I am often asked why I choose to quilt by hand, rather than by machine. At times there is even an derisive tone in the asking. It is easy enough to say "because I want to", and leave it at that. But, here is want I really want to say.
Hand quilting is peaceful and renewing. I work at my own speed. I can work in total quiet. I can watch a move or TV. I can listen to music or an audio book. I can carry on a conversation.
Hand quilting can be portable. I have both a floor frame and quilting hoops. I usually choose to use a hoop, so that I can quilt wherever I want to. I can move around the house, and I can take the quilt with me. The hoop also provides flexibility in turning the quilt in whatever direction works best for the quilting.
This is a lap quilt that I completed earlier this year.
I find hand quilting to result in a softer quilt. This is a personal preference, no doubt, but it is mine. Machine quilting is exact, can be nearly perfect, but I find it makes for a stiff quilt.
This is a machine quilted piece from a quilt show. Not my work.
This is another piece I completed earlier this year. I spent the first few months of retirement finishing UFOs.
With hand quilting, it is easier to fix mistakes. The stitches are not as dense or tight, so they are easier to pull out, if need be. Admittedly, I pull out a fair number of stitches!
Hand quilting is certainly much slower than machine quilting. Depending on size, it can take me anywhere from two to six months to finish a quilt, if I am able to work an hour or two most days. But I am in no hurry. I do not sell quilts, and I have yet to enter a show. Quilting, and my quilts, bring me great joy. And that is my goal.
Hand quilting is peaceful and renewing. I work at my own speed. I can work in total quiet. I can watch a move or TV. I can listen to music or an audio book. I can carry on a conversation.
Hand quilting can be portable. I have both a floor frame and quilting hoops. I usually choose to use a hoop, so that I can quilt wherever I want to. I can move around the house, and I can take the quilt with me. The hoop also provides flexibility in turning the quilt in whatever direction works best for the quilting.
I find hand quilting to result in a softer quilt. This is a personal preference, no doubt, but it is mine. Machine quilting is exact, can be nearly perfect, but I find it makes for a stiff quilt.
With hand quilting, it is easier to fix mistakes. The stitches are not as dense or tight, so they are easier to pull out, if need be. Admittedly, I pull out a fair number of stitches!
Hand quilting is certainly much slower than machine quilting. Depending on size, it can take me anywhere from two to six months to finish a quilt, if I am able to work an hour or two most days. But I am in no hurry. I do not sell quilts, and I have yet to enter a show. Quilting, and my quilts, bring me great joy. And that is my goal.
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