I *can* hand quilt now I have questions

I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

Overjoyed at this discovery,
Tricia

Welcome to the wonderful world of hand quilting!

Hand Quilting needles - Great Question Trish. Betweens are best for
hand quilting. For beginners I suggest size 10 and something sturdy
like Richard Hemmings or Roxann needles. This is one of those area's
where each of us has our 'druthers. The biggest thing is buy a few
different kinds and try them out. Rule of thumb the lower the number
the longer the needle.

Thimbles - Need to be tested out until you find something you like. I
finally found a thimble at Lancaster a couple of years ago that I like.
It is heavy, it has a flat tip and a ridge around the edge of the tip,
so that when/if I slip I don't go flying off the needle. I like leather
thimbles with coins inserted however, I eventually wear through them and
have to replace them.

Quilting curves - try taking 3-4 stitches at a time and just go slowly.
Curves just take an extra minute or two. If your're working on
feathers 2-3 stitches is even better as feathers are usually tighter.


Thread length - I go approximately the length from my fingers to my
elbow twice. However, when you first start out, go a bit shorter.
Thread about 6 or 7 needles to get started and make sure you coat the
thread and needle with either bees wax or thread heaven. This will keep
it from twisting crazily on you.

Ending I make the knot on the thread about 2 -3 inches away from the
last stitch and take a back stitch over my last stitch and come up at an
angle several inches away from where I started. It may take a good tug
to get the knot through but be patient and don't break the thread. I've
done that before and ended up having to take stitches out and do the
whole process over not to mention re-quilting about 6"!

One thing too, once you get needles, thread and bees wax or thread
heaven go ahead and make another practice piece with the tools you've
chosen and work with them a bit prior to working on a quilt you're
giving away. You'll be more confident as you work.

Happy Quilting,

I use a small french knot (wrap the thread around the needle a couple of
times) that I pull thru the top layer using my thumb nail to help "pop" it
between the layers. That seems to hold forever - I've never had one come
out and some of my quilts are from the early 70's

--
http://community.webshots.com/user/snigdibbly
SNIGDIBBLY
~e~
"
/ \
http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/snigdibbly.
http://www.ebaystores.com/snigdibbly...ox&refid=store
"Tricia" wrote in message
ps.com...
I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

Overjoyed at this discovery,
Tricia

Congratulations!
I like #12 betweens, using Roxanns right now, and I'm satisfied. YMMD.
Shorter thinner needles do indeed make tinier stitches. Depending a lot on
batting, how many seams there are to cross, etc., I tend to load 3-4
stitches on the needle before pulling it through. The dimples on the thimble
hold the eye end of the needle (after you set the 1st stitch) as you rock to
pick up the stitches. I like my John James brass thimble with the domed
magnetic tip. Don't use anything on the under finger. After all, it isn't a
requirement to poke the tip of the needle into flesh! I just rock it back up
as soon as I can just barely feel the tip come through.

You'll find yourself loading fewer stitches on curves. Not a problem, this
isn't a speed race is it? If you have a long continuous line to quilt, you
can cut a thread twice as long as you normally use, and start quilting
somewhere in the middle of your line. Pull the thread half way through on
the 1st stitch, no knot. Quilt in one direction until the thread is finished
and tie off. Then thread the needle with the other end of the thread and
quilt the other way. I don't always bury a knot at the end of a thread. A
teensy back stitch plus running the tail into the batting for a couple of
inches is usually enough to hold it.
Roberta in D

"Tricia" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
ps.com...
I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

Overjoyed at this discovery,
Tricia

In article om,
"Tricia" wrote:

I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

Yippee! Another hand quilter is born! I love to hand quilt (of course, I
also love to machine quilt, but that's a different kettle of fish G).
I've been hand quilting for about 20 years now.

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

There's a lady in Australia (ThimbleLady) who swears a longer needle is
better, but it didn't work well for me. I use a #11 (usually Richard
Hemmings or John James) -- shorter than a 10, sturdier than a 12. The
smaller needles (smaller needle = larger number) give me better results.
YMMV.

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

Ouchy is right! I don't use anything on my underneath fingers. The
stitching doesn't hurt my fingers for long before I build up a layer of
tougher skin that does the trick. If I put anything on my finger under
there, I can't really feel the needle as it comes through. I'm just
careful to stop pushing the moment I begin to feel it. G

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

That sounds beautiful! As for curves, you'll be fine if you continue to
do fewer stitches at a time on a curve. That's how we all do it, I
think. G It's easier to take lots of stitches on a straight area.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

It's usually best to use no more than about 14"-15", or the length of
your arm from your hand to your elbow. Any longer than that, and you may
find that you'll spend too much time taking out knots or that your
thread is shredding from being pulled through the fabric so many times.
The only exception I can think of for that guideline is when you want to
cut twice as much so that you can leave half of the thread hanging as
you stitch the other half. Then you'd go back and continue in the
opposite direction with the half you left hanging. Is that clear as mud?
G

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

As you make the loop and send your needle through it to form your knot,
just place the tip of your needle down into that loop, with the point in
the fabric exactly where you want to the knot to end up. Then pull
tight, and the knot should magically end up right in that spot!

