Start at the bottom picture in this post...again.
Start the quilting on the line where you brought your needle up. Try to get three stitches before you pull your thread through. As you are stitching I have a couple tips to help you from getting all knotted up...
1. Don't get your thread too long. I usually go the length of my arm doubled. Single strand of thread, with much of the excess doubled back until I need to lengthen it out so I am not doubling thread in the actual stitching.
2. Place a finger on the spot the thread is being drawn into. This will prevent many knots
3. If you find your thread is twisting when not taut, then let the thread hang down and it will unwind itself.
This picture should actually be in the post just above this one. This heart is completely quilted, the ending knot tied and pulled to the under side of the top fabric. The thread has been "traveled" to about 1/2 or 1 inch away. The thread, you see it held up in the air, is ready to be cut now. I took out most of my inner basting stitches so you could see the heart stitching better. I left the basting near the edges because I still need to bind this and I want the three layers held together longer.
Try to keep your stitches evenly the same length. This is difficult, but you can keep them close to the same length with practice. And most of you will have the advantage of not using a frame, which actually makes it more difficult to get the needle up and down.
Gently tug this thread until the knot goes through the top fabric and stays inside the layers. If you pull too hard it will come completely out .
Once your needle is out gently pull the thread until the knot you made is stuck on the outside of the fabric.
To Quilt...Use a "between" needle, hand quilting thread, and a thimble.
Thread the needle and tie a double knot in the end about 1/2 to 1/4 inch away from the end of thread.
Take your needle through the top layer of fabric only about 1/2 inch away from your quilting line and do what I call "traveling".
(Traveling is to ...Move the needle and thread through the center of the backing and front the the quilt being careful not to wander to the outside of either of the fabrics. Bring the needle out where you want the stitches to start).
Bring your needle up on the marked quilting line.
