Originally Posted by JCL in FL
I am a hand quilter but I have never done a whole cloth. I quilt pieced quilts and blank squares that are alternated in some patterns like the Irish Chain but my fingers get sore. How do you avoid this. Sometimes I bleed on my fabric.
When I started quilting about 20 years ago I had the same problem. I could never get used to a thimble (and I tried many!) and the middle finger of my right hand get sore. For that reason I slowly changed my quilting technique and it was getting much better. I don't push the needle with the middle finger like you do with the Rocking Stich, I hold the thread directly at the needle's eye between thumb and forefinger. When the stitch is done and the needle comes back to the top I can grab it easily - so you see I do single stitches. And I have calluses on my forefinger tips!