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.

Thank you for your answers... I'll just keep practicing...

I think we have to figure out what works best for us. It takes time and patience to determine the best size of needle, the best thimble, etc.

The only way I can hand quilt - and get good results - is toward my body and using the rocking motion. It took LOTS of practice!

I can't quilt (well anyway) away from myself.

Oh, Andrea you've given me hope! I can only do single stitches, too! And I thought I'd never be an "expert" that way! Now I know I can still aspire to greatness!

For me an "expert" in hand quilting is not identified by the technique he or she uses - there are sooo many different ones! It's the result he or she achieves.

Enjoy your way of quilting and enjoy what you do!

That's the beauty of quilting without at hoop or frame...I can quilt in any direction I need to.

Ifw045, love Your avartar !!
next time I handquilt I'll pay attention which way
I quilt, mostly what feels right!

I am more comfortable quilting toward myself but on a frame it isn't always possible.

So if you do single stitches, are you doing a stab stitch, or do you still rock it? Secrets please! What a dream to be even able to quilt 1/4 as beautifully as you!

I don't do stab stitching - it's a kind of a rocking stitch but I pull out the needle after I put only one stich on it.
At the beginning of a new thread I don't pull the complete thread through the fabric, I leave a big "loop". After that I do several stitches and pull through the complete length of the thread. This is a little bit quicker and it prevents the thread of fraying too much.

guess the best method is the one that works best for you. i admire everyone that can hand quilt an entire quilt!

There are as many ways to hand quilt as there are quilters. Just do what feels natural to you. That is the best way.

I'm glad too! My rocking stitch is super messy, single
stitches work best for me.

I just found this thread. At first I stitched every which way I could. On the 3rd quilt I realized that I was moving my hoop around so that I could stitch toward myself. I always do that now. The way I learned to quilt with multiple stitches at a time also developed over a period of time. First I had to find a thimble that fit.(XS is too small & S is too big!)Even with the right thimble I still took just 1 stitch. After a while I would try 2 stitches about once an hour of quilting. When I could do 2 stitches regularly I started trying 3 every once in a while ect... I can do 5 or 6 stitches on a # 10 between quilting needle. When I try to use a #12 I can only do about 3 stitches at a time. I'm always trying to get better!!!

I've been hand-quilting for about 20years. I think the secret is in finding what comes natural. I sew in all directions (away from me, towards me,and sometimes from side to side) on a PVC floor frame. My stitches are small but that too comes with practice, I think. Rocking the needle creates a pretty and consistent stitch. Sew on!

Wow, thanks for all the information. This is bot encouraging and educational for me :D