So far I have only done hand quilting and am self taught..........I don't use a hoop, do move the faric a fair bit, baste the quilt to death, and use the tiniest needle I can find. At the moment I am using one that belonged to my Mum, less than 1"... sorry no idea of type or size number. Because I have athritis I sometimes use a small pair of pliers to pull the needle through several stitches.

For all that I still am at about 8 to 10 stitches per inch.....last night I read about a 'winning' quilter who did 21 stitches to the inch............HOW???

I have no idea what is 'supposed' to be the 'ideal' ......................

LOL

Sadia.