The hand quilting frame is set up and ready to go. Lady Jane is the fortunate lady to be the first quilt hand quilted in the new house.
I'm being careful to only quilt for an hour a day until my fingers are used to quilting again.
This quilt is not going to be closely quilted and the quilting is rather simple. I love this border fabric but you don't see the stitching very well. Diagonal lines have been marked 2" apart so progress is fast.
People always ask for more information so here it is. I'll use this post as a reference for future questions.
The wool batting is Hobbs Tuscany Collection. I've used this brand in several quilts, it hand stitches very nice.
The quilting thread is YLI hand quilting thread. Even though this spool holds 1000 yards of thread, there is no way there will be that much quilting on this quilt. I'm not even going to keep track of the yardage.
My favorite brand of hand quilting needles are DMC needles, size 7. This is a larger size than most hand quilters use but I just can't manipulate smaller needles, they flip in my fingers! I'm able to quilt small stitches with the size 7.
I buy several packages at a time and have always purchased them at my local fabric store. They didn't have any the last time I was there. I asked if they were out or if they weren't going to carry them anymore. They said DMC was discontinuing manufacturing hand quilting needles. I still have several packages that aren't opened, I'm going to make my needles last as long as I can. I don't know what brand I'll use when they're gone.
For backing fabric, I selected this blue/gray whole cloth fabric which doesn't show the stitches that well but I liked it. I always buy my backing fabric at my local fabric store. I like to be able to see and touch the backing.
I have ordered backing fabric from online stores before but it always has so much sizing on it. You can't possibly hand quilt it without washing it! The sizing doesn't really wash out, at least it doesn't for me. The fabric feels slimy while it's still damp. I don't like that!
Surprisingly, the backing fabrics at my local store are better prices than online stores, they're of good quality too.
Here is a link to the Lady Jane pattern.
There will be an upcoming post about installing the quilt into the frame.
Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Stitching Stuff, Oh Scrap, Sew & Tell, Handmade Monday, Design Wall Monday, Craftastic Monday, Monday This 'N That, Monday Musings
21 comments:
The blue floral fabric for the border is gorgeous. I am looking forward to seeing Lady Jane's progress each week. Thank you for all the informative facts. I am sure you will find suitable quilting needles when the DMC ones are all used.
I love seeing Lady Jane in your frame and hearing about you working on hand quilting again :)
I hope you can find more DMC #7 needles out there before you run out... or something comparable! I've never enjoyed hand quilting as much as I do with the DMC needles I was gifted :)
I love that you have local quilt shops that sell the needles and the backing and less expensive than an impersonal online sale!
Have a wonderful week!
Kathi
I am looking forward to watching your quilting progress on Lady Jane. I have never used wool batting. I will have to look into that. I am sad to hear that DMC is discontinuing quilt needles. I have always had to buy my backing online as there are few local quilt stores. I like the fabric you found. Enjoy your stitching.
Such a shame about your needles. I saw that a few retailers have them available (Schoolhouse quilts has the needles for $1). I love this quilt. It is such a lovely pattern but I really appreciate you sharing your tools with us as well. I probably won't be doing anymore hand quilting and I miss it! Have a great day!
Your quilt is so pretty. Enjoy the process of your hand quilting. You have more patience than I do.
Dear Gretchen,
So very true. Being able to touch and feel, see the fabric is good and very tactile. It is part of quilting which is so important. The one fabric which I cannot hand quilt is Batik fabrics. Easing into the hand quilting is a great idea. Our local quilt store will be stocking hand quilting thread again for the first time in almost five years? So looking forward to go and buy some, mine is running super low. Love all the blue fabrics. Have a wonderful day.
I love to watch your progress when you are quilting. When I could hand quilt, I loved YLI thread and I used Clover needles. It's so hard when you can't get the tools the you are accustom to. I totally agree about the sizing in some of those backings. Really hard on the hands! ~Jeanne
I'm really bad about keeping up with the details of a project. Love those gorgeous blues in Lady Jane. Happy stitching this week.
Such a pretty quilt!
Love the beautiful blues and whites.
I love Lady Jane and hope to make it one day. She is on the list! Did you mark the entire quilt (corner to corner) with the straight lines 2 inches apart? Just curious. Hugs have a great Sunday!
I hope your DMC needles last a good long time! I didn't know that the company made needles! What a beautiful first quilt to work on in your new home. May your fingers happily stitch!
So happy to see another hand quilter! Are you just quilting one way diagonally or crosshatching? The pattern is beautiful and I can't wait to see your progress.
You're right that border fabric is lovely. Nice to have everything set up again!
The blue floral fabric is stunning and I love your choice for the backing fabric. Happy Stitching.
Lady Jane is beautiful and I love the floral fabric! Happy stitching!
I am in awe of those who hand quilt!! Lady Jane is so pretty - I look forward to seeing your progress! xx
Oh that is going to be a beauty of a quilt!
I. Like to touch and see the fabrics I buy too. I want to see the colours in person …I’ve had the experience of buying backing that turned out to not quite be the right shade and then I had to buy another backing instead. Your border fabric is beautiful. I love to see your quilting. Gail at the Cozy Quilter
Lady Jane is a beautiful quilt. I look forward to seeing her finished! Thanks for linking up with Monday Musings. I admire those who hand quilt. I did it two times - my first and last!!! HA!!
Thank you for sharing the products you use, it's really helpful to know what experienced crafters use themselves.
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