I am trying to learn Aunt Becky. Did it take you a little while to master the tripod hold on the needle and thimble? Also I am not sure I have the right size thimble from Jean Brown. Thanks for any comments.

For me hand quiltig is an independent craft. It can be combined with piecing and appliqué in a wonderful way, but it also can stand on it's own.
Hand quilting is like hand writing - every quilter has her/his personal way of doing it, there is no right or wrong, what works good for you may not work for others. The result is that counts.

Andrea said it all. My favorite quilt is a wholecloth one. I love to purchase what we call "cheater's cloth" preprinted fabrics that look like a pieced or appliqued work. By the time I handquilt the piece it looks just like a pieced or appliqued work. I use a leather thimble on both my right middle finger and my left thumb. I also taught myself to quilt with both hands. When using a stationary frame it is the only way to comfortably quilt from left to right. I guess I was able to master the technique because I both learned to play the piano and touch type. Both skills call for using both hands equally.
In my youth I used size 12 in-betweens. Now I am forced to use at least a 9. I like my needles short and thin. Handquilting is sort of a zen thing. I can carry on a conversation, watch TV or a movie or just listen to the radio. I certainly can't do most of those things while machine quilting. It is also portable if it is a small project. I always pack a small project when traveling.

I certainly agree with you. There is nothing that takes the place of hand quilting. To me, no rules apply because it is your own masterpiece and there will be no other like it.

I have a Marian's Magic Quilting Thimble but could not master it. I now use Diamond Thimbles.

What is the world is Aunt Becky? Or is it "Who is she?"

I will look into diamond thimbles. I have never heard of it. Thanks. Always looking for something better.

Do you use Diamond Thimbles on the underneath finger? where did you buy this thimble. I searched the Internet and one I found is for a finger that is used on top of the quilt.

I have found that I really enjoy hand quilting. I pin baste the heck out of whatever I am going to quilt. Then I sit in the living room and hand quilt and watch TV with my DH.

I continually work to find methods to make my quilting stitches look better. I don't use a hoop or a frame, I just have it in my lap and stitch, stitch, stitch til bedtime.
Course I gotta get up off the couch every once in a while if I want to be able to walk to the bedroom when it is bedtime. Gettin' older you know!!

I own a hinterberg quilting frame-haven't used it for a long time, my DH bought me a used Grace frame--no place to set it up now, also have a Qsnap quilting frame--have used that the most.

Chris

Yes, the underneath finger. Took me a little bit to master it, but I use it most of the time now. I got it at Clotilde. It is a little blue semi-soft thimble.

Thank you for the info.

I hand quilt without thimbles; I find using thimbles makes my stitches uneven and too large. I suffer the sore fingers for a day or two until I can quilt again. I took a lesson on a Gammill Longarm at a local shop and then rented time in order to get my four quilts ready for this Christmas. Finished last weekend. Whew! Working on potholders now, using up the leftover cotton batting.

I will always hand quilt. There's just something satisfying in finishing a quilt that is your own handwork creation. I guess that's the old school in me. It's calming and I don't get stressed out. I use a large oval hoop that is on a stand. I pin from the center out and quilt the same way. I have done some large quilts like this. I use several kinds of thimbles. try till you find what works for you. I use 9 betweens and hand quilting thread.

Oh man, I could go on & on & on & on about hand quilting!! It's definitely my first love in the quilting world. I'm learning to piece & Sid on the sewing machine. I've got a great stash going & 'am planning my sewing studio. I'm behind in collecting sewing machines ( I've only got 7, OK 5 'cause I gave 2 to DD! LOL.) But my true love is Hand Quilting! I've always got a project going. With my large extended family it seems that someone's always in the hospital. I can't tell you how much time I've spent in various waiting rooms & patient rooms quilting!
I encourage anyone who is interested to pick up a needle & go for it!

For years, I hand quilted without thimbles and had to suffer the sore fingers. But in my older years, I seem to be less tolerant of the sore and then calloused fingers. I have adapted to certain thimbles.

Ditto!

could NEVER EVER machine quilt, wash fabric before quilting/ bat the sharonschamber way, nothing better.
I like both warm and natural batting but not as much loft as poly which I find easier to quilt.
if you don't want to piece either buy quilt top or a " cheater" fabric or super patterned one and qulit around pattern .
the joy of hand quilting is that it can be done and carried anywhere, not just stuck in a room over a machine, I quilt in an armchair with quilt draped over a trolley if required and by the wood burner and listen to talking books./watch tv/have music on AND relax.

You know it! :thumbup: