Hand Piecing/Hand Quilting

maybe you are pulling the piece too tight on the hoop and that's why you're seeing some of your hand piecing stitches? Also, the quilt should NOT be left in the hoop for any long period of time - when you are done for the day, remove the hoop and let the quilt fall as it wishes..no need to fold it. No hoop marks to worry about. And for repositioning, just move out and around from the center, where you started. Have fun. Sharon in Montreal

If you're a newbie to hand quilting, perhaps you didn't realize that a quilt shouldn't be pulled drum-tight in the hoop? It's much easier to quilt if the sandwich is pretty "saggy" -- as though a cat had sat in the middle of it. Many of us thought at first that we had to use a quilting hoop the same way as an embroidery hoop, but it's not the same process. :)

As for the marks on the quilt from the hoop, they may come out or they may not. :S Generally, it's accepted practice to remove the quilt from the hoop when you're not quilting; I'd say that the very least you should do is to loosen the hoop so that no pressure is exerted. That will prevent the marks from being pressed into the fabric. HTH! :)

You may be pulling the fabric too taut in the hoop. It doesn't have to be drum tight.

You want no pleats or folds on the top and bottom fabrics. Otherwise, just get the area you want to work on somewhat centered.

If you are talking about the squish or fold marks, the answer is yes. They will eventually fall out on their own, or will go away the first time you wash the quilt. Wrapping the hoop with grosgrain ribbon or muslin strips might help keep the hoop from crushing the quilt as much. Loosening or removing the hoop whenever you are not going to be quilting will help too.

If you are seeing a slight dark circle where the hoop was, then it may be a little harder to get rid of the marks. A dark mark would be from dirt getting on the fabric while you handle the quilt. This sort of marking often happens with needle work that has been done in a hoop. Ways to avoid it include; washing your hands just before quilting so your skin's own natural oils don't get onto the fabric, not using lotions or other hand creams while quilting so they don't get on the fabric, moving the hoop often while you are quilting, and removing the hoop whenever you are not quilting. The best way to get rid of it later is to soak the area in quilt wash. It may take a few tries before it is all gone. Debra in VA See my quilts at

Well, I'm guilty of just about everything that was mentioned here. I do pull the fabric tight over the hoop, and I leave it in the hoop. Guess I'll have to change my ways. Now to keep my QI's off of it.

Thanks

Mary from PA