I’m new to hand quilting. Is there a certain length for your quilting thread to be in order to be most successful? It looks like at the top. I can see two threads but near closer to the bottom where your stitch thread will be there’s a single thread. Am I correct? Sorry I hope that’s understandable.
You sew with a single strand, so where you see two strands, that's where the thread is bent over the eye of the needle. And thread length depends a lot on how strong the thread is what it is you are sewing but the average length would be 16"-18". Hand quilting puts a lot of stress on the thread, so you don't want to start out too long because the thread will wear out. You also don't want it too short because you have to rethread too often. The more you do, the easier it gets to find the right length.
I have also just very recently discovered the joy of hand sewing. I started during the strict lockdown in Australia. I am now getting ready to put the layers together of a massive memory/story quilt. Thank you for this video. As a very inexperienced person and after watching this, I feel more confident. Thank you so much.
I love big stitch and have quilted all sizes of quilts using it, even queen. My favorite 12 wt thread is Sulky, really cheap for some reason and works great with a Jeana Kimball Straw needle #8. You need the extra length to add more stitches to the needle and it is thin so glides easily. Pull thru with a Bohin Finger Cot. Tks
Yes, Sulky's 12wt is a very nice thread! A #8 straw is a needle I haven't tried but might in the future. And I just started using (a couple of nights ago) a silicone finger cot that is really nice. Bohin makes one... are you using that one or the kind that rolls down your finger?
True, I mentioned those as the shorter needle works best for me. I appreciate your reference to the different 12wt threads available. I wasn't aware of the Aurifil.
Thank you so much for your videos. I really enjoy all the sewing/appliqué tips, tricks & ideas you share. I am really drawn to big stitch quilting and going to try it out with a 12 wt variegated thread using a sashiko needle on a baby blanket.
There are so many good needles on the market which is good for us! I'm a believer in finding what works and not worrying too much about what the needle is 'supposed' to be for :-).
I noticed that the twist of each of those threads goes in a different direction. I read somewhere that one is better for hand sewing because it doesn't loosen as you sew, I can't remember which is which. Very pretty threads , where do you get your supplies?
Yes, there are 'S' and 'Z' twists in thread and some work better for right-handers, other better for left-handers. A lot of us add a little twist to the needle as we sew. Regardless of the twist, if you are having problems with the thread untwisting, every few stitches give the needle backwards twirl. I hope that makes sense... it's easier to show than to describe.
How would you big stitch the squares and 4 patch quilt you show? I would love to know what size are those squares? I need to make a quilt for my son to give to his boss. Kind of a 'commission' quilt but using my scraps and whatever fabrics i have in my bin. I love simple patchworks. Great tutorial.
Those squares are 4” x 4” +/-. There are an infinite number of quilting options! Lines, lots of lines, in whatever direction feels right would be fast. Your lines can be parallel, the same distance apart or have varied spacing. You could quilt on the diagonal, perhaps a diagonal grid, or a straight grid. You could quilt around different motifs in the fabric. And you don’t have to choose just one of these options! If you are new at this, keep it simple until you figure out what you enjoy doing the most :-).
I noticed you quilted the lines close together. How close or far-away can/should I space the lines from each other? Also, I’ve seen some old time hand quilters day they don’t use knots but simply burry the thread in the batting. What do you think?
HI Lynette: I'll answer all your questions here: I like to knot my thread but it's probably OK not to. Quilt as close together as you like in spacing appropriate to the quilt you are making. Check the batting package for distance suggestions. I like Quilter's Dream Request batting. I think that's it! Thanks for watching my video and happy stitching. Let me know if you have other questions.
This is a wonderful video! I have a question though. And I may be asking too early @5:03 but I'm curious how do we determine how much thread we need for our size of quilt? I'm new to quilting so I only have throw size and am looking to buy a set of hand quilting quality thread to use. But I just want to make sure I purchase a set that has enough.
I don't have a one-size-fits-all answer because it depends on how much quilting you put into your quilt. And 'throw sizes' vary a lot. 1 spool might not be enough, 2 ought to be enough, 3 seems like too many but might be the right number depending on how much quilting you put into the quilt. If you can see that you are not going to have enough while you are working on your quilt, order more before you run out. Been there and done that myself.
