Years ago, the "older" ladies (and I am now 70) who taught me to handquilt used needles as small as 14s. So their stitches were sooooo tiny. I have never accomplished that. Do keep trying and practice. You will get to the size you want and it will be easy.

Ohhh.... 14s? Are you talking about a SIZE 14? I've never heard about that, the smallest I know are size 12...

:roll:

I too love hand quilting. I use a 14" hoop, size 11 or 12 needle, and a small jewelry pair of pliers. This way I can fill the tiny needle full of stitches making them more even and pulling through with pliers keeps my fingers from being sore.

Great tips!!

I have hand quilted for 27+ years. I also do rocking and get 9-11 to the inch. My stitches on the back are always a little smaller. That is ok, as long as they are even.

I agree with the 90' advice. My stitches are better when I make sure the needle is vertical as I stitch. If the needle goes in at a slant the stitches on the bottom tend to be off.

It is tape with lines on it to help measure the size of the stitch you make mos QS have it roefrench

If you're getting 8-l0 stitches per inch, that is beautiful. The important thing about the wrong side is that you have made the contact. Frankly, i wouldn't worry about having both sides the same. For me, that would be very difficult.

Another question: Do you care for the number of stiches you do per inch or not?

I do care - I try for 10-12, and I try for even. If I make it, great, if I don't, well, it won't ruin my day!

I figure if I try for small stitches most people won't notice if they aren't even. :)

Janet