Hand quilting: achieving high stitch-per-inch count
08-22-2011, 06:39 AM
#81
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Maine, U.S.A.
Posts: 536
[quote=Hinterland I think it's great that there are so many handquilters, and I wish more of us would enter our quilts in shows.
Janet[/quote]
I don't have any show-worthy quilts yet but I hope to someday! :)
Janet[/quote]
I don't have any show-worthy quilts yet but I hope to someday! :)
08-22-2011, 06:49 AM
#82
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Douglas County, GA
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by Kristin in ME
Originally Posted by weezie
I have lots of hoops & a lovely pair of quilt frame ends and poles for them that are all going unused because I've learned I can only hand quilt with ease & accuracy using nothing but thimble, short, sharp needles, thread, the quilt (pin basted) and me.
08-22-2011, 06:53 AM
#83
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Maine, U.S.A.
Posts: 536
Originally Posted by weezie
Originally Posted by Kristin in ME
Originally Posted by weezie
I have lots of hoops & a lovely pair of quilt frame ends and poles for them that are all going unused because I've learned I can only hand quilt with ease & accuracy using nothing but thimble, short, sharp needles, thread, the quilt (pin basted) and me.
08-22-2011, 07:00 AM
#85
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Peoria Arizona
Posts: 696
A couple of more things that I couldn't find mentioned... (1) Easier to hand quilt if you have washed your fabric prior to piecing (or marking for a whole cloth) to get the sizing out, and (2) Try to NOT use a tone-on-tone that has the light tone "painted" on. (Look at your tone-on-tone fabric from the side and see if there is a tiny shine to the lighter tone or if it has a just barely raised feel to it)
Fairy Frost(while lovely) when used as a backing is a real challenge to hand quilt through. Sloooooow going and my shoulders/arms get sore faster. Unfortunately I used Fairy Frost on the back of a queen size quilt that I made for my daughter about 5-6 yrs ago. It also didn't help that I used Warm & Natural for the batting. That compounded the situation, but I only have 3 sides to one border to do, and the whole of the outside border to do and then the binding to finish. Whew! I also like using wool batting when hand quilting - haven't tried the silk.
Fairy Frost(while lovely) when used as a backing is a real challenge to hand quilt through. Sloooooow going and my shoulders/arms get sore faster. Unfortunately I used Fairy Frost on the back of a queen size quilt that I made for my daughter about 5-6 yrs ago. It also didn't help that I used Warm & Natural for the batting. That compounded the situation, but I only have 3 sides to one border to do, and the whole of the outside border to do and then the binding to finish. Whew! I also like using wool batting when hand quilting - haven't tried the silk.
08-22-2011, 07:07 AM
#86
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Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Douglas County, GA
Posts: 1,722
Originally Posted by Kristin in ME
Originally Posted by weezie
Originally Posted by Kristin in ME
Originally Posted by weezie
I have lots of hoops & a lovely pair of quilt frame ends and poles for them that are all going unused because I've learned I can only hand quilt with ease & accuracy using nothing but thimble, short, sharp needles, thread, the quilt (pin basted) and me.
08-22-2011, 07:29 AM
#89
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,410
Originally Posted by Mitch's mom
Can wool batting be used for hand quilting? I don't like the feel of polyester. I can't stand to touch the poly fibers - it makes for interesting times around here when the dogs kill a stuffed animal.
If wool can be used I would really like to learn to hand quilt. Are there cotton batts that can be used?
If wool can be used I would really like to learn to hand quilt. Are there cotton batts that can be used?
08-22-2011, 08:22 AM
#90
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Valdosta GA
Posts: 1,876
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
The one thing I haven't seen mentioned is Tiger Tape. When I started out handquilting I purchased the 9 per inch and played with that. I would make a sandwich and lay the tape down and practice going up and down with the markings. You sort of start feeling the rythym of the rocking motion of the stitch. Then its practice, practice, practice.
I agree that poly is easier to needle, but I do needle W&N and my stitches aren't as small. Also, as already stated, you need to make sure that the quilt in the hoop is loose or you'll really have a devil of a time. I use my fist to gauge the looseness.
What is Aunt Becky?
Since you're just starting off really, why not train yourself with the Aunt Becky? I'm thinking of trying to convert myself over this as my carpal tunnel hasn't been too good for hand quilting lately and there's much less movement of the right hand.
Good Luck!
I agree that poly is easier to needle, but I do needle W&N and my stitches aren't as small. Also, as already stated, you need to make sure that the quilt in the hoop is loose or you'll really have a devil of a time. I use my fist to gauge the looseness.
What is Aunt Becky?
Since you're just starting off really, why not train yourself with the Aunt Becky? I'm thinking of trying to convert myself over this as my carpal tunnel hasn't been too good for hand quilting lately and there's much less movement of the right hand.
Good Luck!
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