In the 'can't live without' department...

I'm a side-pusher.

A few weeks ago at our weekly gathering, a *mostly machine quilter* asked for some pointers on hand quilting.  Our quilt group is pretty large and it was a little surprising how many individual approaches there were.  Especially interesting was the thimble issue.  Use one, not use one, metal, leather, plastic, side push, end tip push.  Personally, I cannot imagine quilting without one.  Really, how does that work??

When I started quilting many years ago, I used an old, cheap metal thimble from my mother's sewing basket.  It turned my finger green but I loved it because it had nice, deep dimples.  Eventually, it wore down so much that my needle head started to poke through them as I pushed.  After a few painful reverse stabs of the needle into the side of my finger, I discarded it and started my quest for a replacement.

I thought it would be as simple as running to the notions department, but found the selection wanting.  Most thimbles at the time (still?) had very shallow dimples which didn't grab the needle end, resulting in a loss of control...the needle would literally skid off the thimble as I tried to push it along.  I sampled leather styles, half thimbles, a plastic version, but none matched the functionality of my original thimble until I found my current one, which I love, love, love. 

It's a sterling silver one, size 10 according to its marking, with the loveliest, deep, needling-grabbing dimples.  I found it at an antiques show, in a jewelry case with many others, alongside a jumble of rings, necklaces and small odds and ends.  The show wasn't high end, bordering on a flea market, which makes me think that it would be fairly easy to find such beautiful old thimbles if you poked around a bit.  I've been quilting at least 6 hours a day over the last few weeks and I can't imagine doing that without my trusty thimble. 

Another item I couldn't quilt without...at least for very long...is my support glove.  I never gave much thought to mentioning it here until another quilter asked about it.  I got one years ago when I had temporary wrist problems and it feels so good that I have continued to wear one when quilting or doing any fine handwork, Latvian mittens included.  The theory, I think, is that the snug double fabric at the wrist provides warmth that helps prevent strain.  Honestly, the whole thing feels great and my hand never tires when I use it.  It's the Handeze glove and is readily available at Jo-Ann's, Amazon and other retail and internet sites.  It does come sized, however.  Here's a link to an online hand size chart that seems accurate.  I wear a size 3 and the chart confirms that choice. 

Ok, back to the quilting! 

Comments

[Gwendie]

It's nice to see what other quilters consider a necessity. I agree - I couldn't hand sew anything any more without a thimble. I'll have to try the support glove, too. It looks like a good idea.

[Anita]

Yup, that's me, a "mostly machine quilter." I'm so glad you shared your tips. There are so many different ways to hand quilt, but it's nice to hear everyone's methods and then try them out. I'm contemplating hand quilting my medallion quilt. But it's still sitting on my shelf because I'm afraid to start. One of these days...

[Janet]

It's interesting to see what other people use. I found the absolute perfect thimble, wore through it but it's no longer made and it cost a bomb being silver.

[Magnolia Bay Quilts]

Interesting post! I guess I'm an end-pusher, but I don't use a hoop anymore.

Love the quilt you're working on!

[blackbird]

I'm surprised there hasn't been a version of that glove prettied up...and, as a non-quilter, I can imagine wearing one of those gloves on my left hand as I have a bad wrist.

[lisa]

I have tried the gloves, maybe not sized properly, because my fingers go numbish. My favorite thimble is the little sticky suede dots. I tried a bunch too and always go back to the dots stuck to my magnifying lamp :)

[Thimbleanna]

Oh, what a beautiful thimble! My mother and I love to hunt for sterling thimbles in our travels. You'd be amazed at how much harder it is to find them than it used to be. I'll be looking forward to seeing that quilt finished!

[kathie]

LOVE the quilt your quilting
what fun it must have been making it. JUst makes me smile.
Yes I use a thimble, a must
I will look for an antique one now that you said you have.
never would have thought of that
I buy different sizes though as the weather changes or different times of the day my finger size changes slightly
do you find that too?
just curious how are you quilting this quilt?
Kathie

[Clare]

Great quilt - lovely colours.

I don't use a thimble. I've tried and tried, but I can't sew. To pull and push I use those thin rubber needle grippers, like discs. A lot easier, though I keep on looksing them!

I'm on the hunt for a Handeze. Found the website. Thanks.

[Cindra]

i'm sorry... what were you saying? I was so dazzled by the colors and polka dots I couldn't see a word you were saying? Something about dots on a thimble? I do love that quilt you are working on!!! More ... please?

[Lazy Gal Tonya R]

ooh, beautiful fun bright quilt. gorgeous thimble too. I just love the Dritz thimble that has the rim around the tip. And Hand-Eze are fabulous - I've been using them for years and have so much less wrist and hand pain...

[Wendy]

I knew you'd find it for me! I even have a gift card to JoAnn's. Yay!

[JudyC]

I'd love to get a silver thimble from the ThimbleLady but for now I love my brass Clover one that's adjustable and open. It's got the biggest dimples and it has the space for my nails which are always long, so that works for me. Now see how your middle finger is curved into your thumb? I could never do that! It kills the nerve down the back of my hand. I keep that finger straight and use the side of the thimble quilting towards my tummy.

PS..Love the quilt!

[KathieB]

I have an antique silver thimble that was my mother's. But it has sprung a leak--not good. So I'm using garden-variety thimbles now, but I plan to keep my eye open for another silver one. Having lovely sewing tools is such a pleasure.

[Cascade Lily]

It's definitely all about the needle! I have had such problems - including thimbles whose dimples are too deep - they snap the ends off the betweens!

Also, I am so envious that you have six hours/day to quilt! One day, one day!

[Lynn]

I'm a mostly machine quilter as well. I've tried hand quilting because I could see myself really getting lost in my work, but then I get stabbed by a very short pointy needle and I remember why I don't like it!!! I've tried the dots and the metal thimbles, but the only thing that's tolerable for me is the leather one. However I still prefer machine quilting and getting my hand work fix by cross stitching.

GORGEOUS quilt btw!!!!

[Ally]

I have a support glove, too, and I love it. I got mine at Rite-Aid. :)

[Kristin]

I love my Hand-Eze glove. I use it for knitting. It's in a bag around here somewhere...