I only do handquilting except for the charity quilts that require machine quilting. I've decided I'm a very tactile person. I have done some sort of hand work for most of my 56 years. I knit, crochet, needlepoint, cross stitch, embroider, etc. I find handquilting, and any handwork for that matter, very relaxing as it forces me to think, at least, a bit about what I'm working on and not what else is going on in the world.

I cut out templates on stiff paper, usually paper bags that come from the grocery store. I do use sissors mostly, but sometimes use a rotary cutter. I'm kind of a "make do" quilter and use whatever I have in the house that will help me cut a square, triangle, etc. for use in my quilting.

I love to sit and hand quilt, but my stitches aren't the prettiest you've ever seen. I try to use a thread color that blends in so it isn't so noticeable. I sure is relaxing. I use a hoop.

I would love to but my hands will not let me do it. But I do make all of my quilts on a treadle so that should count for something :mrgreen:

Billy

It sure does count for something. I learned on a treadle. Must keep your legs toned right up!

I found that my matching is more accurate when I piece by hand, also. I'm working on my first hand pieced and hopefully hand quilted quilt. I've made a few machine pieced and quilted and or tied quilts, but i am enjoying doing it by hand. I love how portable it is!

I was surprised when I travelled in the UK how many quilters hand sewed. Then I realised that instead of driving to work, they commuted on the bus, train or ferry -- and used that time to quilt. And so many also did gorgeous counted cross stitch. I can't even do a printed pattern -- I'm never satisfied with my uneven stitches
Mim

All I do is hand quilting. I am working on my fourth one now--a remake of one my grandmother made sometime before 1940.

I do but only for special pieces for family or friends. It is relaxing and has a different (I'm not saying better or worse)look than machine quilting.

I machine quilt on a DSM for charity quilts like QKF. I'm not great at it, but sometimes done is better than perfect.

What is old school quilting? By hand?