Back to basics, needles and thimbles
02-19-2012, 04:48 PM
#21
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Originally Posted by Hinterland
it sounds the quilt sandwich is too tight in your hoop or frame - try loosening up a bit. It's also possible you have a bad pack of needles, if they're breaking when you pull them through.
I use a piece of rubber to pull the needle through when it gets loaded up with stitches. Quilt shops sell rubber finger cots that will work, too.
Janet
I use a piece of rubber to pull the needle through when it gets loaded up with stitches. Quilt shops sell rubber finger cots that will work, too.
Janet
02-19-2012, 04:50 PM
#22
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Originally Posted by Kat Sews
The elastic band from broccoli makes a good needle puller/gripper. I use a pair of small needle nose pliers to pull needles. I have been hand quilting since the '60 and my favorite needle so far is the John James #9 betweens. When I have problems with needle bending or breaking it is usually either to tight tension on quilt or a lot of seams to quilt across.
02-19-2012, 04:52 PM
#23
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Originally Posted by JustAbitCrazy
I have a brass Roxanne's thimble, and it actually grips the needle to pull it through. You can also use a (medical instrument) hemostat or needle holder. They are readily available, on ebay at at flea markets, and look like tiny needle nosed pliers. Some have teeth on the blades, and if the teeth are too sharp, you can put a piece of tape over each blade so the needle doesn't get scratched.
02-19-2012, 04:53 PM
#24
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Originally Posted by virtualbernie
If you're not allergic, I use latex exam gloves. I cut the fingers off and use the fingers on the fingers that I use to pull the needle through. They are thin and because I'm only using them on the fingers my hands don't get hot and I can hold the needle as if they were my bare hands.
02-19-2012, 04:55 PM
#25
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Originally Posted by Holice
No one has suggested putting less stitches on the needle. I can hand quilt faster with just one or two stitches.
One does not have to fill the needle (unless he or she just wants to).
One does not have to fill the needle (unless he or she just wants to).
02-19-2012, 04:56 PM
#26
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Originally Posted by momto5
I use a sterling thimble from Jean S. Lyles when I need one...I'm afraid the leather ones think they're just there to be sure I hit the target!
02-19-2012, 05:00 PM
#27
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I didn't have sucess with the large eyed needles. I quilt with Clover betweens size 10...use a needle threader if you need to. I graduated years ago from the leather thimble (after a few pokes) to a metal one, I prefer John James. Everyone has their ideas, just try different ones until you are happy!!!! Keep stitchin'!!!!!
02-19-2012, 05:18 PM
#28
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I use the Roxanne #9 Between needles from Keepsake Quilting. I have been quilting for over 4 years, tried many needles, but these are the best.......I have 3-4 stitches on the needle each time. Works for me really well.....Also if I need to pull the needle with something which is very seldom, I have the little blue "needle pullers" from Joann's. I think you get 3-5 in a pack. Some great suggestions on the board. Maybe one of them will help you.
Happy Quilting.
Happy Quilting.
02-20-2012, 04:24 AM
#30
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Location: Central NJ
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You've already gotten some great advice here but I'll piggyback on a couple. I, too, use Roxanne needles usually #11 or #12. You definitely need the Roxanne threaders if you're going to use the #12's as other wired needle threaders are too thick to get through the eye. I will bend one every once in a while but not too often. I agree that the issue seems to be the large eye needle. I hated those things! I also use a (now) metal ThimbleLady thimble on my pushing (middle) finger. They have much deeper dimples than most thimbles and the open end makes them, for me, quite comfortable to wear. I would destroy the leather thimbles doing cross-stitch so can you imagine quilting???? ThimbleLady has plastic versions and a very good measuring explanation if you want to try them. I started with that to see if I liked them. Then upgraded to the stainless steel version. Still quite affordable compared to some. Hoop/frame tension might be an issue for you as well. Looser equals better. I use the rubber finger tips found in office supply stores on my index finger for pulling. This way I'm not stopping to pick up/put down all the time. It does help quite a bit but occassionally still need to use needle nose pliers. They are a godsend.
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