What’s not to love about hand quilting?! It’s tactile, portable and you only need a few basic tools and supplies to get started.
I began hand quilting in the mid-90s because I had a quilt to finish. My sewing machine wasn’t adequate for piecing, let alone quilting, and I liked handwork. Besides, most of my mentors hand quilted. I loved the fact that I could visit while quilting at weekly gatherings with friends. And slowly, but surely, quilts would get finished.
The texture of hand quilting has always appealed to me. There is something about the process of manipulating that quilt sandwich as you pull your thread through it, that makes it so soft and drapey.
Sometimes, just adding a bit of hand quilting seems to make the quilt more personal.
A mini for a challenge is another good place to try some hand stitching without committing to a larger project.
Two of my hand quilted favorites appear in Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century which I wrote about here.
The MQG has a travelling exhibition of quilts from the book. I am very excited that it is coming to the Whatcom Museum in Bellingham, Washington, June 1 – August 25, 2019. One of my quilts, Trestle Nestle, is included in the exhibit.
The Whatcom Museum has many events planned to coincide with the exhibition this summer, so if you are in the area, check out all their offerings. If you are interested in seeing more of my quilts or learning about hand quilting, I will be involved in two of the events:
Modern with a Hint of Vintage (lecture) July 27, 2:00-3:00
Hand Quilting Intro and Inspiration (workshop) July 28, 10:00-2:00
If you’re already a convert, what do you like best about hand quilting? If not, I hope you will consider hand quilting as an option on your next project. Try it, you might like it!
penny lane quilts 
I love hand quilting, but I am new to quilting and am having difficulty planning my designs. How do I know if it is too much or too busy?
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That’s a good question! I think quilters often struggle with this question whether they are hand or machine quilting. To a certain extent, I think it is a matter of developing your own style. However, sketching different ideas and noticing how other people quilt their designs will help you do that. I try to avoid marking my designs, so I often follow the piecing lines. One option is to start with a simple design and add more quilting if you think the piece needs it. Good luck! If you love the process of hand quilting, you are already on your way to adding that special touch to your quilts.
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Thanks! Starting simple and adding as necessary is a great idea…
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