@@BeckyGoldsmith Ohhhh, I gotcha! That makes more sense to me now that I have learned since I posted my question, that "piecing" is the top and then after the "sandwich", the quilting is the pretty stitching done on the top to pull it all together. Thank you soooooooooo much!
If you mean the fabric that makes up the quilt top, yes, those pieces need to be sewn together before quilting. Or, your quilt top can be just one big piece of fabric. What the quilting does is sew the top, batting, and backing together. I hope that makes sense. If not, I'll try to explain in a different way :-).
I think for real ones, it depends on what they have on hand. I've seen 1-2 strands of thick cotton thread-'thick' being judged by eye. I would use a #12 Perle cotton, or Wonderfil's #8 Perle cotton.
Depends on the thread. My go-to needle is the Bohin #9 Crewel needle: pieceocake.com/collections/pins-needles-clips/products/crewel-embroidery-needle-by-bohin-size-9 But recently I got a hold of some Tulip Sashiko needles. Watch this video for more: pieceocake.com/collections/pins-needles-clips/products/sashiko-needles-by-tulip-short-assorted If you have questions after that, let me know.
Loving the quilt behind you too
I love that one too! It's called Kauai Road and I've written about it on my blog. It's a one of a kind quilt :-).
I’m new to hand quilting. Is there a certain length for your quilting thread to be in order to be most successful? It looks like at the top. I can see two threads but near closer to the bottom where your stitch thread will be there’s a single thread. Am I correct? Sorry I hope that’s understandable.
You sew with a single strand, so where you see two strands, that's where the thread is bent over the eye of the needle. And thread length depends a lot on how strong the thread is what it is you are sewing but the average length would be 16"-18".
Hand quilting puts a lot of stress on the thread, so you don't want to start out too long because the thread will wear out. You also don't want it too short because you have to rethread too often. The more you do, the easier it gets to find the right length.
I have also just very recently discovered the joy of hand sewing. I started during the strict lockdown in Australia. I am now getting ready to put the layers together of a massive memory/story quilt. Thank you for this video. As a very inexperienced person and after watching this, I feel more confident. Thank you so much.
Wonderful!
IMO, all vintage tops should be hand quilted. Thanks for the video on big stitch, I want to try it.
I love big stitch and have quilted all sizes of quilts using it, even queen.
My favorite 12 wt thread is Sulky, really cheap for some reason and works
great with a Jeana Kimball Straw needle #8. You need the extra length to add
more stitches to the needle and it is thin so glides easily. Pull thru with a Bohin
Finger Cot.
Tks
Yes, Sulky's 12wt is a very nice thread! A #8 straw is a needle I haven't tried but might in the future. And I just started using (a couple of nights ago) a silicone finger cot that is really nice. Bohin makes one... are you using that one or the kind that rolls down your finger?
Thank you so much! This video helped me so much!
Thank you as always! I'm headed to the quilt store for supplies!!
Thank you for a lovely video
True, I mentioned those as the shorter needle works best for me. I appreciate your reference to the different 12wt threads available. I wasn't aware of the Aurifil.
I love the beautiful threads!!
Thanks for sharing, and for the inspiration.
Thank you so much for your videos. I really enjoy all the sewing/appliqué tips, tricks & ideas you share. I am really drawn to big stitch quilting and going to try it out with a 12 wt variegated thread using a sashiko needle on a baby blanket.
That sounds like a great pairing of thread and needle and variegated thread on a baby blanket will be charming.
Thank you for this tutorial! I love Big Stitch Quilting!
Bohin does made a big eye #10 Between needle which is good for big stitch. I'm not sure, but I bet the also make a #9 as well. Check out FQS.
There are so many good needles on the market which is good for us! I'm a believer in finding what works and not worrying too much about what the needle is 'supposed' to be for :-).
I just started large stitch quilting and I love it. Your stitches are so perfect. Mine is not🙁
It just takes practice. You’ll get there and, until then, embrace the wonkiness.
One more question, what type of batting do you prefer for hand quilting? Thank you for your time.
I noticed that the twist of each of those threads goes in a different direction. I read somewhere that one is better for hand sewing because it doesn't loosen as you sew, I can't remember which is which. Very pretty threads , where do you get your supplies?
