Tips of the Trade for a Beginner?
 

Does anyone have any helpful tips of the trade that I should know about when starting a quilt? And any recommended backing that is the best for one who hand quilts? I plan on hand quilting all of my quilts and I would love any advice that people have. Also any other tips that people know about that they learned through their quilting life that I would only learn from mistakes and experience? I'm so eager to begin but I'm also hesitant and I would love to do this first one right the first time.

I wish you the best of luck. Are you going to quilt as you go? Is it applique, pieced or whole cloth? Do you like your quilts super warm, really bulky, or very thin? All of these factors go into deciding what kind of batting you will want. I've been trying to learn everything for years and I'm still a beginner even though I read and read and read.

I took a beginners hand quilting class even though I had been hand quilting for years. And one of the things she did was provide each student with a quilt sandwich of 15 in square - some of it had a design lines and most of it did not. She told us to just sew without the lines so she could view what level she was teaching where to focus - but she also said that almost everyone needs a warm up period, so before you quilt your sandwich - take a few minutes to warm up on this scrap sandwich. That was 15 years ago but I still do it because I don't hand quilt that often and a bit of a warm up helps get the rhythm. Also there is a great book out there for hand quilting. "That Perfect Stitch" by D. MacEleroy. It is well worth the money.

I am fairly new to hand quilting myself. You will need a good thimble that is not too small or too big. From my understanding, the smaller the stitch the better. Judges look for smaller stitches if you are going to enter it into any type of quilt show. I personally don't like my stitches too small or too big so your stitch length is going to be up to you. Learning to rock the needle takes a bit of getting use to. Youtube has a few videos on how to tie your quilting know and how to bury your knots so they aren't visable. Good luck on your journey! Hand quilting takes time. I met a quilter from Japan who had a double wedding ring quilt in the Paducah show. She said it took her 2 years of straight working on the quilt to get it finished. It was amazing!

I have been a hand quilter for at least 40 years. I like to use the extra wide fabric that they sell at Jo anns that comes in several colors. It saves you having to quilt through the seams that are necessary if you have to piece the backing. I suggest you preshrink the backing and iron it before basting together the layers. I use the curved safety pins made for basting. The only problem with them is that they sometimes catch the thread so you have to keep an eye on them and remove them as soon as you finish quilting the area they are holding together. Depending on the size of the quilt I use everything from a rectangular floor frame to a large hoop, 36inches or so that stands on one leg to a smaller handheld round wooden hoop or plastic snap together frame. The thing I like most about hand quilting is that it allows you to watch TV or enjoy participating in the the conversation of others. It is also totally portable. I find it very relaxing.

The only tip I have is not to be cheap when buying quality fabric and tools. A good sale is great but don't buy cheap for cheap's sake. Also don't try to make do, do it right with the right tools. Batting type will make our break your desire to handquilt. I would suggest wool or silk blend for your first try. You will have less frustration and enjoy your quilting much more. If you don't like basting a quilt then I suggest you get a no baste hand quilt floor frame.

i suggest that you not expect "perfection" with your first piece.

On the other hand, there is no reason to be sloppy, either.

Great for you to try to do hand-quilting first. I always encourage new quilters to start with a small project like a table runner since it is going to be a learning experience.

One of the reasons I came to quilting was the hand work. Check out www.jinnybeyer.com she does all her piecing by hand.... I was privileged to attend one of her seminars.... it's exactly what quilting meant to me when I first started on my quilting journey.

I suggest you don't use batiks in your first few quilts. Batik fabric is a much tighter weave and harder to hand quilt. And I agree start with a smaller project. It won't take you as long to finish and that will help hold your interest in quilting. Good luck.

My tip to you would be spend a lot of time reading on this board! The wealth of knowledge here is endless! Look at the pictures, and galleries, and read the tutorials. Quilting is an on going process. Don't be afraid to try. Don't be afraid to mess up! Don't be afraid to ask questions. There are any number of talented people here just waiting to offer support, guidance and help! Good luck!!

Thank you so much,I'll definitely check her out. :)

What do you mean am I going to quilt as I go? I assume that when I am making a quilt technically I am quilting as I go...right?

I will look into it,thank you. I will probably buy it or if I mention it enough I might get it for Christmas from my fiance.

Thank you for the tips,you seem to give some great advice. Is muslin soft like cotton? What's the difference between the two? Where would I get muslin, a fabric store?

I hand quilt and hope you find the process enjoyable. I use a Comfort Thimble to hand quilt with and I love it, the company is out of Oregon but you can find them sold through several vendors online. I use Gutermann thread because that is what my friend who taught me to quilt recommended and I haven't had any problems hand piecing or quilting with the 50 wt. I learn too from magazines the library subscribes to, watching Fons and Porter on TV and episodes of Quilty online. I agree with several other posters start small. My first project was a modified table runner that is now a pillow topper. I recommend size 9 betweens or sharps to quilt/piece with. I also recommend thread snips they come in handy with handwork.

