when doing the stsb stitching in the thick areas - I do look to see where the needle is going in on the back and poking through on the front before pulling the thread through.

I agree. That is why I don't do much hand quilt. I do have a GFG and one day I may break down and start hand quilting that.

Thanks everyone. It took a lot of frustration and stress for me to decide not to worry about the back. I do not plan to show this quilt and it will get washed so I quilt for the end goal of completion (this quilt has been in the frame for over a year now!!!) and satisfaction of actually having done it all myself.

Perhaps my next one can be show worthy :thumbup:!

I'd just stab stitch through those areas - one stitch at a time.