Originally Posted by feline fanatic
I don't use a thimble. I push the needle with my fingernail (index and thumbnails). I do have some open thimbles that I sometimes slide on after I have started my quilting stitch. They are open where your fingernail is but have the little dimples to catch the needle. I can only use them when I have a straight line of quilting. If I am quilting curves I resort back to my fingernail. I use a lap hoop and have the quilt fairly loose in the hoop.
Needles, I use Roxanne size 11 betweens. Very tiny. I used to bend needles a lot. Not so much any more. I think it was because I had the quilt loaded to tauntly in the hoop.
Your comment about loading the quilt too tautly in the hoop makes sense. I have a small project I plan on hand quilting when I get the blocks sashed, and I will remember your advice.