Hand quilting starts by tying a knot at the end of the thread, leaving a tail about 1/4 inch long. Insert the needle into the top fabric and the batting, about 1/2″ away from where you want to start stitching. Do not go through to the back. Pull the needle up through the top where you want your first stitch to begin. Pull thread through gently but firmly until you see, feel, or hear the knot pop through the top and into the batting. Rock your needle back and forth gently making your stitches as small and as even as possible. This is shown in the video with the right hand. The left hand is under the quilt, palm up. The fingers on that hand push up against the quilt. The bottom of the hoop rests on the ribcage and the left edge of the hoop sits in the crook of the left arm. The left hand is not grasping the hoop. It is underneath to help with the stitching.
