Ergonomic hand quilting??

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08-26-2011, 09:00 AM

#11

Kristin in ME

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Join Date: Jul 2011

Location: Maine, U.S.A.

Posts: 536

Quote:

Originally Posted by NDQuilts

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristin in ME

The height is adjustable on it, and I have tried different chairs. The problem is that I can't see what I'm doing well enough if it's too far away. I don't think this stand is quite sturdy enough to rest my arm on.

I'm working on learning to quilt in all directions- I can do left to right (I'm left handed) and towards myself fine, I do ok with away from myself but it is a little difficult for me, and can't quilt from right to left at all. Can't even figure out how you do that! lol

To quilt right to left you would use your thumb. I could go any direction once I learned to quilt with both a finger and my thumb.

So do you also wear a thimble on your thumb? I'm assuming you're pushing the needle through with your thumb...

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I guess I just really need to do some more experimenting!

08-26-2011, 10:02 AM

#12

granny_59

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Join Date: Feb 2010

Location: Switzerland

Posts: 1,021

I got myself a Ted Storm thumb thimble and that works great! With those simple ones I was not able to get a good hold of the needle.
Granny

08-26-2011, 10:16 AM

#13

Stitchnripper

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Join Date: Nov 2009

Location: Mableton, GA

Posts: 11,204

I hand quilt on my lap with a small to medium hoop, not in a frame. I have a frame, but couldn't get it adjusted right for me to be comfortable. I find I do best quilting toward myself.

08-26-2011, 10:18 AM

#14

sharkee

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Join Date: Nov 2010

Location: Rifle, Colorado

Posts: 213

I have a Roxanne thimble that I use on my middle finger and a Ted Storm thumb thimble and since I have both of them I can quilt in all directions. I have only been hand quilting for about a year and my DH bought me a grace frame that I can get a queen size in and I also have the lap hoop and love them both.

08-26-2011, 10:30 AM

#15

Hinterland

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Join Date: Oct 2009

Location: Hudson Valley, NY

Posts: 941

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kristin in ME

So do you also wear a thimble on your thumb? I'm assuming you're pushing the needle through with your thumb...

I use a tailors thimble on my thumb - it's a thimble without a top. They come in several sizes and they're pretty inexpensive. It allows me to quilt away from myself.

I bought mine at the Vermont Quilt Festival, but if you google Pacific Rim Quilting, they sell them online.

Janet

08-26-2011, 12:15 PM

#16

Great-great granny

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Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Liberty Hill - Central TEXAS Hill Country

Posts: 1,040

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hinterland

I like to be able to scootch in closely, mostly because I can't see what I'm doing unless I'm close to the quilt top. If you can't adjust the height of the hoop, maybe a different chair would help?

Janet

I agree - I also like to 'scootch' & get close - (77 yr old eyes). I have a quilt frame that will hold the width of whatever the top is & 3 rails to roll it on, so have never used a hoop on a stand & an adjustable office chair on rollers.
Maybe an office chair that can be height adjusted might help, not only to get closer, which will help, but to be at a more comfortable height.

Good luck & happy quilting