I have often wondered if they counted the top AND bottom stitches to get some of their counts!! And the part about the bottom finger getting jabbed till it bleeds?? Been there - done that! I have a pretty good callus going on now. I'll rub bagbalm in before I go to bed. And my thumb nail, too! I even use a thimble but I like to feel the pains, and joys of making a quilt! LOL!!