Originally Posted by dublb

Originally Posted by Prism99

I really think your problem with the needles is the larger eye. Some brands of needles are sharper than others; I'm not sure about Hemming.

Amazon has Roxanne needles in size 10 and John James in size 9. Why not order some needles online? If you factor in gasoline costs to shop locally, it's often worth it even if you have to pay shipping.

Is it the finger using the thimble that is getting injured? Or the other finger? I am thinking maybe the lip of the thimble is too sharp? Thimbles are such a personal matter, it's hard to make a recommendation about type.

Originally Posted by mpspeedy

I have been handquilting for more than 40 years. I use the tan leather thimbles. They have a little piece of plastic embedded in them to keep the needle from going through them. I also wear a leather thimble on my left thumb. I cut the "skirt" on it down as that digit is shorter. I long ago taught myself to quilt with both hands. It makes is so much easier, especially if you are working on a floor frame. They actually make a little round disk of rubber that you can use to grip the needle with if it seems to be stuck. I have made myself some just by cutting into small circles one of those rubber like disks they sell or give away to open a jar. The larger eye needle is part of your problem. I know as we age it gets harder to see that tiny eye. I make sure I use handquilting thread as it is especially stiffened to make threading the needle easier. Over the years the tips of my fingers have gotten tough from the constant touch of the needle. I really have to jab myself hard to even feel it anymore.
There are various tools on the market for pushing the needle. One of them looks like a modified spoon and another is again a spoon like handle with a small paddle shaped round end. I know that some people have had a lot of luck with them.

Originally Posted by spark

I hand quilt with betweens or sharps. I did not like John James needles, but I do use the
thimbles. I also put a finger cot on the finger that I use to pull up the needle. It gives just enough traction to make pulling the needle easy.

Originally Posted by 117becca

I also dropped using the large eye needle. I quilt w/ YLI thread - it's a glazed cotton and is stiffer, and I haven't had any problem threading it thru a regular needle. Once a needle bends, I pitch it. My preferred needle is from Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage. I do use a size 10 Betweens and I think they're sharper than the Roxanne's (which is too bad, because I bought a container of 50 of the Roxanne's)....

btw - I use a leather coin thimble that I get from Joann's. Never have mastered the metal thimbles.

And yes, I only get 2 or maybe 3 stitches on the needle, but that's ok

Originally Posted by Tartan