Yes, there are 'S' and 'Z' twists in thread and some work better for right-handers, other better for left-handers. A lot of us add a little twist to the needle as we sew. Regardless of the twist, if you are having problems with the thread untwisting, every few stitches give the needle backwards twirl. I hope that makes sense... it's easier to show than to describe.
That looks like a larger needle than one would use for regular quilting. Is it an embroidery needle?
How would you big stitch the squares and 4 patch quilt you show? I would love to know what size are those squares? I need to make a quilt for my son to give to his boss. Kind of a 'commission' quilt but using my scraps and whatever fabrics i have in my bin. I love simple patchworks. Great tutorial.
Those squares are 4” x 4” +/-. There are an infinite number of quilting options! Lines, lots of lines, in whatever direction feels right would be fast. Your lines can be parallel, the same distance apart or have varied spacing. You could quilt on the diagonal, perhaps a diagonal grid, or a straight grid. You could quilt around different motifs in the fabric. And you don’t have to choose just one of these options! If you are new at this, keep it simple until you figure out what you enjoy doing the most :-).
@@BeckyGoldsmith thank you Becky
I noticed you quilted the lines close together. How close or far-away can/should I space the lines from each other? Also, I’ve seen some old time hand quilters day they don’t use knots but simply burry the thread in the batting. What do you think?
HI Lynette: I'll answer all your questions here: I like to knot my thread but it's probably OK not to. Quilt as close together as you like in spacing appropriate to the quilt you are making. Check the batting package for distance suggestions. I like Quilter's Dream Request batting. I think that's it! Thanks for watching my video and happy stitching. Let me know if you have other questions.
This is a wonderful video! I have a question though. And I may be asking too early @5:03 but I'm curious how do we determine how much thread we need for our size of quilt? I'm new to quilting so I only have throw size and am looking to buy a set of hand quilting quality thread to use. But I just want to make sure I purchase a set that has enough.
I don't have a one-size-fits-all answer because it depends on how much quilting you put into your quilt. And 'throw sizes' vary a lot. 1 spool might not be enough, 2 ought to be enough, 3 seems like too many but might be the right number depending on how much quilting you put into the quilt.
If you can see that you are not going to have enough while you are working on your quilt, order more before you run out. Been there and done that myself.
@@BeckyGoldsmith Ohhhh, I gotcha! That makes more sense to me now that I have learned since I posted my question, that "piecing" is the top and then after the "sandwich", the quilting is the pretty stitching done on the top to pull it all together. Thank you soooooooooo much!
@@CarolinaGirlCreationZ Great! It's so nice when all the parts click together to makes sense :-).
Thank you for doing the video. I have a beginner’s question. Do you have to machine sew the quilt top before you can do the hand quilting?
If you mean the fabric that makes up the quilt top, yes, those pieces need to be sewn together before quilting. Or, your quilt top can be just one big piece of fabric. What the quilting does is sew the top, batting, and backing together. I hope that makes sense. If not, I'll try to explain in a different way :-).
good afternoon. Thanks for your video. Where can I buy the thimble that you use to embroider?
Hi Marisa: It is from Thimblelady and here is a link:
What kind of thread do you think they use making the kantha throws? The throws from India looks like the thread is thicker. Thank you.
I think for real ones, it depends on what they have on hand. I've seen 1-2 strands of thick cotton thread-'thick' being judged by eye. I would use a #12 Perle cotton, or Wonderfil's #8 Perle cotton.
@@BeckyGoldsmith I use size 12
Can you please link the needle you are using? I can't figure out the spelling to google it to find the correct one.
I'm pretty sure I'm using the Bohin #9 Crewel Needle.
pieceocake.com/products/crewel-embroidery-needle-by-bohin-size-9?_pos=1&_psq=crewel&_ss=e&_v=1.0
What needle is best for big stitching?
Depends on the thread. My go-to needle is the Bohin #9 Crewel needle: pieceocake.com/collections/pins-needles-clips/products/crewel-embroidery-needle-by-bohin-size-9
But recently I got a hold of some Tulip Sashiko needles. Watch this video for more: pieceocake.com/collections/pins-needles-clips/products/sashiko-needles-by-tulip-short-assorted
If you have questions after that, let me know.
oops you answered my question
I love it when that happens... the question answering that is :-).