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

You're more than welcome. Enjoy the peace and relaxation that comes
from hand quilting!

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

AKA Dame Sandy, Minister of Education

Tricia wrote:
2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please?
The purpose of a thimble on the under hand is to keep from pricking your
finger everytime with every stitch. I prefer a Clover square plate
thimble, but they have become hard to find. There is a picture he
http://sewingandvac.com/itm.asp?partnumber=CN-618. I have used an
adjustable plastic thimble on the under hand, too:
http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase...p?ITEM_NUM=166
My regular, top hand thimble is an inexpensive one like you can find
just about anywhe
http://www.dritz.com/brands/showcase...ITEM_NUM=162-M. The
kind of thimble that works best for you will depend in part on how you
use it. Some people push the end of the needle with the pad of their
finger, others (like me) push with the tip. I have never found a leather
thimble that works well for me.


3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves?
Practice. The tighter the curve, the fewer stitches you'll be able to
take at a time. I find that it is helpful to turn the hoop as I go
around a curve, so that I don't have to twist my wrist as much.


4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?
Whatever works for you; don't make it too long. The length that is
usually recommended is 18", but I find that I usually use a bit longer.
It will depend somewhat on the thread you are using, because some
threads fray more readily than others, and frayed thread means weaker
stitches. It does seem that more stitches at a time make for straighter
lines, because that first stitch on the needle is the one most apt to go
crooked.

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?
I make a loop with my thread, pull the needle through, slide the loop
down near the fabric, and pull tight. Then I put the needle into the top
and batting and back out the top a half inch or so away, give the thread
a little tug and almost always succeed the first time in getting the
knot through.

You didn't ask about type of thread. A thread that is made specifically
for hand-quilting is glazed so that it won't fray or shred as readily as
regular sewing thread. My personal favorite is Gutermann hand quilting
thread. I think I've seen it at JoAnn's recently.

I have a small, spring-loaded needle nose pliers that is very helpful
for pulling the needle through after I get the stitches loaded on it. I
have trigger finger in my thumb and the pliers ease the strain on the
joints in my thumb.

Julia in MN
--
This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus

http://webpages.charter.net/jaccola/

In article ,
Julia in MN wrote:

You didn't ask about type of thread. A thread that is made specifically
for hand-quilting is glazed so that it won't fray or shred as readily as
regular sewing thread. My personal favorite is Gutermann hand quilting
thread. I think I've seen it at JoAnn's recently.

Julia, I'll add my endorsement to yours for Gutermann thread! It's my
favorite for hand quilting, too.


I have a small, spring-loaded needle nose pliers that is very helpful
for pulling the needle through after I get the stitches loaded on it. I
have trigger finger in my thumb and the pliers ease the strain on the
joints in my thumb.

I've found a little tool that I prefer to pliers for this job, though I
bought mine before the price went up. g It's a needle puller that you
wear on your quilting hand, eliminating the need to put anything down
and pick it up again every time you need it. You can see it he
http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_g...ch&searchterm=
needle+puller&go.x=0&go.y=0&dept_name=Search+Resul t%3A+needle+puller&g_id
=221006 -- NAYY. I love mine when I'm going through seams and other
difficult spots!

--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

AKA Dame Sandy, Minister of Education

Howdy!
Most of your questions have been answered by now,
and quite well, too.
Find a comfortable place to quilt with GOOD light
coming over your shoulders. Makes a big difference when
you can actually see what you're doing. g
1. Needles: try a bunch. An issue not often addressed:
some needles have rough eyes, unpolished, that will cut
thru' your thread; b-i-t-b#tt! Hemming, Bohin, Foxglove Cottage,
good needles are worth paying for, most aren't expensive anyway.
And change needles when yours bends; it's so much easier to
quilt w/ a straight needle. g
2. Test drive some thimbles. My favorite is a ceramic one I found
in Pier 1 Imports 20+ yrs. ago; I bought 5, now have just 2 remaining.
A couple of yrs. ago I paid $5 for a metal one, cute gold color,
similar to this brass one from Lehman's:
http://tinyurl.com/7bo3w
Dimples hold the end of the needle so it doesn't slide;
better traction for better pushing (and I won't even
let my mind wander after that one *evil-grin*).
Now you know why finger nails are not the recommended
substitute for thimbles. g
Get some finger cots: http://www.dickblick.com/zz352/07/
These help you grip the needle, pull it thru' the layers of fabric;
I buy them in bulk. g

