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THAT PERFECT QUILT STITCH

© Jeanne Walsh

Finally you are ready to attempt quilting by hand! It is not as difficult as you may have imagined. What does it take to be a fine handquilter? Practice, practice, practice!

Needed

article for quilting
14 inch hoop
1/4 inch quilters' tape
quilting "betweens" needle size 7 or 9
thimble
cotton quilting thread

First of all, let's start with GOOD needles. A good needle is slim and has a smooth easily threaded eye. Called "quilters" needles, "Betweens" needles, the sizes go from 5 to 14, the smaller number is the larger needle. A good size to start with is 7 or 9. Leave those teeny needles for later, when you have become accustomed to handling a small needle and to using the quilting stitch.

Prepare the 3 quilt layers for quilting, pinning securely as described in my July 1 article.

On any project, large or small, I use a hoop beginning in the center. Place the bottom hoop under the center, position the quilt over top, and set the top hoop on the quilt, pulling the top and bottom fabrics straight and smooth. Then lay your hand in the middle of the hoop and relieve some of the tension so the 3 quilt layers are relaxed but even.

We will quilt straight lines 1/4 inch from the seams of your quilt block. A handy guide for this is 1/4 inch quilters tape laid next to the seams of the block. A word of caution here - don't leave the tape on over an extended period such as overnight or for days. It leaves a sticky residue if left on that long. The tape can be moved two or three times as you quilt.

(This is a whole cloth Spartex queen size stencil I quilted a few years ago. These beautiful quilted bedspreads require about 1,200 yds of thread.)

Cut an 18 inch length of quilting thread. Knot one end. If you have trouble threading the needle, try turning it over to get the smooth machined side of the needle. Insert the needle in the fabric about one half inch from the quilting line into the top and batting, bringing it up ON the quilting line. Pop the knot through the top fabric and leave it buried in the batting. I take a tiny stitch BACKWARDS to stabilize the quilting line.

Now comes the balancing act! Place your left hand (reverse if lefthanded) under the spot to be stitched, with your middle finger ready to feel the needle as it comes through.

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