Is Hand Quilting Easy?

Hand quilting is making a comeback and if you keep your quilt simple, it can be fun, relaxing, and easy to do. Here is one method that is super simple and makes your quilting stitches stand out.

• Once your quilt is sewn, you can hand quilt your quilt by putting it on quilting frames or quilt it on your lap with quilt hoops.
• You will need a few supplies to quilt your blanket by hand. An embroidery or crewel needle, quilting thread, (Perle Cotton thread), a thimble, (quilting hoops optional),and scissors.
• Use a simple running stitch with a color of Perle Cotton that contrasts with your quilt top colors.
• Outline your quilt shapes on your quilt topper with a simple running stitch.
• Then finish your quilt.
• Add a label to your quilt with your name on it.

Hand quilting is not only fun it can be addicting! (I’ve probably said this before in a blog post because I’ve learned quickly how much fun quilting and hand stitching can be!) Start with a simple project like a baby quilt, a lap quilt, a table runner, or a quilted hot pad. When you add a contrasting color running stitch with Perle cotton thread , you have just the right creative magic to complete a beautiful project made by you! Best part of it is, it is so easy.

Get Ready To Hand Quilt

We are going to start from the part where your quilt topper is sewn your backing is fit to your quilt top and batting purchased.You are ready to quilt your quilt. Either of these techniques will work well to prepare your quilt for hand stitching.

• Quilt with quilting frames: Frames can be purchased or if you are handy and crafty you can make your own quilting frames fairly easily. Set up your frames and tack your fabric backing to the frames with tacks. Next spread out your batting and cut it to fit your quilt. Now put your quilt topper on top of your quilt batting. Tack it to your frames with more tacks. Now you have your quilt sandwich and you are ready to start quilting your quilt.
• If you have a project that is smaller, you can quilt your quilt on your lap using a quilting hoop. Or you can quilt if you choose without a hoop. Lap quilting makes it even more relaxing and easy to work on because you can transport your project with you wherever you go. Quilt at your leisure.

Quilt as fast or as slow as you want to go. Using frames or quilting on your lap will work. If you need to quilt your quilt on the floor, it is more tricky but can still be done. So figure out what will work best for you so you will be comfortable and ready to hand stitch your quilt!

Supplies For Quilting By Hand

You will need the following quilting supplies to start quilting by hand. Choose a crewel or embroidery needle( the eye of the needle will be big enough to thread the Perle cotton through), some Perle cotton thread, a thimble, quilting hoops which are optional, and sharp scissors. When you go shopping for a needle, it will say on the package whether it is a crewel or embroidery needle so it should be easy to find. Quilting fabric shops are a good place to find Perle Cotton Thread. It comes in a variety of beautiful bright and soft colors. You can buy it online too. I love working with this thread. It looks great using it for hand stitching your quilt.

Running Stitch

You will be surprised how easy a running stitch is and how it can make your quilting stand out. When you buy your Perle cotton thread, choose a color that will stand out against your quilt fabric. My Mother- in- law made two of my daughters bright beautiful quilts on a special occasion in their lives. At 8 years old they were baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She made the day so special for each of them by presenting them with a quilt she had made and personalized just for them.

She spent hours making these quilt and they are still a cherished gift. I love the design of the dark running stitch she hand sewed around each quilt shape. As you can see, she outlined each rectangle and square that she sewed on the quilt topper.

To make this stitch, you just sew up and down in a straight through the three thicknesses of your fabric. Translation meaning you make sure your stitches go all the way through your quilt top, your batting, and your quilt backing. (With the right needle, thread, and thimble it isn’t too hard to do.) You can work from right to left or left to right. Whichever works best for you.

Outline Your Quilt Top With A Running Stitch

Follow the design of your quilt top with a running stitch. Thread your needle with a contrasting color of Perle cotton thread. If you have squares, do a running stitch around your squares. If you have, pinwheels, or half triangle squares whatever your design, stitch around each shape on your quilt top. Quilting your quilt top with a running stitch done with a dark or bright color of Perle cotton thread makes your quilt design stand out. It enhances and makes your quilt topper pop! If you prefer to have your running stitches not show up, use a light color instead of a contrasting dark or bright color of Perle cotton thread.

Finish Your Quilt

Now that you have outlined your quilt by hand stitching running stitches around your quilt topper design, you are ready to finish the sides of your quilt. If you want to finish the edges of your quilt before hand stitching, check out my blog post What Is The Easiest Way To Bind A Quilt? Also if you would like to learn How Do I Make A Baby Quilt? You can add bias tape or Prairie Points to your quilt edge to complete it.

Label Your Quilt

Once your quilt is all done, add a label to your quilt. It is fun to document who made the quilt and maybe when or who it is for. Put your John Hancock on it. You never know your quilt might be passed down through the generations of your family or whomever you give it to. Purchase a label or make your own out of white or ecru colored fabric and use a micron black permanent marker to write with. (Remains good through machine washing, and archival for scrapbooking.)Attach your label by hand sewing or machine sewing. Either works. You could even cut out a heart instead of a square or rectangle. I actually put this label on the front of the quilt I created for my niece’s new baby. I just thought it made the quilt look even cuter as an accent. So be creative with how you label your quilt. Besides, you’ve put a lot of time, effort, and love into making your quilt. This just adds a little personality to your finished creation and be proud of your work!