Hey there Reader

Today, I want to chat about something that might ruffle a few feathers! We're going to talk hand quilting and why, in my humble opinion, most people shouldn’t even attempt it.

Now, don’t get me wrong—hand quilting can be a beautiful, meditative process. There’s something undeniably romantic about the idea of sitting by the fire, needle and thread in hand, stitching love into every inch of a special quilt. But here’s the kicker: while the intention is pure and noble, the reality often isn’t quite so rosy.

Let me share a little story. A few months back, a lovely lady (lets call her “Jane”) came to see me with her quilt. Jane had visions of hand quilting a queen-sized quilt for her daughter’s wedding. I basted it for her and sent her on her way hoping to not see her return (I mean this in the nicest possible way!!). However, fast forward a few weeks and Jane was back in my studio, frustrated and overwhelmed. She had barely made a dent in the project, and the wedding was looming closer every day.

Jane’s story isn’t unique. In fact, I hear it more often than I’d like to admit. So many quilters, especially those new to the craft, dive into hand quilting with the best intentions only to find themselves overwhelmed and under a mountain of fabric. Hand quilting is incredibly time-consuming and requires a level of precision and patience that, frankly, most of us don’t have in our busy lives.

Let’s be honest here: life is hectic. Between work, family, and trying to squeeze in a bit of “me time,” many of us don’t have the hours it takes to hand quilt a large project, especially one with a deadline. Not to mention the physical toll - hand quilting is tough on your hands, wrists, and back. It’s a labour of love for sure, but it can also be just plain laborious.

So, what’s the alternative? Leave the unfinished quilt top in a cupboard? Nope - you guessed it: longarm quilting or using my quilt-as-you-go method on a domestic sewing machine. These methods not only save you time but also preserve your sanity and keep your enthusiasm for quilting intact.

I get it—there’s a certain pride that comes with saying, “I hand-quilted this.” But there’s also immense satisfaction in completing a quilt that you’re proud of, without sacrificing your time, money, and physical well-being.

So, if you’ve been struggling with a hand quilting project, or if you’re considering starting one, I urge you to think about alternative methods. There’s no shame in choosing a path that makes the process more enjoyable and manageable. In fact, it’s smart quilting. I know many of you love hand quilting and all power to you I say! But for others it may well be a lot smarter and more cost efficient to try a different method to get that quilt finished.

If you’re curious about learning more, I’d love to chat. I offer classes on longarm quilting and the quilt-as-you-go method, designed to help you create stunning quilts without the headaches. Drop me a line if you’re interested, or if you just want to share your quilting stories - I'd love to hear them!

Happy quilting and have a fabulous weekend,

Lyndelle xo

P.S. If you have a hand quilting project that’s driving you up the wall, bring it in. Let’s see how we can turn it into a finished quilt that you’ll love and be proud of, without the stress.