Alex's TQS Classroom

[Anne B.]

I'm a hand quilter wannabe. Way back I thought you had to have the fanciest equipment so I bought a beautiful hoop on a stand. But life had a way of interfering with my best intentions so the hoop looks great just sitting in the corner of my bedroom.
These little clips are just the right length. They don't overwhelm you with so much information that you don't remember where to begin.
I might just try handquilting after watching these clips. I love the personal style of the segments and look forward to each new one.
Great addition to a great site.

[Anne B.]

I use to only hand quilt, not well, but I did enjoy it. Since I bought a walking foot I haven't done much hand quilting. I have a half quilted project, UFO, that Alex is inspiring me to get finished. I am enjoying her lessons.

[Hannelore N.]

Yippeh! I'm doing something right.

I have just sat down and watched all the little lessons. When Alex was talking about batting I was getting worried. I have never done any hand-quilting, but I'm determined to have a go, so I pieced a simple top (about lap quilt size) from left over fabric and have just finished basting it. I didn't know what batting to use, so read the manufacturers 'blurb' on all the ones that are easily available for me and opted for Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom...... I'm now giving myself a pat on the back.

So, rather than starting with the actual quilting right now, I'm going to wait and see what else Alex has to say.

Is anybody else going to work along with the videos as a first-time hand quilter??

Alex, if you read this: I don't have a hoop yet, but from other types of needlework I have 14x14 and 17x17 inch Q-Snaps. Would they be suitable?

Lorchen

[Hannelore N.]

I am following along with rapt attention even though I have been hand quilting for a while now. I am self taught though, and honest to goodness have never had anyone sit down and let me watch while they quilted. What I do I just read in a book and tried to figure out as best I could (you know, now that I think about it I think it was Alex's book ) Now, speaking as a self taught quilter here I do use a PVC pipe floor frame that is 24" x 36" that has the snaps on the sides. I have quilted two large quilts - a full and a queen - on that frame. It has its advantages - It is easy to adjust tention just by twisting the clamps a little one way or the other, and it is easy to move and can be taken apart for storage, but I think I would be much better off with a real frame some day. It's disadvantages are making sure your back is perfectly smooth - it is easy to get tucks in your backing and not know it , or to shift your backign if you don't baste well. I'm very curious to see what Alex has to say on this subjet too.

[Alex A.]

Regarding the snap frames - I do know that some people like them. I think Mandy does have good insight to the tension problem. I am a bit hesitant to offer an opinion as i have never worked with them - hands on. Also a 16" wood hoop is also FAB as far as hoops go. In the end a frame is the best - it doesn't have to be expensive - it can be as simple as a sawhorse frame. See if your local library has my hand quilting book in it - there are instructions for one.

[Hannelore N.]

Joe Cunningham produced a wonderful DVD with very detailed instructions about how to make your own quilting frame. He explains every step very clearly, and he is a delight to watch anyway.

Lorchen

[Sherry B.]

I agree, Lorchen. I bought his video and use the frame to baste quilts. I'm going to set it up Thursday and baste another one. It's the easiest time I've ever had trying to baste a quilt!

[Anne B.]

Has anyone tried the Heartland quilting frame? It's at http://www.heartlandquiltworks.com/heart2.htm.

It's so cute that I'm dying to have one, and I almost never hand quilt! When I do, I like to sit on couch with my feet up and the frame resting on my knees. It's easy on my back. But oh, boy, that little Heartland frame might just induce me one day to sit in a chair with my feet on the floor!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Anne B.]

Has anyone tried the Heartland quilting frame? It's at http://www.heartlandquiltworks.com/heart2.htm.

It's so cute that I'm dying to have one, and I almost never hand quilt! When I do, I like to sit on couch with my feet up and the frame resting on my knees. It's easy on my back. But oh, boy, that little Heartland frame might just induce me one day to sit in a chair with my feet on the floor!

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

I have never used this frame but it sure is cute!

[Eileen K.]

I started as a hand quilter, and my hubby bought me the Hinterberg floor hoop. Now that I have the longarm, I haven't hand quilted at all. My hoop is in my family room with a quilt draped over it for decoration.
I've picked up knitting to relax. It may not be too pretty at this point but I enjoy doing it.
eileenkny

[Eileen K.]

I'm enjoying these videos so much, that I may have to give hand quilting a try.
Thanks so much, Alex!

Gisela in Ohio

http://artaddworksforme.blogspot.com/
http://townerart.com

[Eileen K.]

I started as a hand-quilter 20 years ago and still love it. I especially use it for my hand appliqued quilts. On quicker projects, I'm getting better at machine quilting and finding that alot of fun, but there's something so relaxing and satisfying about taking my time hand quilting in my favorite chair evening after evening. I use 2 hoops, one large circle and one large oval. I like the oval best, it just seems to fit across my lap and rest on the chair's arms. I'm enjoying Alex's lessons because it's reminding me of stuff that I've gotten lazy about! We have a new puppy and a new kitten and I was afraid that they'd mess with the quilt and I wouldn't be able to work on it, but they've been amazingly in-tune and understand that it's off limits. I'm working on a Santa sampler, all hand appliqued. Hope to have it done for a quilt show in May. Quilt On!

[Eileen K.]

I bought a Heartland Frame. I got it last March. The workmanship is great and you get a good tension with the frame. They do a really nice job in making them. Very professional. No rough edges.

However, since I have only hand quilted with a hoop, I couldn't figure out how to go a different direction without turning the frame around... So I put it away and am waited for Alex's instructions on how to quilt going towards myself. One would think I could figure this out on my own... but for the life of me, I can't get my all my fingers working together.

Vicki

[Eileen K.]

I can quilt in pretty much every direction, but I cheat a little bit ops: My thumb nail on my right hand is kind of thick, so I use it to push the needle with my thumb! This allows me to quilt from right to left and away from me. I just have to be careful because it is never fun to have a needle jam up under your thumb nail. I quilt left to right and toward me with my middle finger and a thimble. The only time I have a problem is if I break my thumb nail, because I can't stand having a thumb thimble on so it means I can't quilt different directions for a week or two lol. :lol: I want to see how Alex does it though because I am sure she doesn't use her thumb nail.

[Lynn K.]

I use all my nails, and then, after I've penetrated the nails, I have to either pick a different finger, try a thimble, or take a few days off and let the nail grow! :lol: