's quilting videos. Try this....hold threaded needle in RIGHT hand, place about 1/2 inch of the long end of this piece of thread BEHIND the needle (end of thread pointing to sky). Then with LEFT hand wrap around needle 3 times,,,and take the wraps off needle with RIGHT fingernails sliding them down the needle and down long piece of thread until almost the end of thread and pull tight. This is what makes that knot. (Hope that I explained it well enough for you to understand). I've got the knot figured out, I am still working on the rest. I have used Sharon Schamber's method of quilting without a hoop and like it. |
Try an Aunt Becky or similar on the under-finger, there should be no need to call in the Red Cross. And get a good book on hand-quilting, such as Jinny Beyer's.
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rofl are you sure your not my secret sister ???? even my husband said that sounded exactly like me. maybe im just too chicken to try hand quilting even though im pretty good at counted cross stitch theres those holes to keep my stitches even i think i would suck at handquilting too. i would love to learn but not sure i could get the hang of it after all i nearly flunked the sewing part of home economics. im sure my home ec teacher would die of heart failure to know im quilting.
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When I hand quilted, I did not use a hoop - I just layed it on my lap one hand on top one on bottom and it worked out just fine. I don't like to use a hoop - for me they're more bother than helpful.
So I would suggest you forget about using the hoop for now at least. |
I could never work with frames, i havent tried but i do know that with the fabric free allows you to bend it to your will.
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Keep practicing. Your fingers will stop hurting when you are used to it. do make the fabric looser. It will help. I use a stand up scroll frame (Gracie EZ). I started with a hoop frame and it worked well. Don't worry about what everyone else says. Do what works for you. I buy needles and hand quilting thread at Walmart. Works for me. Experiment.
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Thanks for the chuckle. I thought it was just me that had a hard time getting started. There are many quilts out there that have an extra appliqué or two because I bled on the quilt when I was still learning how to hand quilt. By hey, if someone ever tries to steal the quilt from the reciepent, we can always use DNA matching to prove who's it is.
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I hand quilt without a hoop. It is easier and more relaxing for me. I also have a finger cot on my thumb which helps stabilize the needle so that it doesn't slip and that gives me more control of the needle. You will get used to loading more than one stitch on the needle as you go along. I use a 10 between and it works very well for me. You'll find what works for you and you'll fall in love with it!
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Mitch's Mom, Keep at the hand quilting. You'll come to love it. I certainly have. I've got everything down except the straight and even stitches part. But it's enjoyable and the results suite me, because I improve little by little as time goes on. The best part is that after awhile it just starts to come naturally (I think it's called muscle memory). I can now just sit and relax and enjoy the beautiful quilt on my lap. So, just keep doing it.
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Well, I have to admit, the first day or two of hand-quilting were anything but relaxing for me, but if you persevere (and look for some good online videos and tutorials) eventually it will all come together and be fun.
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I also have watched Alex and all the other quilting shows and they have all scared the heck out of me. Had me thinking their way was the only way to hand quilt and the only way to have a professional looking quilt. What a relief to know that it's okay to do what works best for me. Thanks all of you.
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I enjoyed this post so much!! I quilted with a hoop for years and finally got a Qsnap and I don't like it one bit! And using it causes me to have back problems!!
I am a hand quilter because I don't know how to use a machine! I'm jealous of everyone who can piece and who can machine quilt while I'm just poking along :) But I do enjoy quilting, even though I got away from it for 10 years- I'm glad to be back! I'm in TN, too (Knoxville). If you're close, we can help each other! |
I'll help you hand-quilt, if you'll help me with my quilt frame! :)
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It sounds like the q-snap frame is your primary issue. Either don't use a hoop at all or go to JoAnn's fabrics and get a round or oval 14" frame. They are dirt cheap there. It's all I use. So much better than big $$ for some other frames. Use the stab-stich (one stitch at a time) method until you become more comfortable. You will eventually develop a callous on your 'under' finger. Until then, blood loss is inevitable. Even after, sometimes. I usa Roxanne needles and a Thimblelady stainless steel thimble. Get one of the plastic ones first to see if that works for you. You push with the pad of your finger with them instead of the tip...might be better for you. I also like her needles - they are longer and sometimes easier to manage but it depends on your batting...IMO. I use Warm & Natural batting so not so much. So the Roxanne's work better for me. I hate John James needles. Can't use them. But it's personal preference. You WILL find what works for you.
