Since i need to do the basting and quilting first.....before the binding... do you prefer to hand quilt or machine quilt and why? Thanks for your advice. I have seen a lot of pics and see how talented you all are so any advice is greatly appreciated :)

I prefer hand quilting. It is relaxing to me. It takes a lot longer but I love the look of it. I am an old fashioned girl.

Machine quilting for me. I don't have the patience for hand-quilting (although I REALLY like the look of it), and don't have strong enough up-close eyesight for it to do it for long.

The last one I just cheated and did the ties in it :O shhh. I want to do this one right all the way though. It is for my man for christmas!

I prefer hand quilting. I love the look and feel of it.And I enjoy doing it.

I have not really tried my hand on any hand sewing is it difficult or just time consuming? I have plenty of time....if it is something you think a beginner could handle.

Yes it is a simple running stitch. It is not difficult. just time consuming to get the stitches consistent. Consistency is key. Don't stress out when your stitches are not consistent in the beginning. and as you do more the stitches will get smaller. your needle size will determine the size of the stitches.

What is the best size needle for hand quilting or does it depend on certain things?

Betweens are for quilting. They are very small and thin. Start with something larger if you prefer. To start with a between might be more frustrating then you need. Get the hang of it with the smallest needle you feel comfy with then move on to a between. You need to get used to a thimble too.

So I need to get a thimble, needles, the pencil to write on the quilt, quilters frame, anything else?

depends on a lot of things - how thick your batting is one of the big factors -

I think most people say that (more or less) even stitches is a higher priority than tiny stitches.

Maybe start with something like a pillow top or wall hanging - like less than 15 inches square?

Something for the design? A stencil or template - some people use 1/4 inch masking tape for guidelines.

yes I agree. Start small and with thin batting. Just like with piecing, consistency is the most important thing. Small stitches will come in time.

I saw someone that just used a lid as their pattern i thought that I would try that... if you think that would be a good first starter.

Ok. :) I will practice and get my stitching down! Thanks for all of the super wonderful tips and ideas! :)

Straight lines would be easiest, but learning to go in all directions is good too.

Ok would be it be better to just quilt the straight line along my squares or triangles then?

You can look at my 9 patch that I finished last week. I quilted an "X" across each block. that may be an idea.

You should start with straight lines, then move on to curves, then circles.

Many times, I have thought of machine quilting, but I know I would do a rotten job, and I cannot afford to have a professional do it, so I started to do the quilting myself by hand. Now, I would not have it any other way. When I am gone, my family with have quilts made with love, completely by ME.

i love the hand quilting - it far surpasses machine quilting. but i have this problem - i'm already old and if i hand quilted something i might not get it done before my life on earth is over, so i have to hurry up and machine quilt, lol. is that a good enough reason?

I prefer machine quilting (even the simple stitch in the ditch)...I just don't have the time for so much hand quilting..... :lol: (may be if I would start younger I would have one done by now... :lol:

Well Im not YOUNG YOUNG but I am 29 so i figure (god willing) I have some time ahead to quilt away :)

I usually just baste my quilts using spray and safety pins, then quilt something simple...
I piece my backings, nothing fancy.
I hand stitch the back of the bindings..something I really hate to do.
Hope this helps
Kirsten

I hand quilt my quilts - RARELY tie - I just don't like the look of it - not saying it's bad!! I would love to one day get a quilting machine (probably never will :)) but only for speed - - I LOVE hand quilting and will do it until my poor fingers cannot move!! :)

bless u , i've never done any hand quilting and probably won't ever, i just started this quilt making about 3 years ago. and i've never had a hand quilted quilt either. none of my ancestors quilted. a hundred years from now people will still be in awe looking at your hand-quilted quilts, just such an heirloom.

very well said dojo :D

I love the look of hand quilting, but I just can't get the hang of it. So, all my quilts are machine quilted. I love that part of quilting. I just get into the zone and it really is relaxing for me.