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  1. #1
    Staceyh's Avatar Staceyh is offline Senior Member
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    Default the rocking motion....help

    I got everything... Sat down and got started. Well I got the knot down. then I buried the knot and got going till I had a hard time getting the needle back up. I know I put the needle straight down feel for it on the bottom then rock the needle all the way to the side and push up a bit my finger and needlepoint should come back up. it does but its a long stitch in should be short..... I guess it's just going to take a lot of practice practice practice practice and a lot of you tube.
    Stacey

  2. #2
    Gayle8675309's Avatar Gayle8675309 is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    I have been trying to learn how to hand quilt also. I still can't get the rocking motion down. Seems like when I bend my needle to the side it always jumps out of the fabric on me. So now I'm just quilting one stitch at a time, no rocking. Not sure if I'll ever get the hang of it. I am practicing on a quilt panel, I want to get better before I do a real quilt.
    Gayle

  3. #3
    cindyinohio's Avatar cindyinohio is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    I'm still learning, but it does take practice. I have trouble keeping stitches even size...but i guess if it was perfect it wouldn''t be home made! I always say God made the good ones and I did the bad ones! It will get better. One tip I use: your bottom finger may get sore from needle sticks and then will callous..I cut the sticky part of a bandaid off and stick that to my bottom finger.You can still feel the needle tip but don't get the callous.

  4. #4
    Staceyh's Avatar Staceyh is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    Ya.... What about one stitch at a time????? I know your supposed to load the needle with stitches then pull it out to have a few stitches at a time so what about 1 at a time or is that cheating. Just asking.
    Stacey

  5. #5
    Tamara J Liddell's Avatar Tamara J Liddell is offline Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    When I hand quilt, I do both, I will do one stitch at a time, and when I get going after a bit, I can put 1, 2, or 3 stitches on my needle.

    Which ever way is most comfortable for you do, in order to get even stitches.
    As long as your stitches come out even it doesn't matter how you stitch it..
    Remember there are no quilt police.. ;-)

  6. #6
    rebeccas-sewing's Avatar rebeccas-sewing is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    From personal experience I'd say that one stitch at a time makes it harder to keep your stitches in a straight line. Also, a really slow way to quilt only stitching one stitch at a time. Hopefully, you're working with the proper needle. It's essential to actually use a quilting needle. Don't worry about making tiny stitches. Once you get the hang of it your stitches will be easier to make smaller.
    Rebecca in Baarn, Netherlands by way of Orange County, CA.

  7. #7
    Bethy is offline Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zej-2uIyLY0
    Try watching this video of the thimble lady on a quilting show. She has a different technique and actually uses longer needles. I found it interesting and am anxious to try it.
    Beth

  8. #8
    Bubby's Avatar Bubby is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    Concentrate on trying to make your stitches even rather than small. A great quilting stitch has the same amount of space between the stitches as the size of the stitch, like this: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - smaller stitches and speed will naturally come with practice...lots of practice. I always use a lubricant for my thread...Stitch Heaven is the best I found. It prevents shredding and tangling. Barb
    Last edited by Bubby; January 29th, 2013 at 03:48 PM.

  9. #9
    auntiemern's Avatar auntiemern is online now Senior Member
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    Default Re: the rocking motion....help

    I like the thimble lady, however I have no desire to use her method. To rock your needle, make sure you aren't super tight in the hoop. After you push the needle straight down, as soon as you feel the needle with your finger, take your thumb and fore finger and kind of push your thumb toward your finger. It will push the fabric up and make a little hill, then push your needle back up, and it will come up where your thumb is. Then stand the needle up again, and repeat. Do this a couple times then pull your needle through and repeat. Your stitches will get smaller with time. Hope this helps.
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    Blankets wrap you in warmth, quilts wrap you in love

    Marilyn......

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