I hand quilt almost exclusively. Use the best fabric you can afford front and back. I use fabrics other than muslin for backings but that is my preference. I agree with starting small and not using batiks for your first project. I use Roxanne (betweens) needles. The lower the needle size, the larger the needle. I generally use Gutterman hand quilting thread but will use any brand if it's the particular color I want. I use a Thimblelady thimble. I started with the plastic one and graduated to the stainless steel version. I generally quilt in a hoop but not always. If you are using a hoop or frame, don't have your quilt sandwich 'drum tight'...have some give to your sandwich. Heard it described long ago to have it about as loose as if a cat were sitting on it.

Batting is a whole different story. You'll get lots of suggestions. I use Warm & Natural but many people find it difficult to hand quilt. I like 100% cotton. If you are looking for something very light, you can also use flannel for batting. Flannel for the backing also makes a nice cozy quilt.

Remember, most of all, hand quilting is a process - not a race. Find a comfy chair; a good light (I use halogen but it does get hot); a good TV show and quilt away. Great stress reducer! Enjoy the process.

I do mostly hand piecing and quilting since 1985. I do not use a frame but lap quilt. I also use poly batting and a 9 sharp needle by Jeana Kimball"s byFoxglove Cottage. This has worked for me. I have done queen size quilts with no problem. I agree do not use Batik's. Vi

Hand quilting
 

When I taught quilting I did just that, gave each student a practice sandwich.I told them to date each one they filled and it was lovely to see their smiles as they saw the improvements.I still use a practice piece to warm up as I now have bad arthritis.Also don't beat yourself up with tiny stitches at first,even stitches are more important.It's great to know so many still like to hand quilt.

For a first quilt, if you can, I would advise to take a class. Many quilt shops as well as Jo-Ann's have classes, also online classes if there are none local. Get the generalized basic understanding, then just go crazy. Always remember, unless you plan on entering shows, your quilt, your rules. But first, you need that general understanding of how that works.

Exactly! There is a lot of expense involved in quilting and while I don't like to discourage you, I also don't want you to spend lots of money buy everything you need to make a queen sized quilt before you know if you like quilting at all!

I know I may hear some negative thoughts on this, but when you get ready to put on a backing. Please do not buy a bed sheet. I tried it once a long time ago and the results were not what I had expected. Invest in some good quality backing.

I think it depends on the sheet one uses on whether the results would be satisfactory or not.

make something smallish - a lap quilt or bed runner. We need to see a completed project and pat ourselves on the back! Plan on it taking longer than you expect and don't 'overwork'. When you are tired - STOP. Rest and go back to it the later. We all have a project in the cupboard that we will probably never finish because it became work and stopped being fun. DO NOT BE overcritical of your work. The way to get better is practice. And many of the 'errors' you see, no one else will ever notice. They will simply be amazed that you did the project. Take their praise, enjoy it and start the next project. HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN, HAVE FUN

I can't offer you any tips for hand quilting, as I have only hand quilted one full size quilt, then I switched to machine quilting. I have taken quilt classes on hand quilting and I think the best advice I got was not to aim for the smallest stitches, but to aim for consistency, and making the stitches even. This may sound weird, but don't let anyone tell you that you cannot do something when you are making a quilt, or have them tell you a quilt is "too advanced or difficult". Go with your "gut", whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability and don't expect perfection. I believe the Amish deliberately put a mistake in every quilt because only God is perfect. Fortunately for me, that's not a problem, as there will always be some mistake somewhere, but fortunately I found them before I finished the quilt. The best advice I can give you is to enjoy the process of making a quilt, I like to think that I have left a little bit of myself in every quilt I make. Enjoy and welcome to the wide world of quilting as well as the Quilting Board where you can find friendly quilters who are kind enough to answer any of your questions.

The best things that I learned as a new quilter?

1. That just because it says " quick quit" on the pattern, does not mean it is quick for everybody, so if it takes you longer, great!
2. There is no reason to cut fabric fast, careful is better. If we can ride past, on a fast horse, and see no errors, it is perfect.
3. Done can be better than perfect
4. "Quilt police" are just folks, with their own imagination, telling them everything must be his/her way.
5. The only right way to make any quilt is your way.
6. My most important quilt rule, is to always measure twice, cut once. (Thank you carpenter's union for teacing me this. Saves me from wasting too much fabric!)
7. If you start a quilt, and need to measure something a second time, be sure you are using the same ruler, because there are minor differences that can make assembly difficult. (Do not want to remake any cut pieces)
8. If you get stuck, come here to the quiltingboard.com, try to post a picture, and this huge army of quilters will help you find a solution. Works every-time.
9. Quilting is my hobby, and no, I do not take orders, work for free, make them for you so you don't have to, nor do I do mending or alterations. There are real people who do those jobs, and I am glad to give you a couple names....or teach you to do your own!

Welcome to your new, our old, addiction. Lol!

No dear, you are speaking of quilting your quilt layers together after you have made a full top, with your hands making the stitches. "Quilt as you go" (QAG) is placing a backing, a batting, and pieces of a top, usually in squares or rectangles, that are stitched through all three layers, so when the square is done, it only needs to be attached to another square. It is already quilted during the creation of it. Go to youtube.com and put quilt as you go in the search box. That will make it much clearer than I have. Also, look for one that is hand quilting, and you will understand the difference.

Bearis gray- you are right, they can be used, but I always hear that they are a bear to hand quilt through, like batiks.

Thank you so much. I appreciate everything you have suggested. It's such a big help.