Hand-quilting on a train

I recently had a quilt to finish and also had two long train journeys to make so I decided to combine the two and to get on with my hand-quilting on the train.

I bundled my quilt into my extra-large bag (details below) and put a small kit together in a small zip-up pouch.

This is the contents of the small bag.

A key part of my plan was the use of quarter-inch quilter’s tape, as seen below.

I use this to mark my stitching line (about twelve inches at a time.

I then stitch along the top of the tape, then lift the tape and place it on the next section to be quilted.

I am using a strong cotton quilting thread by YLI.

I like the thread and I particularly like the notch on the base of the wooden reel where you can insert the thread to stop it unravelling.

I use a quilter’s thimble with a flat top which helps to stop the needle from sliding off. (See the post here about thimbles.)

I have two pairs of scissors in my little kit. These are small paper scissors for cutting the tape.

Using the embroidery scissors would lead to sticky scissors and sticky thread.

I took my needle-case of quilting needles in the kit. (For the post about needles, go here.)

Normally I thread up a number of needles so I can go quickly from one to another without stopping to re-thread. On the train, working in a confined space, I just used one at a time!

Also in the kit is a small, foldable thread-catcher (handmade but not sewn by me) which is extremely handy for catching all the scraps of thread so I could leave my various train seats as I found them.

It folds flat after use wwith all the threads inside.

The Midnight Ferns fabric, which I designed is available here. The recommended fabrics for the bag are Cypress Cotton Canvas, Dogwood Denim or Recycled Canvas as these will ensure a sturdy, long-lasting bag.

The Midnight Ferns pattern for the large-scale bag I carried my double-bed sized quilt in is available here.

Thank you for reading my blog.  Quilt Patterns are here, Fabrics are here, Classes are here.

There’s also a great monthly newsletter full of design and colour inspiration, plus textile news of all kinds – get in touch if you would like it.