The Quilting Stitch, From Start to Finish

In this video, you'll see how to begin stitching a design on a quilt, starting from threading the needle to tying off the knot.

[@marywallissoetebier9144]

starting hand quilting. the knot has been a problem and kept me from accomplishing my task. I think your explanation and video has helped me conquer this problem. thanks marywallis

[@mysweetpetals]

Thank you for watching! I'm glad the video was helpful. Keep hand quilting! The more you do, the better you get at it!

[@zainylainy1]

What a great video! Now that’s what I call a hand quilter! I’ve watched a few others that didn’t seemed to know any more than I know, but you seem to really have it all together!

[@mysweetpetals]

What a compliment! Thank you! And thanks for watching!

[@jenniferbarnes198]

This is a great tutorial. I really understand after watching your video.

[@carmenbutler1688]

Thank you so much for this lesson.

[@mysweetpetals]

Thank you for watching!

[@sharongrieser9470]

Nice tutorial! Thanks!

[@pattimurphyrocks]

that was perfect!

[@mysweetpetals]

Patti Murphy Thank you so much! And thanks for watching!

[@MsTiLaJ]

Thank you for thus good tutorial :-)

[@HRHDMKYT]

Thanks for making this tutorial and sharing with us Marguerite. It's nice to know regular thread, when doubled, is good for hand quilting (most tutorials I see use special -- expensive -- pearl cotton or embroidery floss for hand quilting). I was curious how you keep your layers together -- embroidery hoop? Basted? I think I see your backing attached to something using thumb tacks...

[@kathydanielson9839]

Thank you!

[@richy1993]

I have just started quilting, the issue I am facing (at the moment I’m sure there will be more) is the batting / wadding I have comes through the fabric with the thread. Though this doesn’t happen on the sewing machine. Do you have any suggestions? I’m currently using a standard sewing needle and cotton thread, the fabric is black velvet and the wadding is 250 bamboo cotton so it’s rather dense.

[@mysweetpetals]

Simple answer: the top fabric, in your case velvet, is too loose of a weave. Imagine seeing the difference between burlap (loose weave) and a 600 count bed sheet (tight weave). The batting will come through the top fabric because there's no resistance in that top fabric. It's super annoying, but you may have to be extra watchful with each stitch and try to control the batting and hold it in place as the eye of the needle comes through the top fabric, and keep the batting FROM coming up. This is one of those memorable experiences with quilting! I hope this helped (even a little), and wish you the best in your current project!

[@richy1993]

@@mysweetpetals thank you! I really appreciate your help. I will see what I can do!

[@GeminiDolly52951]

Are you using two strands of thread instead of one like most quilters do?

[@mysweetpetals]

+Gemini Dolly Yes, I use two strands of thread when quilting. I find that my stitches stay longer through washing, and heavy quilt use. Quilting thread is okay, but I prefer regular thread, two strands. I suppose it's a personal preference. Thanks for watching!

[@natasha5937]

I've never seen thimbles like that before! What are they called? Where can I find them?

[@mysweetpetals]

Hi! It's called the Clover brand leather thimble. They come in a two pack of various colors, and you can get them at Joann's, and Amazon (and probably other stores) for under $5. They are quite low profile and handy. But be aware that after time the head of the needle will push through the plastic backing. The size is a generic size, so I adjusted one to be smaller by tying a string through both ends. Try it and let me know what you think! Thanks for watching!

[@natasha5937]

@@mysweetpetals thanks! I have to try one!

[@Jan-wd1is]

It looks like tour thread is doubled, is that what you always do?or for this demonstration?

[@Jan-wd1is]

Sorry, I saw you already answered this, thanks, great info!

[@mysweetpetals]

I always double the thread when I quilt. I've found that its stronger, and the stitches break less often. I suppose it would be a personal preference, but that's what I do. Thanks for watching!

[@mas1964-rp]

thanks for explaining. that's was a big help. I can see though to that the tension of how loose the fabric is in your hoop matters which I'll have to work on getting right. also what is the best brand needles you use and batting material? thanks again

[@mysweetpetals]

+Marguerite Sawicki Hi, Marguerite, I use the inexpensive needles called "Prym Quilting, 25 Quilter's Craft Needles, usually found in the sewing section at Walmart. They're contained in a disk shape flat container, that has different needle lengths and eye lengths. I like to use a long thin needle with a larger eye (for easy threading, and more stitches on the needle). The batting I usually use for quilting is either a thin store packaged type, or a thin lightweight blanket batting. Hope this helps!!!

