Hand Quilting and Embroidery using Pearl Cotton

Tutorial on Hand Quilting with Pearl Cotton and adding pearl cotton to your applique using embroidery stitches such as bullion knot, whipped woven circle, backstitch, pekinese stitch.

[@wendywilson1736]

I got into big stitch quilting for the same reasons as you...I just want to get my quilts quilted, and enjoy it. I wanted to hand quilt, but after traditionally quilting (with tiny stitches!) our daughter and her hubby's quilt for their wedding gift, and struggling with doing niece's wedding quilts on my machine, or having to tie them, I found big stitch quilting online. And I am hooked. I pin baste, a lot, and just quilt on the table tap or on my lap. I gave up on hoops, frames or any other restrictive holding method. I just start stitching, with 2 ft lengths, with smallish stitches.

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

Thank you!! And yes… we do what we can to enjoy the process ❤ I find it so relaxing!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@gailgaddy5340]

Thankyfor the video 😊

[@teresawentworth6240]

I understand this is an old video, but it would help in the future if you would move the camera closer to your work to make it easier to see your stitches. Thanks.

[@karensorenson4925]

Thank you for your video - I too, am tired of trying to figure out what to do with my quilts, sending them to long arm is really expensive, so I'm planning on trying The Big Stitch too, to do my quilts, have 2 quilts waiting for me - Thank you, Karen Sorenson

[@carolyncarr6423]

You do beautiful work!!

[@marybeth4002]

Hello! I just 'found' you and have a question. I'm interested in trying hand quilting (again after a 30 yr break!!) but wanted to know - using the perle cotton thread - do you use all the strands of it? Or do you break them down as you do in cross stitch or sometimes hand embroidery? I found your tutorial very helpful and easy to follow along. Thank you for speaking slow enough and not assuming we all know our way around a sewing project. Thank you!

[@deborahwilson2857]

You use it as it is, it’s not like their embroidery thread that separates into 6 strands. I like using dmc 8 to quilt, and plan on using aurafil 50 (I think that’s the weight) to hand quilt.

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

Yes exactly as Deborah stated. It’s inevitable strand. And I find DMC to be the strongest.

[@MeMe-sy4sb]

Very helpful thank you.

[@dorothym9199]

Right on the spools of thread it’s called PERLE cotton, not Pearl. Just an FYI,

[@donnaogorman4935]

Dorothy 👍🇨🇦

[@luciagarza1736]

OMJ! When I saw her use her scissors on paper I almost passed out 😂

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

Lol… did I? I guess I’m a rebel! 😂 or they aren’t my favorite!!

[@amyislergibson2955]

First vid I have found that shows both quilting and emb, thanks! I do think when you are showing embroidery you need to get that camera suuuper close to your stitches. Many examples of this. See Ekta Kaul. I would love to see your work up close, would help, and I am thrilled I found you.

[@joanmeyer4743]

Ive had a stroke so all the 'ums' make it hard but i ❤️ that you talk slower than a speed talker 😂

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

Oh dear…. Yes, I might say Um often 🤭🤦🏻‍♀️

[@judithcarr6951]

This was the exact tutorial I needed to start my big stitch hand quilting. I searched everywhere to find something using Perle cotton. I have two major questions. I may have missed it but I didn't hear you say the size of your Perle cotton. I bought #8. Will that work? Also, when you say to change your needle because it gets a drag, are you saying that you can actually wear out a needle? I have never heard of that. Do you have any more videos on your big stitch quilting or even regular quilting? You are an excellent teacher. Everyone at my local quilt shops are doing machine or long arm quilting.

[@sherrinoel4386]

Thanks Judith! Yes! Pearl cotton 8 is what I use! You will be surprised to see how quickly (for hand quilting) you can finish a quilt! The needle should be changed once or twice, it doesn’t wear out but it doesn’t run through as smoothly over time just from oils from our fingers. Just something to be aware of. This is my only video on quilting currently. 🥰 Thanks for the positive feedback!! 🙏🏻💖

[@judithcarr6951]

The videos of your hand quilted quilts were inspirational. I will keep watching for more videos!

[@estellegiroux8165]

???????? I am on a sashiko table runner. It is very similar just different names. WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE PATTERN IN THE intro. It had a star which I love. Thank you

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

I’m not sure which one. You can find all of them here in my shop. Maybe Lucettia is the pattern you are referring to. iquiltmodern.bigcartel.com

[@milliecorcoran4663]

Do you use a Hera marker?

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

Yes! Sometimes I do, to mark straight lines! 👍🏻

[@milliecorcoran4663]

What size hoop are you using?

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

14” ❤

[@qltygrl3187]

How do you estimate how much thread you will need?

[@rebeccamaedesigns427]

You would be amazed how far the balls of perle cotton go… 2-3 balls for queen size if I’m mixing colors.