bearisgray

Probably Coats & Clark hand quilting thread - purchased at a WalMart store.

I think I did buy a cream or white at the LQS - but I don't remember the brand.

Mom had a "trick" for making thimbles fit better - she flattened them into an oval, and then they seemed to stay on better.

I have learned that a thin/skinny needle goes through fabric more easily than a thick one.

However, I have also learned that a very short needle is becoming more difficult for me to hold and manipulate.

I have also learned that even though a #12 between might be the "best" for hand quilting, I have had decent results using longer needles than the betweens and a #10 or #11 is not as "bendy" as a #12 needle. Sometimes I use whatever needle that I can get threaded!

By the way - that was my first hand quilting class, but I had done other quilting. I did learn things I did not know - so it was worth the cost.

I thought maybe I could learn the "secret" of those pin-prick size stitches. Part of it is having very thin batting.

The instructor seemed to be encouraging "straight and even" more than "tiny" - which seemed more attainable than tiny, tiny stitches.

mtkoldra

beautiful work!

toverly

BEautiful! I have never attempted hand stitching, I agree that even is more important than tiny. To me tiny looks like machine stitching.

northern lass

Beautiful quilting, a great achievement.

javin22

Wow that sure is beautiful work!

jcraine

I wish I could hand quilt but I just don't have the patience. I think it would be soothing to be able to sit and quilt beautifully like you did.

Claire123

This turned out just beautifully. You will have to keep it up... you are very talented.

Terry99

The stitching is excellent - be proud!

SusieQOH

Bear, I've handquilted for many years. While size 12 needle is "ideal" it's awfully tiny! I use a 10 or 11.

SusieQOH

I also think even stitches are better than the size.