Tags
hand quilting, hand quilting without a hoop, quilting blog, sewing blog, sewjournal blog, tutorial, video
I’ve had quite a few requests for a video showing how I do my hand quilting. I decided to give it a go. It was quite hard to do as I was using my iPad video camera.
I first of all tried holding the quilting up to the camera but I wasn’t comfortable and couldn’t get the stitches right or get it to show properly. Then I had a brainwave. (How old-fashioned of me! Does anyone have brainwaves anymore? I suspect not, they all have “light bulb” moments these days. 🙂 ) Anyway, I put the iPad face down on the table with the camera part hanging over the edge so that it could film the quilting on my knee! It worked, though it’s a bit strange at the very beginning. Anyway take a look and let me know what you think.
Great tutorial/video! And it may be silly, but I really enjoyed hearing your voice. It makes you more real, I think. My mom and I made a whole cloth (king size) quilt for my sister in the very early 70s. We made a frame from 2x4s (and used sawhorses for braces) and made the “sandwich” in my driveway. Luckily, it was a new house and the driveway was very clean. I can remember my daughter, who will be 38 in 8 more days, playing underneath it while we were setting it up and later when we were working on it in my livingroom. It was quite the effort, and it turned out beautifully. She still has it, although it is no longer usable. I think your method is how we did it, although I could not use a thimble and that drove my mom crazy….lol. I’m glad we did that together. She died much too young just a few years later. Ok, Linda, quit being so maudlin…8-)
xo Linda
Hi Linda
Thanks for sharing that. I never used a thimble either until I found the Clover adjustable one. It’s so comfortable I forget I have it on. That’s a real first for me.
What an ingenious way of making a video with your iPad. Must remember that. Anyway, you have given me inspiration to try hand quilting again as I just could not master the Thimblelady’s method. BTW, what kind of batting did you use? Thanks so much, Daphne.
The batting is called Quiltlite but it isn’t the US Quiltlite, it is made by Freudenborgs. You can see it here:
https://sewjournal.com/2010/12/05/a-fabric-fast-well-almost/
That was really helpful, I usually do stab stitch quilting but I have dabbled a little bit with something similar to your method and found it quite good (tried Thimblelady method as well but I couldn’t get my stitches smallish, they were always too big)
I would like to know what sort of batting you are using, and does this work on large quilts as well as small items? Thanks Pip
The batting is called Quiltlite but it isn’t the US Quiltlite, it is made by Freudenborgs. You can see it here:
https://sewjournal.com/2010/12/05/a-fabric-fast-well-almost/
I have used it on my Andalusian quilt but not on a larger quilt though there is no reason why not if you want a light, low loft quilt.
Thanks for sharing your way of quilting without a hoop, I have not been able to master the art of using a hoop, I am happy with my stitching, but, will also try your way. Like Linda said, it was lovely to hear your voice then put a face to the voice. We need to keep having “brainstorms” as they will keep our brains active. Regards, Annette
Thanks Annette. I think each person has to find what is comfortable for them. Glad you enjoyed the video.
That is the way I do it too. I don’t know how you work around all those pins without getting snagged. I baste and remove the pins. I also use a thin rubber thimble instead of a metal one … if I use one at all.
Lovely Munaiba. And so nice to hear your lovely voice again. 🙂 I’m with you, I prefer to see hand work look like hand work. It shows we’re human after all! lol
Loved you video ! very clear to see. I have always puzzled though with lap quilting……when I have tried it, I find it so hard to hold the fabric once you get away from the outside edges of the quilt . Any chance of seeing a wider view of you working ..ie how you are holding the quilt ?
Very well done! And informative. Thanks to Sylvias encouragement I had started to quilt hoopless also, but I do it a little different than you. I’ll have to try and see how your method works for me as it looks less stressful on hand/fingers.
I just love your method. I don’t use a hoop either, but my quilting is more like hand piecing. I think I move the needle too much. Going to give your way a try.
Miss you
Fran
Thanks very much for your easy-to-follow video. I’ve been quilting without a hoop for many years. Not long ago, I realized that I was moving the fabric more than I moved the needle when I stitched (and I found this easier than attempting the traditional rocking stitch). In other words, I was doing something similar to your method. Now that I’ve watched you hand quilt, I’m definitely going to practice your method. I’m sure your video will help many other hand quilters too.
Thanks Kathleen I’m glad you found it helpful.
I really appreciate your vieo. I have great difficulty using a hoop and although I have had classes with the Thimblelady and really enjoyed tham but haven’t mastered the technique
Thanks for taking the time and trouble to make a video of how you hand quilt. It’s very similar to my method. I don’t use a hoop either. Your result looks a tad (big tad) neater than mine, but I’m happy with what I do, and have even had a few nice comments. I don’t use any sort of conventional thimble, instead I use the little finger of a rubber/latex glove on the ‘bird’ (middle) finger on my right hand which is my needle hand. I do have a leather fingerstall that I use, when I can find it, too but it’s a wee bit big and one day I’m going to ‘take it in’. I have tried many many different thimbles, some I like some I didn’t, but I always go back to the rubber finger.
Love your work.
Cheers
D.
Thanks Munaiba, I think that I will give this a go – not bad for an ipad on the table!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
When the needle goes through to the back of the quilt, do you “feel’ for the point coming through? Or is it mainly by experience that you know when it has gone through enough.
Also, how do you go when you are working in the middle of a big quilt? Do you sort of need to bunch it up in your left hand to be able to “reach” to where you are quilting? (Sorry, hard to explain, but I hope you know what I mean!).
Thanks Christine. I feel for the point. I also hold the quilt a bit like an oven glove – if that makes sense – when I’m in the middle of a quilt. Next time I’m quilting I’ll make another video to make it clearer.
