Welcome to the weekly hand stitching party! We encourage you to pick up one of your projects and put in a few stitches. And if you need a reminder about 13 of the benefits of hand stitching, click here.
I am getting organized for my first online hand quilting class for International Quilting Day and am trying out a new (to me) thimble. I was intrigued by Becky Goldsmith's method using a cone thimble from the Thimble Lady. It's a very different hand motion than what I am used to with a traditional thimble, so I'll see if I can catch on to it or if it will be a passing fad for me. Have you tried out this thimble? Do you use a thimble for your hand stitching? Let us know in the comment section below.
These are my "go to" tools for hand quilting, plus a needle and sometimes a hoop. I'm getting projects ready to show for the class and it is reminding me of my long history of enjoying hand quilting. I'll be putting more stitches into this quilt today.What are you working on? We hope you will link up your blog post below and share the progress you are making with your hand stitching projects.
26 comments:
Your quilt you will be quilting is lovely. Such pretty and soft colours. Somehow I just cannot seem to stitch with a thimble. I have tried many but for some reason they are all awkward to use. Have fun teaching your online class.
I used to use a thimble all the time but somehow got out of the habit, I must try using one again. Your quilt is so pretty, I hope your class goes well.
I watched a YouTube video on how to do a rocking quilt stitch this week. I need to find a thimble to try it out. I currently used a metal disc which sticks on to my finger, but I also realize I’m not quilting the way I’d like. So, off to learn something new.
I am blessed to have 2 highly useful and well fitting thimbles (one for my thumb and one for my middle finger) from local sources for a small amount. I would love to participate in your class but I don't have the quilt loaded yet in the frame... it is waiting patiently for me to finish organizing my new to me sewing room.... this is my reward and red work and other handeee projects until then... wish me luck that I can check out that link and try a class on National Quilting Day!
Kathi
Pretty quilt Kathy. I'm a no thimble person. I did learn to use and like a hoop though!
I usually don't use thimble for embroidering and it was very difficult to do it when I was hand quilting.
I learned to use a thimble when I was a teenager and can't quilt without one anymore. My thimble is like the metal one you show in the picture with your thread and scissors. I have several sizes, in the summer my finger is larger than in the winter. I hate it when the thimble falls on. I checked out the link you posted, it looks interesting but I won't be switching. I'm satisfied with what I've been using for so many years. Have a great week and happy stitching!
I am a thimble all the way person, I even use one for applique and hand embroidery. The only time I don't use one is for counted thread work or needlepoint when the fabric is stretched on a frame. When I was learning to stitch at my grandmother's knee, she insisted on a thimble, so my hands feel naked without one!
I use a leather thimble for hand quilting. I can't find any other type of thimble that comfortably fits on my fingers. I go through a lot of them as the needle eventually pierces the leather.
When I hand quilt (which let's face it isn't often) I do use a silicon thimble with a metal disc on the end and that seems to work.
I use a metal thimble with the ridge around the top and the the metal aunt becky underneath. I think it's hard to change methods once you learn and get comfortable with the thimble you learned on. I really don't know how people who don't use a thimble can put up with the pain. HE HE
I'd forgotten about my thimble from the Thimble Lady! I haven't used it in a while, but I did enjoy using it. It's definitely a different technique. Do you use her needles, also? They are so different from what I have always been used to...the theory that shorter needles make smaller stitches. I have signed up for a couple of your classes....I'm looking forward to it, and I know that I'll learn a thing or two :)
I think I got a cheaper version of the Thimble Lady thimble once - and didn't fit my finger right perhaps? I need to look and see if I still have it. I have a lot of thimbles I never use as I have trouble with thimbles and if they don't rest close to the joint right they hurt my fingers and/or cause a cyst to form. so instead I use stick on thimbles a metal disc on the long finger and a leather disc on the thumb and that works for me. The thimble lady it seems uses long needles which I just don't work well with
Just beautiful, I really admire you for being able to hand quilt. I just cannot do that.
Enjoy your class! I have about a dozen metal thimbles that I have bought or got from my grandmother. They just don't work for me. I like the brown leather thimble with the round metal disc on the fingertip. It just works best for me. Have a wonderful Sunday!
So interesting to read the discussion about different kinds of thimbles! I'm a self-taught hand quilter so I'm sure my technique is all wrong, but it's working for my small projects. I've been using the little round stick-on thimbles on my middle finger where I tend to get poked!
When I first started to try hand quilting I bought about every kind of thimble I could find and tried them all. I finally settled on one like you use with the ridge around the top.
I bought one of these thimble, it did not work for me. Went back to a regular thimble with a lip at the top. My regular thimble with regular dimples works the best. Love hand quilting, everyone has to try it to decide for themselves.
I so admire all of you who do hand quilting. I have never been able to get the hang of it at all and using a thimble is like having a baseball on the end of my finger. I'm sure that's the problem right there. I do applique, both needleturn and wool, but hand quilting just escapes me.
It always takes time to get used to using a new tool -- especially if you've had a long time "go to" tool for the same work. For hand quilting I actually like to use a basic leather thimble. I do a form of Jean Brown's quilting technique (using the "Aunt Becky" underneath) and find the leather thimble really good for pushing the needle through.
I don't usually use a thimble until my finger starts getting a hole in it, then I put on a leather thimble. I don't do a lot of hand quilting though.
I don't use a thimble and sadly have the fingertips to prove it! I've tried many but just can't get used to them. I sometimes resort to a bandaid when the going is tougher...should I admit that! I read the article in the link which was lovely but was a little surprised the actual scientific proof that hand stitching of any kind is beneficial to the mind and body wasn't included. It's wonderful that what we stitchers have always felt has now been backed up by science.
I had a very hard time with thimbles for years--tried each one--all different types-until a quilt teacher about 8 years ago showed up with one that was different--and I fell in love--I have 2 of them-they are by TJLane Thimbles and are expensive (they weren't when I got my 2 and I was lucky and got mine on sale on top of it ) they are sterling silver and are guaranteed for a life time--I do get small holes about every 2 years in them--but I just send them back and she fixes them and I'm good to go--I hand quilt nearly every single day--plus I use mine for applique and embroidery so mine get lots of daily use---
the reason I like these so much is I have strong long finger nails--so I needed a thimble where my finger nail sticks out the end of the thimble--okay--think I have said enough for now--but do check them out--they are worth every penny--well dollar you spend on them!!
luv, di
Hi Kathy,
I love the quilt your working on. So colorful.
And yes I use a thimble, I got it from my mom's button
box when she passed. I really enjoyed reading the 13
reasons to hand stitch..so informative. Have a great day!
Such a pretty quilt you are working, Kathy. I enjoy hand quilting as well. I am self taught, but have never used a thimble.I push the needle through using my thumb fingernail. I never got the hang of using a thimble. I hope you enjoy this new to you thimble . Thank you for hosting the link party.
Hi Kathy
I have two thimbles. Both fit well but I prefer one over the other...just feels better on my finger, I guess. Such a pretty quilt...you will enjoy visiting each scrap as you quilt it.
PS. I have some jelly bean fabric I could send to you...
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