Hand Quilting DVD Are you confused about how to place your quilt in a hoop for hand quilting? Have you read the tips for how to "rock" your needle, but it just doesn't make sense? In this DVD, you will learn: how to place your quilt in a hoop (I did this wrong for years!) how to hold your needle how to guide your needle through the quilt layers your choices of quilting needles your choices of quilting hoops And, you can watch as many times as you want to, conveniently on your TV or computer. Tell me more - - -

Hand Quilting - How to get Started

 

Now that you have all of the tools you need – quilting thread, thimble, quilt hoop or frame, and – most importantly – the quilt – you are ready to begin.

Thread your needle with a strand of thread about 20-24 inches long. Usually it works best to thread the needle just as the thread comes off of the spool. Tie a small knot in the end of the strand – just a single thread (not a double thread as you would use to sew a button).

Having trouble threading your needle? Try one of these methods:

• cut the thread at a slight angle to make the edge a point
• get the eye of the needle wet
• thread several needles at a time and knot the ends - often you can get "on a roll" and threading is easy
• have someone else thread needles for you! I bet grandkids would be good for this task
• put a piece of white paper behind the eye of the needle to make it more visible; some quilters use something dark behind the eye of the needle - maybe it makes a difference what color thread you are using
• hold your thread above the needle and point it down - use gravity to help you
• use beeswax or chap stick on your thread before you thread your needle
• use a needle threader (click on the link to get information about needle threaders)
• try threading through the other side of the eye. Some needles have a "right" side and a "wrong" side.
• spray a bit of hairspray to the tip of your thread
• pinch your fingers at the very end of the thread as you feed it through the eye. That makes the thread stiff.

 

First you'll need to tie a knot in your thread. In the video below, you can see how to tie a quilters' knot in your hand quilting thread.

Next step is to decide where you will start your quilting stitches. Once you have figured that out, bury your needle about 1” away from where you would like to start. Feed the needle between the layers of the quilt and bring the point of the needle up where you want to begin quilting.

(The goal here is to bury your knot inside the layers of the quilt.) Pull the needle all the way through the quilt top, then give a gentle tug. The knot should slide right through into the center of the quilt. If it doesn’t, just play with it. Sometimes I tug on the thread with my fingers while securing the fabric with my needle. If your knot is small enough, it will go through the weave of the fabric.

Check the end of the thread past the knot. If it is still sticking up through the quilt tip, you may need to work it into the layers of the quilt. That can be done with your needle. Gently poke your needle through the quilt top, just above the thread. (I know you can’t see this, since it is covered by the fabric, but you can get a sense of where the thread is.)

Then slide your needle parallel to the fabric toward the tail end of the thread. This should pull the tail into the layers. If the tail of the thread is extra long, you may wish to trim it slightly. Be sure you have enough extra thread on the tail past the knot so your knot will be secure.

Clip the end of thread, and, if necessary, pull the short end of the thread between the layers of the quilt as you did when you began your quilting stitches.

Thread another needle, and begin again. I generally use a quilting hoop, and when I have a hoop-full of quilting, I move the hoop and begin again. I also usually start in the center of the quilt and work out to the sides. Before you know it, your quilt will be complete.

Hand quilting is something easy to do when watching TV. (Even if you don’t like sports, you can sit and quilt and pretend to watch the game!) It’s also a great activity for long car trips – if someone else is driving – waiting in the doctor’s office, or in the car for your kids, or while your kids are practicing dancing, Little League, or a variety of other things. You get the idea – it’s portable, productive, and fun!

Did you know you can get some excellent quilting books through amazon.com as electronic downloads?:

Other articles about hand quilting:

Tools for hand quilting - information about needles, hoops, thread and more
Tying a Knot and Taking that First Stitch
The "rocking" motion of hand quilting
How close should your quilting stitches be?
How do you choose a quilting design?

Happy Quilting!

Penny Halgren

www.How-to-Quilt.com
Inspiration and Education for Beginning Quilters

www.Rag-Quilt-Instructions.com
Fast, Fun and Funky Quilts

©2005, Penny Halgren
Penny is a quilter of more than 27 years who seeks to interest new quilters and provide them with the resources necessary to create beautiful quilts.