3. Curves: few stitches per needleful; take it slow and easy.

4. As another Sandy said, shorter lengths of thread; I use
12"-15", keeps it from tangling; I don't waste time on waxing
the thread; a good quality, glazed HANDQUILTING thread glides thru'
the fabric; really, the Coats&Clark is fine, easy to find, inexpensive;
I have 60-yr.old quilts w/ C&C HANDquiltng thread that are in
great shape, no fabric has been cut by the poly/cotton blend thread/
My favorite is the Gütermann brand which I find at my favorite
quilt shops: http://www.commonthreadsquilting.com/
I e' them and ask, they tell me if they have the color before
I Cruise down there;
http://www.houstonstmercantile.com/ I walked to the back of
this store last Saturday, found exactly the purple I was looking for,
the lighter gold, and some ecru color for spare.
http://www.redrockthreads.com/ has a good color chart/selection.
Remember: HANDquilting thread

5. I don't knot the finishing end; I quilt to w/in a 1/2 inch of
the end of the thread, then start a new thread thru' the
last 2 or 3 stitches, weaving them together, hardly notice
any difference in the stitches; hide the ends in the layers.
I use the old "roll thread around my finger, then roll it off"
to make the first knot when I start w/ a new thread;
easy, tiny knot that pops right thru' the fabric.

Good for you, Tricia, for trying handquilting.
Good luck, too.

Ragmop/Sandy--professional handquilter ;-D


"Tricia" wrote in message
ps.com...
I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

Overjoyed at this discovery,
Tricia

A couple things that I've found help me when quilting curves, use a
shorter needle. I quilt with a size 12, the shortest needle you can
get. I get smaller stitches with it so it makes the curve smoother. I
also recently discovered John James large eyed quilting needles. I LOVE
them.

Another thing I found helps a lot is to loosen the quilt in the hoop.
You want to have sufficient "give" when you press down so that you can
pick up the fabric. The tighter the quilt is in the hoop, the harder it
will be to quilt it.

Try different thimbles. I have tried just about everything out there
and keep going back to my Roxanne's thimble. However, lately, now that
I've had some problems with joints due to my Lupus I find it a bit
"heavy" some days. I have a lighter thimble I use then, but don't like
it as much. I can't seem to get the same control. But, it could also be
the joints acting up too.

There are several really good books out on hand quilting. Alex
Anderson's is a good place to start.

Use your thumbnail to help "pop" the ending knot into the fabric. And,
most of all, practice, practice, practice.

LizA.
Kent, WA


"Tricia" wrote in message
ps.com...
I discovered something wonderful tonight -- I am physically able of
hand quilting. I seriously had my doubts after struggling with that
WUH for so long, but with a hoop (THANK YOU!) and some practice
material and batting throw together, I can actually hand quilt --
although I have questions:

1. Handquilting needles -- advice? I was using a long one (millner I
think) until I realized that was keeping me from getting shorter
stitches (too much to "bend" back in the rocking) Then I switched to a
shorter one but not sure I liked it better....

2. Thimbles -- review their purposes if used on the under hand with me
please? I finally "sort of" got the use of the top one for the rocking
part a little towards the end of my experiment, although it was in the
way for starting a set of stitches. What are the dimples in there for
-- are they actually supposed to help me with something? (mind you,
I'm using cheap thimbles that just happened to be in one of the new
JoAnns Notions sets that I bought needing to stock up on frog stitchers
-- I want to get used to them before seeking out my personal Holy Grail
of thimbles) I actually found my nails almost as helpful if not more
so than the thimbles in general -- until the needle back slipped and
encountered that sensitive bit of skin under the nail (Ouchy)

3. Is there some secret to hand quilting curves? The only quilting
element I *know* I want when I finish my new personal project (the WUH
with the pinwheel block I paperpieced -- the pinwheel block is going to
go on point) is a sun rising from the outer edges of that block --
especially since I want a beautiful turquoise/aqua blue shade as the
next fabric I add on to the block. So, I'd like to practice curves
using any hints, tips, secrets you all care to share. I did a sun on
my practice piece tonight but could only do it like two stitches at a
time.

4. What's the appropriate thread length of hand quilting and how many
stitches are ideal on the needle at a time?

5. I could do the whole "pop the starting knot" thing pretty okay --
but finishing a length was very challenging to me -- I can't seem to
get knots to form where I want them to pop through -- any hints for
that?

Okay, that's what comes to mind at the moment, Thank you.

Overjoyed at this discovery,
Tricia

Thank you all for the advice and information -- It'll take my brain a
few days (maybe weeks as I'm subbing a few days this week) to
assimilate all of this into what I can use personally and what I can
pass on to others who ask

Looks like I'll be off to the store again at some point -- awww, darn


Tricia