Since you haven't hand quilted before absolutely do some small project or two, as mentioned such as pot holders or a pillow. Then you can get the feel for it. And the type of batting can affect the stitch length. Polyester type batting will be hard to get as small a stitch length as cotton or wool batting because it has a lot more loft. Maybe use some different batting in your practice pieces. (not poly in potholders!) perhaps you could make a couple of accent pillows to co-ordinate with the quilt and do some practice quilting on them.

Judging by your redwork I'm sure your quilting will be wonderful and you will get more satisfaction doing the whole quilting process yourself. I know I would. As far as inconsistencies of having a group quilt your quilt, let me just say our group (15) all different levels of hand quilting abilities on our quilts (me being one of the poorest) but somehow is all looks great inspite of or maybe because of the inconsistencies.

Your quilt is ab-SEW-lutely Breathtaking!!! I would never consider letting anyone else touch it. You've invested 7 years into a masterpiece... Your handwork is beautiful and you will have no trouble with the "hand quilting with a tad bit of practice. Uniformity is the key to beautiful hand quilting and once you get the feel of the needle you'll flow right along. And in the long run.........you will be SEW pleased with your decision to do it yourself.

I luv Redwork............ and I must say this is one of the prettiest pieces I've seen.....Thanks for sharing.


Blessings.........Anna Adelia

I bought this panel in Hannibal Mo. At the quilt shop on the street that runs east and west from the visitor center.I love that shop.
I'm not sure if they are available any longer.
I loved it immediately.
Never thinking it would take so long to finish.
The quilt lines are on the panel.
Your comments are very nice.
Thanks everyone.
You have helped me make up my mind to try hand quilting this myself. Who knows it may take a few years.j ;)

And no reason for any bad feelings. Just say watching them quilt inspired you to go home and try it yourself!!

after working on it already for 7 yrs., what's another year for hand quilting. I agree with others - you've done such beautiful embroidery work that hand quilting will not be all that hard for you.

I agree with everyone here that you should finish the quilt. If you can embroider like that you should have no problem hand quilting. It is very beautiful and I envy your embroidery skills.

If you have not hand quilted before you need to get something sandwiched that you can practice on first.

You might think it should be easy to make perfect stitches but it is not as easy as you think. I had never hand quilted before and started on a wallhanging for me.
Well my first stitches left a lot to be desired but when I got to the finish the stitches were much better.

Perfect stitches can take a lot of practice. Is there really such a thing as perfect in this world?

These are just my thoughts and observations about how hand quilting was for me. Mine isn't perfect but I absolutely love doing it.

Chris

I agree if you do not like the quilting stitches seen, you will always wish you hadn't let them quilt it. Get a square of fabric and a thin piece of batting large enough to fit into a hoop. After cutting out the fabric and batting, draw 5 lines (as straight as possible) across the top of the fabric. Put the fabric into the hoop, and then tighten the hoop using the tension control. Practice to get even stitiches. Not so much how small. Just practice,practice,practice till you are satisfied with how it looks. Then start on your quilt.

Yes, do it yourself or at least insist that it be quilted by one person. Group quilting can vary in quality. Difference in quilt quality might work in a large quilt but not likely in a small quilt.
Design is effective in red work.
I would suggest small grid in background. To grid evenly I would measure each 1" all around and then connect the dots. 1" will give you a finished grid of 3/4". It might be more effective with a smaller grid. If this is the case you can mark the edge at 3/4" which would then quilt down at about a 1/2" grid. You might also consider quilting around each of the embroidery motifs to give defination amd make the red work stand out.