[@ellazamoracreate]

Thanks. I am going to quilt a bedspread bought at JC Penney. They just machine stiched it every 12 inches or so with a 2 inch straight stich. Color does't even match.

[@HRHDMKYT]

Hey! That's a great idea for starting/practicing hand-quilting... especially if you were lucky enough to buy the bedspread on sale. Thanks for sharing as a comment, so all of us interested in this topic can share your info.

[@dawnbaker7861]

If your using a stencil do you draw it on after the quilt is on the frame or prior to.

[@mysweetpetals]

You can add your design either way: draw it on the fabric before you pin everything on the frames, or draw it on after the three layers are on the frame. It's sometimes easier to have a design already on the top fabric because it's a little difficult to draw as you go... Thanks for watching!

[@dawnbaker7861]

@@mysweetpetals one more question when do you sew your prairie points on to your quilt top before you put it on the frame or after it's on the frame. This is my first time doing a big quilt and it's been many years since I have quilted. Thanks for your help

[@mysweetpetals]

Dawn Baker If you’re adding prairie points to the top of your quilt as part of your design, I’d add them before putting everything on the frame, along with any other add on’s. Hope that helps!

[@dawnbaker7861]

@@mysweetpetals Thank you so much for all your help

[@teresaberry8712]

What kind of frame do you have holding your quilt?

[@mysweetpetals]

The frame is one that I made myself, which is listed on my channel. The video is called How to Make Your Own Quilt Frame. Check it out! Thanks for watching!

[@teresaberry8712]

@@mysweetpetals Awesome! Thanks for the info!

[@mas1964-rp]

how do you know that the stitch is catching completely in the back of the quilt

[@mysweetpetals]

+Marguerite Sawicki This may be too much of an explanation, but hopefully it helps: When you begin the stitch, you start from the under side of the quilt, and insert the needle (at an angle) with the knotted thread about 1/2 inch from where you're design begins. The needle comes through the top fabric on the line of your design, and you pull the thread until the knot snaps through the bottom fabric. The knot is now secured in the batting. As you make that first stitch, and for every stitch thereafter, your right hand (I'm right handed) holds the needle on the top of the fabric, and your left hand (one of your fingers) is under the quilt where the needle is to come through, waiting for that sharp point to make it all the way through the three layers of fabric. Your right hand pushes the needle down through all three layers of the fabric, and your left finger feels the tip of the needle, turns the needle, and pushes it against the bottom fabric, guiding it to make a small stitch. At the same time, your right hand is gauging how big that stitch will be. Therefore, you know that the stitch is catching because your left finger is touching the needle and guiding it to make the stitch. (I'm sure you already know this): Because your left finger is touching the tip of the needle with each stitch on the underneath side, it IS sharp, so be careful with that left needle-guiding finger. After a while, a callous is formed and touching the needle doesn't affect you anymore. Thanks for watching!!!

[@bcsteach1]

I noticed that you used two strands of thread as well. Is that how you quilt? I am new to quilting and I was taught to use 1.

[@mysweetpetals]

+D Simmons I always use two strands of thread when quilting. I've found that using only one strand doesn't hold up to the wear and tear over time of using the quilt. I've used quilting thread made just for quilting, and discovered that the quilting thread is only a tiny bit better than regular thread. I want to make sure that my stitches don't come out, and that the quilt lasts longer….

[@lukaskrawi]

Tłumaczenie jak krowie na miedzy

[@Sarah79ss]

Where can I get patterns for hand quilting. Pls.do let me know. Tku.

[@mysweetpetals]

Sarah Bhuyan Have you tried searching “quilting stencils?” I usually make up my own stitching designs, but there are plastic stencils you can buy to trace those designs onto the fabric. And there are books with lots of ideas, too. Hopefully this helps! Please let me know if you have any questions? Thanks for watching!

[@Sarah79ss]

@@mysweetpetals Thank you for that quick reply. Let me search where I can buy quilting stencils. I live in Bahrain. Thank you dear.

[@SW-cu6bw]

At the start of the video you say you like to use a long needle to enable you to get more stitches on it. But you only seem to get two stitches on the needle - you are contradicting yourself!

[@mysweetpetals]

You can load up the needle with stitches, but I've found that two or three stitches on the needle are enough to maintain control of each stitch and allow for room to pull the tip of the needle through. To be more clear, I load two or three stitches on the needle, as opposed to the usual one stitch at a time... Thanks for picking up on this and thanks for watching!

[@johannerousseau8645]

Also, she’s on a curve and cannot put more in a row. On a straight line, you can put more.😊