Hand Quilting Tutorial 1 (maybe a different kind of quilting method?)

Last night, I popped by one of my favourite sites. It's by Anna Maria Horner and her hand quilting tutorial. Her tutorial amazes me as I do quilting in a rather different way.

So here I am, sharing my version of hand quilting method (since I'm in the progress of quilting babyY's quilt too).

First, you need a good quality quilting thread and a quilting needle. I use a really small quilting needle from Clover since that's what I only have. Some people use embroidery thread and needle. It's fine too.

Cut your batting slightly bigger than your quilt top as the batting will sort-of "shrink" during quilting. Lay the quilt top on top of the batting on the floor and secure the two layers with safety pins. NOTE: I choose to omit the backing for quilting because I do not want my stitches to show at the back. And also to save trouble of making sure my stitches are even at front and back.

Always start quilting from the centre so that you can still manage the creases made upon quilting.

I like to put safety pins around the area which I'll quilt. I do not have a quilting hoop or frame since I don't think I need one anyway.

Start with a back-stitch with your knot at the backing (see here on how to do a quilter's knot).

Then, create as many stitches as you can without pulling the needle out. I usually make 5-7 stitches at a go. It will be good if you have a thimble to help you push the needle through the thick layers. I wear a metal thimble (for short needles) on my middle finger.

This is how your stitches will look like when you pull the needle out. Make sure your stitches are almost the same length and even (maybe less than 0.5cm per stitch).

You can make a back-stitch after every 5-7 stitches. I'm lazy so I make one at about 10-12 stitches. A gap is created to make space for a back-stitch.

Continue stitching and end with a back-stitch. And yeah, now you finish quilting a section and slowly, finish quilting the blanket.

I'm not sure if anyone shares the same hand quilting method as me. Pls share with me!^_^

Comments

[highwaycottage]

Interesting method, Ive never thought of not doing it with backing before. Looks great though!!! I machine quilt, one day Ill have a go at hand quilting.

[Rhonda]

Greetings Wynn, Im Ravelly1 from America....Ive just found your blog and love with I see. Great tutorial. Take care.

[sweetTarap]

Thanks for your tutorial on this hand sewing quilting method. Hope to see more of your sharing.

[sheryan]

oh wow! This looks like so much fun and I love the fabrics youre using! I think I should give this a try one day when I have enough fabric (: Thanks for creating a tutorial Wynn (: hehe I am excited to try to make one :DHow much fabric do you typically end up using to make a small quilt?

[Wynn]

thanks everyone! @highwaycottage: i have never machine quilt before coz my machine is too light to handle the big quilt. It feels like falling apart once I start quilting!@sherry: i use about a yard or more for a small quilt like this. pls try when you have the time!^_^

[True Blue Nana]

I am working on my second hand quilting project. I dont use a hoop either. I have recently changed needles and I love the one I am using now. I followed Tonyas tutorial. I think you can find it at Quiltville.com

[Adrienne]

This is the seaming method I use when piecing quilt tops and some seams when hand sewing historical garments. Its quite a sturdy seam when coupled with a seam finish (French seam, flat felled, etc) on clothing.

[sewjournal]

This is certainly a different method. Id be interested to see how your stitches look on the back. Any chance of showing us? Thanks

[Kimmie]

Thank you for your tutorial. I understood everything of what you said! (yeah, I usually get lost somewhere in the midst of tutorials...)thank you for sharing your method and doing it so clearly!nice to meet you!Kimmiemama to 8one homemade and 7 adopted

[Leah]

wynn - very interesting tutorial. i am going to try it out. it sounds like you end with just a back stitch, no knot?

[thecurryseven]

Your method is how I hand quilt also, though Ive never backstitched. Ill have to try that. Maybe my stitches will be as even as yours someday!

[MissMary]

Love your method! Ive been dragging my feet about buying a quilting frame or hoop, so Im going to try it your way with the baby blankets Im making! :-) Thanks for the inspiration!

[Stacy]

Ive always wanted to learn how to hand quilt. Thank you for explaining your method so well through this tutorial! It makes me want to try it.

[TheAccidentalCrafter]

Hi Wynn, thank you for your tutorial. Im trying to find out as much information as I can on quilting because I would like to try quilting (by hand)