Skipping stitches on back (hand quilting)
 

Hi all! I am brand new here and have never posted a question to a thread in a forum in my life! There's got to be a first time for everything, right?!? Hope I'm doing this right ...

So here's my question: I am working on my very first quilt (machine pieced, Warm & Natural batting, Kona cotton backing). I thread basted the sandwich and am now in the process of hand quilting it. I am using Gutermann hand quilting thread and a size 12 needle (I think it's a John James but not sure). I am able to get pretty even, tiny stitches (anywhere between 8 and 10 per inch) but every now and then I miss a stitch on the back (meaning my stitches go through either just the pieced top or the top and batting but not the backing fabric).

Is there something I can do to regulate this or to ensure that my stitches pass entirely through the quilt sandwich without my having to constantly turn the quilt over to check? I am able to quilt with and without a hoop and I have had this problem while using the hoop and without. Any help and or suggestions would be appreciated!

Thank you all in advance,

Erin

I use a thimble on both hands and when I poke the needle through I hit that bottom thimble so I know I went all the way through. If I don't do this I get missed stitches as well. Hth, Gina
Also, welcome to the boards!

I put my other hand underneath and feel for the needle. I still get them from time to time, but not as much as I used to.

Practice - Practice - Practice!!! Maybe you should concentrate on the correct stitch - front and back - than the "stitches per inch". That will come with more experience, I am sure. HTH

I keep the middle finger of my left hand up against the underside of the quilt and rock with my right hand. I insert the needle at a 90 degree angle and once I feel the little prick of the needle against the underside finger, I know to rock back up to take another stitch. Over time, you develop a callus on the finger to protect it.

I do the same thing. I tried using a thimble on my left (underside) hand but I have to feel the needle come through.

Hi Erin, welcome from NE Ohio.

I took a class for the two thimble quilting - it was wonderful - don't have to hold the needle just rock it in and out by bouncing it off the underneath thimble. Need to take that class again now that I have the time to do some hand quilting.

I just lightly prick the finger undederneath..after a while I don't feel it LOL

Thank you all for the wonderful replies! I will have to look into the two thimble method. For right now I think the answer is to practice practice practice. I really look forward to "hanging out" with you all; I have been lurking for a couple of months and have found these boards to be an invaluable resource :)

I do hand quilting, but I am afraid it is not that wonderful "rocking" method. I just cannot do it.. my method?..push needle up from the bottom, then down and then up. then down and back up. repeat....LOL...takes longer, but so far no one has complained how it looks and I usually do it while watching tv, so I don't mind. or I just tie it.

I am right handed and only handquilt in a hoop. My left hand is underneath and I feel for the needle to scrape my index finger. When my index finger gets sore, I switch to my middle finger. Eventually I build up a callous. I have to feel the needle but many can do it with a thimble on their underneath finger. There is also a tool called an "Aunt Becky" that can assist with this and if you want to go real old school, you can use a spoon. I am fine with using my finger.

I would recommend choosing a different batting in the future. W&N is an absolute bear to handquilt and while you can, I think you will find other battings much more cooperative and easier to needle. W&N is fine for machine quilting. If you prefer 100% cotton, spring for Quilters Dream or Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon. You will notice an improvement in ease of stitching and getting smaller stitches immediately.

Erinezavala, even stitches on the back will come with practice.

Apart from lots of practice try using a slightly longer needle might make all the difference and you can still keep your stitches small

Welcome and I have had the same problem. Good suggestions to fix it.