It's going much faster now that I have a quilting hoop/stand combo. Quilting while holding a large round hoop is neither ergonomic nor efficient. The stand has an oval hoop, which allows better access to most of what is contained therein, unlike the round hoop. With the stand, I am able to use both hands for the quilting, one above and one below the work. I'm strongly right-handed, so it goes a bit faster with my right hand below (it "knows" where it is, better than the left hand seems to). But I'm getting better at using my left hand below the work. It's probably good for my brain, as well. And using both hands, even with the "slower" left hand below, is still faster than moving one hand above and below for each stitch. I haven't yet worked out how to do the quilting stitch without taking the needle all the way through the layers - I'm still at the "stab" stitching stage (say that three times, fast). But it's working, even though it doesn't show up very well in the photos.
I'd estimate one-fourth to one-third of the quilting is complete at this point. Haeli's birthday was yesterday, so I hope she will understand when she receives her quilt well after the day.
I'd be happy to help you with the hand quilting. There's a rhythm to it like most things. I'm sure that once you "get it" you'll be quilting as fast as you knit. I'll be on the look out for one of mom's English quilting thimbles. Maybe one will fit you.
ReplyDeleteOh, I wish. I have tried every kind of thimble there is, and just can't get used to the feel of them. Be that as it may, I'd treasure one of your mom's thimbles.
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