Ok, tonight i did binding on the picture in my avatar.... A sewed it on the front and hand sewed it to the back...

HOW the heck do people do that??? I did the entire thing today and it came out pretty decently for my first time ever, but wow are my fingers killing me... I even had rubber things on the tips of my fingers and I don't get how people hand sew this without pain.

Am i doing something wrong?

Probably not, no! But maybe if you posted a picture of the back where you attached the binding you might get a few pointers on easier ways to do it.

I will try tomorrow, it is flag fabric on the back and flag binding so you really can't see anything unless it is microscopic, I did my best to hide all stitches too.

Did you use a thimble? I couldn't hand sew without a thimble; my fingers would get too sore. Also, how large was the needle you used? A thicker needle with a big eye will be harder to push through the fabric than a finer needle with a small eye.

Here is my favorite video on how to machine-stitch binding on both sides:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wprg5...os=_w0gFlqkSgE

No you probably did it fine, you are just using muscles differently and that is probably why they are sore. My fingers get sore also , so I stretch them frequently when hand sewing :lol:

Plus if you are nervous or tense you tend to grip the needle harder :wink:

I attach all of my binding by sewing on the front and then hand sewing the back. The first time just about killed my fingers but I thought it was just because I have arthritis at a young age and I was just being a baby. But, right now I'm working on 2 baby quilts and last night I worked on the binding for 3 hours and finished that one up today with another 2 hours by just taking it slow and my fingers are fine. Then I started the other baby quilt, lol, and got a good 3 hours in on that one tonight. Tomorrow I'll finish it up for shipping. Just keep working those finger muscles and it'll get easier.

I'm sure you weren't doing anything wrong. Try a smaller needle - it'll be easier to push through. If that doesn't work, try a glass of wine! :lol:

In my experience sewing is like any other trade, you must use the correct tools for the job, a smaller needle, (a new sharp one) plus a thimble when you have to, will make any hand sewing job easier, I hand stitch my bindings on the back no trouble and rarely use a thimble, I assume we are talking about regular cotton fabric for the quilt top here. In my work we used to sell needles of all kinds, believe me there are hundreds of different kinds all for different uses, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the more popular ones used for hand sewing and quilting.
It will make your sewing tasks a lot easier and less painful!
Gal

try buying some betweens, they are quilting needles,and are smaller, and will go through the material easier, also aneedle puller is a great help, and of course a thimble. There are tutorials here on the board to help also. One on using elmers glue to help keep it in place. It does get easier as you do more. Love the quilt, ver pretty

I've never gotten hand pain from sewing on a binding. :?: Quilting YES!!!! When you're sewing the binding down, are you picking up just the material to sew or the batting with it?

I personally prefer a milleners needle to a short needle, and I only use good quality needles (John James, English, Bohin,French, etc, no cheap made in china junk). They are sharp and last longer, when I have tried to go with cheap they aren't cheap because I don't use them. If you check the points and shaft under a magnifying glass there is a difference.

I also prefer a fine needle, nothing less than a size 10 (and I have arthritis in my hands).

So my suggestion is that you try different sizes and brands to see what is comfortable for you and maybe you need to relax and enjoy the process more.

Longarm

I feel real klutzy using a regular thimble, so I use stick on leather dots called : ThimblePad. They stick on to your finger, so you can place them in the exact location you need. They can be used over and over until the adhesive no longer is sticky. I place them on my magnetic pin cushion when I'm finished using it and it's right there and ready for use the next time. Also using a smaller needle is helpful.

I do it that way and just stretch fingers periodically.

Take lots of breaks. I'll sew for awhile then get up and do something else for awhile. I can't sit very long so taking lots of breaks is necessary for me. That also helps relax your fingers. :thumbup:

I would also say check the needle size. The smaller the needle the easier. It can be tiresome hand stitching. I do a lot of hand quilting throughout the day and then soak my hands in hot water for a while. Aaahh that feels better!

Put in a long movie! Even when I have the right needles and needle pullers I still sometimes get antsy or overwhelmed when I look ahead at how much I have left to do. But if I'm watching a movie while my hands are at work, glancing up now and then, I get so much more done because my mind is focused on listening to the movie and not on how much I have left to do. And I'm quite content to sit for a few hours if it's for watching a good movie.

My 4 fingers gets numb, lets see, cell, computer, quilting, driving, rolling my hair--- and I know it is Carpal tunnel--I am waiting to have the surgery in November..then I can sew until then. I have the hand brace to wear at night, and it seems to help, some.

You may have done too much in one sitting. I usually break mine into manageable chunks.

I learned to use a smaller needle and not do so much in one sitting. Otherwise my fingers hurt too.