Hand Quilting Is A Labor Of Love

It is often considered a labor of love when someone spends time hand quilting, sewing every pattern by hand and then connecting all the blocks together by hand. While the finished quilt looks and feels so much better than machine made quilts, it is a lot of work. Remember that when sewing the quilt together the thread must pass through all three layers, the pattern side, the batting and the backing.

When hand quilting it is best to use 100% cotton quilting thread as it is coated with wax, which makes it easier to pass through all three layers and is stronger than normal sewing thread and less likely to break when it is pulled tight. The color choice is up to you and any color that matches the material will suffice. Keep that in mind if the backing material is a contrasting color to the main colors on the face of the quilt.

When designing the pattern for your squares, mark them first with a crayon or chalk, making sure that whatever you use will come out easily, either by washing or erasing. Draw the pattern on the cloth before putting it to thread.

Keep Quilting Knots Hidden In Batting

When you are ready to start sewing your quilt together, place all three layers together and start your needle about a half inch from where you want it to come through. Begin hand quilting by putting the needle through the batting layer only and then into the top layer and pull it tight. This will keep the knot hidden within the batting, not visible on the front or back.

Continue on one side of the quilt, running your needle through all three layers several times before pulling the thread tight. Once you have reached the end of the run, finish the section with at the batting, again so the knot does not show. Return to the edge your hand quilting started on and repeat the procedure through the second and subsequent rows.

Regardless of the number of pieces of material you have to make your quilt, it is not a quilt until it is put together. For those truly interested in hand quilting it is advisable, if possible, to visit a quilter who does hand quilting and see the process from beginning to end. Seeing how something is done can often be more instructional than reading about it or being told.