Chunky Hand Quilting

I haven't done any sewing all week - what with moving the shop and then having a stall at 

The Auckland Quiltmakers' Show over the weekend there just hasn't been time for 

having a needle in my hand. It has been a good busy time, but I am looking forward 

to some serious sewing again.

So instead of a post I thought I would share a bit of a tutorial with you. 

This is the information I shared at the Demo at our  Auckland Modern Quilt Guild 

meeting a month or so ago.

I have become passionate about this big stitch quilting done by hand – I like the 

look of it and it is quick to do.

I use two or three strands of DMC Cotton Embroidery Thread.

 I quilt with a #8 Embroidery needle which allows the thread to go through the eye 

easily and I like the size of it (I hate small, short hand quilting needles at any time!

A hand quilting stitch is a running stitch, but the key is to keep it even – even sized 

stitches with the spaces between the stitches the same size as the stitches themselves.

In general even stitch size is more important than number of stitches per inch.

I try to get three to four stitches up on my needle at one time.

Start with a small knot that you can pull through the top fabric and into the 

batting – knots should never show on the front or the back.

Knot off by pulling the knot into the batting.

You can outline pieced or appliqué areas or create a design anywhere on your 

quilt – use  a removable marking pen to draw your design.

You can see the difference chunky hand quilting makes to a block.

You can use a contrasting strong coloured thread or one that blends into the 

background or as on this quilt both.