Hand Quilting
by BZ
(Australia!)
How far apart, or what size should hand quilting stitches be? My first attempt isn't very regular, and I find it hard to do the rocking stitch thing. I don't have a hoop yet. Is it just practice, practice, practice?
Thanks again, and double thanks for your inspirational site. So far I have taught myself via the internet and sites such as this!
ANSWERThe size of hand quilting stitches varies from quilter to quilter. It depends on how much experience you have and your personal style.
Beginners tend to sew longer stitches, because they're easier to master (about 5 stitches to the inch on average). Intermediate quilters sew about 10 stitches to the inch. And, advanced quilters sew between 12 and 16 stitches to the inch!
I wouldn't get too hung up on numbers, though. As long as your stitches are even and they show up on the back of your quilt, you're fine.
Yes, hand quilting takes a lot of practice and time! But it's well worth your effort. Here's a few educational tools that you might find helpful.
1.
Basting & Quilting in an Old Fashioned Frame DVD
by Rocking Stitch Productions
2.
Quilting by Hand
3.
Hand Quilting with Alex Anderson
4.
Quilt Savvy: Hand Quilting 