How to Hand-Quilt a Bedcover

Hand-quilting is time consuming, but relaxing. Quilt a small coverlet first and then progress to larger quilts and bedcovers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Quilt Patterns
• Bedcovers
• Ironing Boards
• Quilt Frame
• Quilts
• Sewing Needles
• Tables
• Threads
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Sewing Chalk
• Tables

1. Choose a quilt design. Your design can consist of merely outlining any patchwork or appliqué work, or you can create an all-over design. Quilting can also be done on a solid-colored fabric.

2. Look through quilting books to get ideas for suitable quilt designs. Designs can also be found on Internet sites devoted to quilting.

3. Use tailor's chalk to transfer the chosen design to the top layer of the fabric before your project is assembled. Use one of the methods in the Related eHow "How to Transfer a Design to Fabric."

4. Hand-baste the layers of your quilt or other project together. Use large running stitches that start in the center of your project and radiate outward toward the edges. Baste generously.

5. Set your project in a quilting frame or place the project on a table or ironing board so that its entire weight is supported. No portion should hang over the sides of the support in a way that would cause the fabric to become distorted.

6. Begin your hand-quilting by threading a 16-inch length of thread and knotting the end. Insert the needle through all fabric layers from the top down. Gently pull the knot down through the top layer so that it's stuck in the filler fabric. Trim the top thread.

7. Hand-quilt along the drawn design. Use a closely spaced running stitch to give your thread line an unbroken look.

8. End a thread by knotting the thread end at the top of the fabric's surface (with the needle still threaded). Take another stitch through the top layer, but only to the filler layer, then up again. Pull so that the knot is once again stuck in the filler. Trim the excess thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a running stitch by bringing the needle up through the fabric and then down again and then up again. Take several stitches on your needle before pulling the thread all the way through. Keep the stitches evenly spaced.
• Use a sewing needle that is large enough and long enough to pierce through all the layers.

[catiemouse]

on 4/15/2009 I have been a quilter for many years and am now starting to slow down as my hands shake too much, hand quilting is over for me, sew I use the machine, using decorative stitch along the seams lines, I use metallic thread and it looks really nice

on 8/8/2006 I have just finished quilting my first quilt using polar fleece instead of batting. I recently fractured my thumb a found using the softer fleece as batting made the quilting easier during the healing process. It also washes well - useful for children's quilts that might need more frequent washing.

on 12/16/2005 Quilting needles are called 'betweens'. The bigger the size number, the smaller the between. These small needles are the secret to making the much-desired tiny stitches. Practice by gradually using needles that are smaller and smaller.