Sheep Farmer

I have this same problem.
I have found that if the needle goes in straight up/down instead of at an angel, the stitches on the back are way better.
Also, I keep some slack in the quilt which gives me more control over the stitches (sometimes I take it out of the hoop altogether).
And I agree with Tartan, don't try for tiny; try for consistent size.

Hinterland

The easiest solution is to use a busy print on the back - it will hide a lot of imperfections.

Janet

illinois

Tartan's comments are correct but why are you concerned about the back? Unless you are putting this into competition, I wouldn't worry about that. To me, hand quilting has its own "signature". It doesn't have to look like everyone else's. Personally, I go for consistent stitches on the top and my style is more of a running stitch. While I somewhat try to go straight up and down, I push the quilt up and down in front of the needle. Sure hard on my fingernails but the work is satisfactory to me and that's my goal. I usually use a fabric with design for back and that hides any 'imperfections' there. Wall hangings have plain fabric backs but nobody sees that anyhow. Enjoy the process and you will find with practice and time, as with all things, you will see improvement in your work

fivepaws

Silly question---who looks at the back? Well maybe if it is being entered in a contest. If it is for your own use and the thread matches the backing, will anyone know besides you?

sewbizgirl

Really, the original goal of hand quilting was to hold all of the layers together. If you back stitches are catching the back of the quilt, why worry?

117becca

Who looks at the back???? I do and all my friends!!! LOL!!

i think it's practice, looseness in the hoop/frame, and getting a grasp on the rocking motion. My stitches on the back are much smaller on the back because as soon as i hit my finger underneath, I push the needle back up.

Yes - even stitches are better than tiny.

Carol Wilson

My quilt is going to be autioned for Breast Cancer Research so I like to make the back stitches as evan as possible, my quilt will be displayed on an easal, I notice that some people who bid for it always look at the back of the quilt, thankyou all for your advice.

twinkie

If you rock your needle you tend to get more even stitches than "stab" stitching.

quilterpurpledog

Beautiful hand quilting takes lots of practice as well as patience. I think it is important to start with a small project so you can easily turn it up and down to see how the way you hold your needle and guide it affects how it looks on the top and bottom. Until you can be comfortable with 'knowing' where the needle is going you will keep having the irregular results. Keep practicing because hand quilting is an art in itself.