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Loved your post! It feels good to laugh! (Laugh with, not at!) My first quilt was a king-size quilt for my daughter. Yeah, I jumped in feet first, didn't give a thought that maybe I couldn't handle it. So, I just did it! A lady at my office gave me limited instructions. I hand pieced it and hand quilted it. What I used, and it worked fine for me, was the Q-Snap floor frame (although now I sometimes just quilt hoopless.) I used a #10 between from Wal-Mart, have no idea what brand it was. I used one of those cheapie little plastic thimbles, one size fits all, and still love them to this day! I stuck and bled, too - goes with the territory. I found some little plastic sticky things to put on the pad of your finger to protect it from sticks. Love those little things! They helped sooooo much. Bottom line is, I really didn't know what I was doing, but stuck with it until it was done. Just a bowtie pattern, nothing fancy. Used Warm & Natural cotton batting. That quilt turned out so pretty and is still one of my favorites! (Haven't made that many yet, just now working on #6.) The quilt police would probably tear it to pieces, but I, and my daughter, love that quilt. So please, don't give up! Hang in there. You'll be so glad you did. I still love to hand piece and hand quilt, and I think you will, too, because the desire is there. Good luck!
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You might just be one of us who hates frames and hoops and prefers to hand quilt without anything of the sort. Try it....make sure you have basted it sufficiently and start in the middle and go for it. You'll never look at a frame or hoop again.
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I'm with her I bought all of the stuff needed for the Hand Quilting class, tore my fingers up, can't work comfortably with thimble, we were working from the 14" hoop but I never quite figured it out. I just think I'm better off with machine quilting. I feel quilty because I normally don't back down to a challenge.
If your working with small pieces like for a scrappy pattern as your working on the pieces you don't have a piece big enough to go in the hoop. I almost feel defeated with it maybe in the new yr I'll try and do some work on it again. My problem is writing down instructions doesn't help me much I need someone to show me the steps and then I'm ok. |
don't give up it will come to you naturally with a bit of practice - I never got on with a frame and once I stopped using one I was off and running - also try a longer needle to start with and then work your way down to a smaller one because just mastering using a teeny tiny needle is in a world of its own
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Found an educational hand quilting video on you tube. I've learned a lot from you tube videos. This one demonstrates the quilter's knot and rocking the needle. Here's the link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVO3R7KBo84 |
Once you get the rocking motion, you will be fine. It doesn't happen overnight for a lot of people. Some people use a spoon underneath in order to stop the bloodshed...
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So sorry to hear of your struggles..... I remember having some of the same problems when I first started hand quilting. I went to my LQS to get some tips..... they were so helpful.
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I hate the Q-snap frame. I use a 14 inch wooden one. Try to find a used one. The newer ones aren't made well. Use a longer needle until you get the hang of it and maybe do one stitch at a time. Do you embroider. If you've ever made a french knot you can make the quilting knot the same way.
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You might try using a wooden hoop instead of the snap frame. I tried a snap frame and also a plastic hoop one time. I hated them! It was hard to get the material how I wanted it. I was frustrated with it just like you. I don't consider myself and expert since I have only been hand quilting for about two years now. But I have learned a lot by trial and error. (Lots of errors.) LOL! Like you I didn't have anyone to teach me. I learned from watching quilting shows and youtube videos. Most people I have talked to had trouble getting the fabric to rock at first. Don't worry so much about that. Just start quilting and it will come automatically with time. Just remember the rocking of the material is really done more by lifting the fabric with the hand underneath the fabric. The more you use the thimble the less awkward it will be. Try different fingers to see which one is more comfortable. Most people don't quilt with their thumb but I do. It's a little different because you quilt away from you instead of towards. Like you I tried doing the quilters knot like they showed on youtube and I couldn't do it either. I don't know if the quilters knot is actually better. I just try to make a small clean knot and it works fine for me. I hope you won't get discouraged. I think the more you do it the easier it will become. It really is a joy to quilt once you get use to it.
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What size needle are you using?
Hate to say it but I believe your frame is part of the problem, especially for the beginning quilter as it is difficult to get it adjusted just right. You need flexibility in the layers and it is difficult to get it in the way the frame works. I have always had difficulty getting the wooden frame to hold the layer consistant. I like the 14" no slip hoop available at stores and shops. The way the inside of the ring is constructed allows the layer to remain constant when you get it set. Many of my students switch when they have a class with this hoop. A coupon makes it more reasonable price. I will put the sandwich in the hoop, smooth and make it really tight and then loosen it so I have the flexibility needed to get easy stitching. Also, the suggestion above is to do only one stitch at the time. Don't try to fill the needle when you first start. The important thing is to get the needle thru the layers and back up in a consistent way. Start paracting with1/8" gingham check (an only find blends now) but will give you lines and spaces to work on. And in practice use a constracting thread so you can see your stitches. |
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