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question for hand quilters

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Old 05-13-2010, 02:03 PM
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The stitches on the underside of my quilts are always shorter than the stitches on the top of the quilt. I use a rocking motion and load 4 stitches onto the needle and usually get 8 to 10 stitches to the inch. How do you get the stitches on the back of the quilt to be the same length as the stitches on the front? Any suggestions? TIA
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:19 PM
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Practice, practice, practice!!! One thing that I used when I first started quilting was tiger tape. It helps in getting used to when to go down and when to come up. I found it very useful.
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by sewcrafty
Practice, practice, practice!!! One thing that I used when I first started quilting was tiger tape. It helps in getting used to when to go down and when to come up. I found it very useful.
What is tiger tape?
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:27 PM
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She's right about the practice, practice, practice. I also found out that if I am able to make really small stitches on the front then the little stitches on the back even it out. I have found that if I use really thin batting that this makes it easier. A small needle makes it easier too. I usually use either a size 11 or 12. Recently while quilting with a group of ladies, one of them was in need in of a needle. I gave her one of mine and she was amazed at how much easier it was to use instead of the larger size she had been using.
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:38 PM
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Originally Posted by kayquilt
She's right about the practice, practice, practice. I also found out that if I am able to make really small stitches on the front then the little stitches on the back even it out. I have found that if I use really thin batting that this makes it easier. A small needle makes it easier too. I usually use either a size 11 or 12. Recently while quilting with a group of ladies, one of them was in need in of a needle. I gave her one of mine and she was amazed at how much easier it was to use instead of the larger size she had been using.
I have always used a 10 needle. I think I will give an 11 or a 12 a try. Thanks!
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:41 PM
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This small size was a challenge at first, but after I used it for awhile it got easier. Good luck!!
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:45 PM
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I have not tried hand quilting , something I would like to do on a small piece. What is Tiger Tape? Please pm the answer so I will get it. :) Thanks Sharon
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:46 PM
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Ditto all the above comments. I use a 10 or 12 also. And practice helps a lot. I love to hand quilt. It is my favorite part of the quilt process. Very relaxing for me :) Good luck!
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Old 05-13-2010, 02:49 PM
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Practice is the best way to get them the same. It took a long time for my stitches to be even.
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Old 05-13-2010, 03:54 PM
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I don't strive for perfection on the back. I usually have some kind of patterned fabric on the back so stitches don't show as much. What I am looking for is the texture and a kind of shadowing of the design. I know I certainly won't have a show quilt with this attitude but I don't quilt for awards I quilt to make me happy. If it looks good on the front I am happy.
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