I have noticed that when I see someone hand quilting or a picture of someone hand quilting, that they are sewing towards their body. Their needle hand (hand sewing) is turn back toward the body. Is this the secret of tiny stitches?
I stitch parallel to my body when I am hand sewing.
Thanks for any tips on hand sewing

I think most people quilt towards themselves. I quilt with my thumb away from my self. I don't think direction has anything to do with stitch size.

Could it be a more natural way to hold the materials, so hands aren't bent at an unnatural direction ?
Have to see what the pros say...

I also quilt towards my body and I do single stitches. For me personally this is the "secret" of doing tiny stitches - but I think other quilters prefer a different way of quilting. Everybody has to find out what works best for him/her and there is no general rule. I know many hand quilters and they all have their own method, all use different tools. The result is what counts!

Ergonomically, keeping the wrist straighter is better.

It's more comfortable for me to hand quilt towards me I do it in both directions.

I hand quilt toward me also. I guess that's how I was taught. I honestly don't remember.

Since I use a floor frame, I quilt towards myself and away from myself, and sometimes from side to side.

I don't think that's the secret to small stitches - making sure the needle doesn't come out of the sandwich too far, and that your quilt tension isn't too tight is.

Janet

I have noticed that too. Any time I try it is very uncomfortable. I stitch parallel to my body too. I keep trying, but it feels very difficult to me. I guess I need to just keep trying.
Sue

I stitch parallel to my body too.