Trying Hand Quilting
You’ve seen this block here before, but that was so long ago I doubt many remember it! Sometimes a project gets constantly bumped to the back of the work in progress pile, and that is the sad story of this mini quilt. You see, I decided I’d try my first ever hand quilting on it…
But, in spite of searching for tutorials, I could not seem to get my stitches right. I ended up just doing a stabbing method because I could not seem to get my needle in at a 90° angle otherwise {I ended up mostly looking at Anna Maria Horner’s “Anna Answers” post to help me out}.
I eventually decided that it was most important that my stitches look straight and uniform on the front…and just let the back be a little crooked-y. It is just a wall hanging anyway!
Here’s a closer look at the crooked back, maybe I shouldn’t have used a solid color either! In conclusion I think I need a hand quilting frame of some sort and a lot of practice! In reality, I will probably just stick to mostly machine quilting!
And here’s a look at Norah’s wall all finished {for now, at least!}. I think the kids room is starting to look all cozy!
Oh so sweet! I think it is a wonderful first at hand quilting. Good for you for learning something new!! Love it!!
I love your wall hanging. I am hoping to use those colors in a Betsy’s Closet-in Stitches to put in my daughter’s hope chest.
Oh how adorable!! You did a fabulous job. :o) I love the tutorial you used. If you take a little peek at my blog, there is a tutorial I created on my left hand column, it will help with the 90 degree angle you mentioned. Have a lovely weekend. Trish
No! Don’t give up on your hand quilting! You will get better every time you pick up the needle! And a pattern backing always hides more! Your wall hanging is precious!
Beautiful.
I have tried this several times and had the same luck. Often wondering if it would be easier to draw a stitch line with disappearing ink or washable ink. I think yours turned out lovely. We are always our worst critic. Smiles…Renee
Aw, it looks lovely! It’s certainly something that takes practice! And with each project you’ll get better and better. My first project was “meh” at best. lol But, now I’m hand quilting an entire lap sized quilt 5 projects later. It’s still not perfect, but it gets better every time, and embracing the “mistakes” is part of what makes a great quilt project. As my inner Tim Gunn tells me, “Make it work!” 🙂 You did just that and it looks great! Please don’t give up. Just keep at it. 🙂
-Amanda-
It’s so pretty! You did a great job!
You did a great job! I must admit that I too have tried hand quilting and experienced the very same problems. I’ve come to the conclusion that no amount of reading or video tutorials is going to help me learn the rocking motion needed to do it right. Someday, when I have more time, I’m going to take a class!
Love the hand stitching! It gives the block such a lovely look. Norah’s room is so cute!! xoxo Debbie
Oh, so cute! I think you did a great job. Have a good weekend!
Your wall hanging is adorable. I wouldn’t worry about the stitching too much it will still become an heirloom, especially as it is handmade.
I can’t hand quilt either, or get used to using a thimble. I usually just plop the quilt on my lap without a hoop, and do kind of a running stitch. Your mini quilt looks really pretty, and the stitching turned out great. Cute bedroom!!!!
It looks beautiful, and you’re right, uniformity is the main thing. I used to do a lot of hand quilting until I developed tendonitis in my fingers! I found the the smaller the needle, the easier it was! You might just try a different quilting needle.
Very nicely done. I’m impressed. I wish I could keep my stitches that evenly spaced. I’m afraid there may be no hope for me, but I am going to give hand quilting one more shot. Some ladies at my church hand quilt and I thought I would see if they might be able to impart some of their wisdom to me. We will see.
You did a lovely job on the little mini quilt. I love the hand quilting. I looks so wonderful. Made special.
hand quilting takes practice. My back stitches are like yours too but the front looks good. As long as I get those layers together, I’m good. 🙂 I don’t do that much hand quilting either.
Oh, I love it!! So sweet and your hand quilting and embroidery are just beautiful! I just started to hand quilt and it is fun! xo Heather
It looks great! I can never get that 90 degree angle down either when I am hand-quilting and my back looks like tiny pin pricks. I really want to take a class in person, so I can see how to do it correctly. I normally can learn to do something through videos, but I need hands-on training, I think.
Hi Jennie, your hand quilting looks like mine. I just can’t seem to get the right angle and rhythm either. The front is the most important part, so I don’t worry much about the back. I quilt by machine 95% or the time anyway. I think your little hanging looks great. Vicki vickilorraine at hotmail dot com
Lovely little quilt, and the hand stitching makes it really special! You did a great job, and it looks so lovely on the wall in that sweet bedroom. I love to hand quilt but it took me a while at the beginning to find a rhythm and learn to just relax and stitch 🙂
Have a great weekend.
Helen x
I think your hand stitching came out lovely…I love the effect hand quilting gives a piece 🙂
Smiles, DianeM
I am so glad you posted this! I tried my hand at it the other day and I took it all out. I wish I would have left it now.=( I had the same issue. I ended up stabbing instead of rocking and the back stitching was crooked. And, yet, when I look at your work, I think it looks great! I’ve decided to stop being so picky!
Love it! So pretty!
I am so happy to see you are trying hand quilting! Hand quilting is the only thing that I do and I love it. It takes practice but once you get the hang of it you can makes 4 to 8 stitches at one time and then they turn our uniform on the front and back :). I find hand quilting relaxing and like that I do it while watching a movie or If I set it up on my larger floor quilt frame I can have friends over and we all quilt together on one quilt which is really my favorite thing to do. Coffee, friends and quilting is the best way to spend an afternoon or evening.
I do remember that block very well, because I am still not done with my embroidery 101 quilt yet. Your little mini quilt looks amazing. I love the colors and it looks great in the little ones room
So beautiful! I think it looks great up on the wall!
You need to get the hang of that ‘rocking motion’ that makes hand quilting work. When you have to do ‘stab stitching’ (like when crossing thick seams) you get that crooked look on the back. Hand stitching is my favorite, but it takes Sooo long to get done. Now that I am so old, I feel the need to switch to machine quilting because I don’t have enough time to quilt all the tops I sew.
Machine stitched quilts look horrible by comparison. Your front stitches look really pretty, so you should carry on I think. Stab stitching is a perfectly legitimate way of quilting and doesn’t ruin your hands into the bargain. Some of your back stitches are perfectly straight too, which suggests to me that practice is the key to improving – and you are very nearly there anyway. Stab stitch quilters can produce some of the best and most even stitches with practice.