Sunday 25 May 2014

Slow Stitching Sunday: Looking for Advice

     Whenever I check out the posts at Slow Sunday Stitching I'm always impressed by the dedication and skill of the hand quilters.  I do a little bit of hand applique.  I'm very very slow at it, but lately I've been feeling the itch to try some hand quilting.  I even dug this out of a bin.  It's the sampler from a hand quilting class I took eons ago.



     My son (he's my baby. He's 23)  is getting married in August and I have made a small project to give to him and his fiance at their wedding.  Just in case they check out this post I'm not going to show it.  But these are some of the fabrics I used.



     My plan is to practice by completing the sampler and if all goes well to hand quilt the project for the kid's .  I could use some advice on the basting and marking,  and on what threads you use.  I'm using hand quilting thread on the sampler.  Do I have to use that on the project or can I use a heavier cotton thread like Mettler.  I'd appreciate all advice. 
      

7 comments:

Quilter Kathy said...

So happy to see you posting Lisa and glad you are doing some hand quilting.... I hope you love it!
I use any kind of hand quilting thread I can buy on sale. I don't really have a favorite so far. I pin baste all my quilts for hand or machine quilting. Marking is the biggest challenge for me. I'm sure I've tried all the methods and keep experimenting with each project. Thanks for linking up!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

Celebrate Hand Quilting is doing a series of articles right now on threads, hoops, needles etc! :)

www.celebratehandquilting.com

scraphappy said...

I'm a novice at hand quilting too. I've tried regular thread and found that the quilting thread is sturdier. I find that I bend a lot of needles, but the quilting "betweens" do seem to be stronger. In the end, I'm sure you will find what works for you. The most important part will be the thought and love that you put into it.

Chantal said...

Interesting sampler. I'll be back to see this completed because it is promising. I have been hand quilting for a long time and you know what - I've never asked myself these questions!! Says a lot about me :) I've always used what my grandmother used: Mettler or Gutermann quilting threads. Love both and sometimes use both on same quilt! I think the bottom line is whatever one you are enjoying the most. I love betweens needles too and sometimes a thimble.

Deb A said...

Love your stitches on your sampler from class! Neat design. I am a 'beginner' and self taught. Just give it a shot and see what is comfortable for you. I have a YLI quilting thread I love but also have some coats and clark hand quilting thread I got eons ago that I use too. I like a small needle - tip of my pointer finger to the first knuckle is my favorite size. I notice mine tend to bend easily. Deb's link to the celebrate hand quilting site is a great one. I've been there and learned a bunch. Good luck and remember we all have to start somewhere =)

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

I am happiest using hand quilting thread. I prefer 100 percent cotton and like a heavier weight like 28. If your going to do that hand quilting it is nice that the stitches show. I use YLI hand quilting thread as my generic go to thread for most projects.

Marly said...

That's a pretty sampler you started long ago. Like Carla and Deb, I also use YLI hand quilting thread. Hand quilting threads are wax-coated to reduce friction; cotton machine quilting threads aren't, so they break more easily when being repeatedly pulled through the fabric. I don't hand quilt very often, and always use a practice sandwich to get my hands used to the moves again.