Hello everyone!
I am hoping someone can help me out. I am going to attempt to hand quilt my first quilt (well not my first quilt but it will be my first attempt at the hand quilting) What thread should I use? Which needles? Which hoop-am I biting off more than I can chew?
Thank you everyone for your input
Hugs
April

Please remember, these are just my opinion...

For needles, i like size 11. They seem tiny when you first start to use them, but work well. (I use the John James big eye quilting size 11 - easier to thread the needles.)

As to hoops, I like a smaller one. It is less difficult for me to manage. (I also carry my work a lot of places so I can work on it while waiting for others.)

Thread... Hmmm... Perhaps someone else would be better to ask, as my tendency is to use the same thread I piece with. Not good, I know.

My needles are a little on the large size because I feel I can hang onto them better. I would think any that have a good sharp point would do the job. Someone else may have some specifics for you. About thread, if the spool says hand quilting, that should be fine. Here is a picture of my hoop. It is 14 1/2 inches from side to side, with a wing nut to tighten. I love it and has lasted MANY years and still looks like new.

Hope this helps you.

I used a hoop to hand quilt my first quilt. I'll never do that again. It cramped my hand something awful. I'm looking at making a pvc pipe frame for my hand quilting.

I usually use an 8 or 9 (not good enough yet to use the really tiny needles). Guterman makes a nice hand quilting thread. Coats and Clark too. As long as it says hand quilting you're ok. I use a small homemade frame that my dad got me at a yard sale and binder clips from Office Depot to hold it on.

I use a size 11 or 10 quilting needle. And as stated earlier to hand quilt look for thread that says for hand quilting. This thread is "coated" and will not tangle or knot. Also you don't want to use a length of thread longer then 12 to 14 inches. I sometimes do but then I run into trouble with the thread twisting or knotting. I simply can not use a hoop. I use a wooden quilting frame. I have to use my hand under the quilt to guide the needle. I've tried the hoop but didn't like the stitches I made. Guess it's what you get used to using. Happy quilting!

i am wanting to hand quilt also-been trying to find someone to really teach me how. i hope that there are a lot of suggestions on this thread that will help me out also!! good luck with your hand quilting

I use John James needles size 10 I think. I also like YLI quilting thread. It is stiff and comes on a large spool. It doesn't tangle and easy to work with. I also quilt on a hoop I have never tried a frame.

Thank you everyone! I am going to post pictures as I go along.
Join me MQ we can learn together :-)
Hugs
April

about the frame. I have to laugh when I see these very fancy quilt frames and I think of my grandmother who handquilted lovely quilts and she used four cloth covered 2x2s tied together and resting on old orange crates. Gee I can still see her sitting there quilting with her radio on listening to some talk show or a pre-TV soap. LOL