Finally got my computer fixed so I could see videos – after it crashed they put some sort of block & we have been either going crazy to fix it or just ignoring it as we watch movies & TV on DH’s computer next to mine… Anyway I could finally watch you & it was really interesting and I am going to give it a try my way is not so very different just involves a lot more wrist which get uncomfortable… I have not done much sewing as I haven’t been well but I have done some embroidery with metallic gold thread on a few of my BLK/WHT sampler blocks which has been very annoying as the thread is always slipping out of the needle but it adds a touch I really wanted (though I am sure I never will again!) Get this done and the finished 24 blocks will start going together I hope. Was nice hearing your voice too after all this time, as well. 🙂 Take care/ Be well
Haven’t hand quilted in 20 years but just finished a hand appliqued sampler. I felt it needed the TLC of hand quilting and found the hoop very cumbersome. I love your method and have been practicing. What size needle do you use? I know that the number of stitches to the inch isn’t as important as the consistency of the size of the stitch, but what should I aim for? You have sparked my excitement to get started on my sampler. Thanks again.
Joanne
Hi Joanne
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my method. I use Milliner’s needles size 11. As for aiming for stitches per inch I don’t worry about that. I’m not interested in making it look so small that it looks like a machine did it. I’m a human being and I want it to look like a real person took the trouble to do it and I want to enjoy the process. So my advice would be to relax and just enjoy it. Your stitches will get betters as you do it. Have fun.
Regards
Munaiba
I used that size needle to do the hand applique. Thank you so much for you rapid reply.
Thank you very much for creating this video-I learned a great deal. I always feel like I need to try harder using a hoop-but I am going to try this and see how I do. I think I try too hard to make it “right” whatever that is-I just need to relax and let it happen-you seem very relaxed!
Thanks again!
Hi Tina,
I felt the same way and then decided to stop taking out stitches and just go on.
The overall effect has been great. You are the only one who will notice the “not so perfect stitches”. Have fun.
Thank you so much, that is the nicest and most enjoyable looking quilting I have seen. I am new to quilting and am trying out things. I don’t think having my finger pricked to bits, is the direction I want to go. I totally agree that we are not machines. I don’t like the bit stitches that you see everywhere at the moment but neither do I feel the need to have them looking like pin pricks either, I’m not actually sure that is the best look. Yours on the other hand looks painless, a relaxing rhythm and nice small uniform stitches to boot that are every bit good enough and really very nice.
I’m having problems with a thimble though. The one I got was meant to be small and drops off me. It was only intended to be used to see if I could get on with one. I am now concerned that I will end out paying quite a bit of money for something again that won’t fit. My one also has poor indentation which was concerning me for using the rocking motion. Perhaps I won’t worry about that any more now I have seen your method. I know it isn’t meant to be difficult or needing lots of fuss, hoo ha and equipment as some of the best quilters of the past just got on with it.
Anyway. Really informative and great to watch you in action. Many thanks!
Thank you so much for your clear video. I am very new to quilting and I haven’t been able to get on with the hoop so I thought I was doing it incorrectly. It seems that some like them and some don’t! I haven’t used your method just one that has evolved but your one looks so much better so I shall definitely try it. I know what you mean about the kitchen glove hold and I have been using that and it works really well. I look forward to any other tips you can give us novice quilters!
I too really appreciate your video. I am new to hawaiian quilting–we just moved here- and have hand appliqued 16 blocks but have not been able to get the hang of the quilting, with hoop. (i have tried do many different techniques and then found your video and am sooo delighted. how do you make sure you’ve gotten all the way through with the needle to the bottom side? do you wear a thimble underneath? i’m hungry for more, and grateful for the door you’ve opened..
Hi there
I don’t wear a thimble underneath. I use my underneath finger to feel when the needle is just through the fabric and then I move the fabric as shown in the video so that that it turns and comes back up through the fabric.
Thank you. That makes sense. I see your use little safety pins instead of basting???
I’m truly grateful and will pass on what you’ve taught me here.
I’m so happy you find it useful. Yes I really like those tiny safety pins. They don’t damage the fabric like the large ones.
Great video – very helpful. I’ve tried quilting without a hoop but had been told to “push” the fabric onto the needle – and no way i worked it did that seem to work. Watching you and listening to you has helped me get it into a rhythm and learn to “bend” that fabric – and it works!!! Thank you.
Thanks Nancy. So glad it worked for you.
Your video made such sense to me! I’ve just begun quilting without a hoop after so many years of fighting with a hoop. Now I can’t wait to try your method!
Hi Cathi, glad you found it useful. Good luck with it.
Wondering how you position your left hand with a bigger quilt? I love your method, but can’ t get the left hand correct. If my hand is underneath to feel the needle, then it can’t be on top to rock the fabric. My quilt is a queen size, so impossible to have my thumb up top and the rest of the quilt in my palm. How do you position the left hand most effectively?
Good question Janice! I have my hand underneath and with my thumb of the under hand I grab a bit of the quilt, so from the top it looks a bit like an oven glove. The thumb can still be used to rock the fabric it is just that it isn’t exposed it is “gloved” in fabric. Does that make sense?
I would like to see how you’re holding the quilt in your non-quilting hand. I actually prefer quilting without a hoop but can’t imagine holding a large quilt in my hand. Thank you for sharing.
Hi Ann
I grab a piece of the quilt from underneath between my thumb and my hand and hold it rather like I’m wearing an oven mitt – if that makes sense.
I have always quilted with a hoop, but I’m trying without a hoop and I find the backing bunching up in places? How close together are your pins and how do you keep the backing stable? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Terry, I don’t like pinning very much. I do now occasionally use pins but I prefer either to baste with thread or to spray baste and just add a few strategic pins.