running1

Hello all... it seems that when I've been hand quilting my fingertips get so very dry... Am I alone? And what wonderful formula do you use to combat this? I don't often get to hand quilt, but am trying to finish a project and have noticed my fingertips are so SO dry! I know winter is partly to blame, but it seems that handling the fabric as much as I have has had an increased effect on the dryness. Help???

QuiltingHaven

There is a new product out there called Vaseline Spray and Go. I saw it advertised and bought it. You spray it on your hands and rub it in. It is not greasy and disappears right in. I put it on after I wash my hands during the day and just before I go to bed at night an it has worked wonders. They do have nice tinted one for your legs in the summer and it doesn't wear off all day but washes right off with soap and water. I keep the a container of the untinted one in my quilting room, in the kitchen, and in the bathroom. Wash hands, put it on....love it!!! It works wonders on my hands. I was truly surprised. My hands were really looking terrible.

joyce888

Yes I have the same problem during the whole time I'm sewing due to the amount of spray starch I use. I use a product from Bath and Body Works called "Look Ma New Hands" it only takes a very small amount and you do need to give it time to absorb. My fingers are the worst when I'm sewing on binding. Also there's a product called Udder Cream that works wonders. It can be found in drugstores and Walmart.

lockesnest

I have an old book on quilting which was written by a lady doctor who quilts, Susan Delaney Mech, M.D. Her formula is equal parts A&D ointment, Bacitracin Ointment, and cuticle cream. I was miserable last winter trying to finish a quilt. My thumbs cracked and bled. Tried this every night before bed and each morning when I finished my bath. It has been great! Smells yukky, but not for long. by the way, the title of the book is RX for Quilters.

donnajean

If I don't use a lotion a couple times a day, my fingers would be bleeding. I discovered Nivea lotion last summer & it is working great. It has vitamin E in it and is not greasy at all. I use my hands a lot with gardening, cleaning, quilting, etc., so I'm using lotion year round.

NJ Quilter

The best hand cream I've found over the years is Johnson's Baby Lotion. I use it year round. Unfortunately not even it does much good on my fingers when hand quilting. Been doing about 4-8 hrs/day of that for the last few weeks trying to get this baby quilt finished (it's a big baby quilt!) so my fingers are just a breaking, calloused mess at the moment. I'm closing in on the finish so not too much longer and then I can give my poor fingers a break.

luvTooQuilt

im in the same boat... Lotion lotion lotion is all i can suggest.. Mine crack and bleed.. i swear the fabric just rips the moisture out of my hands in a matter of seconds- its like it knows !!!

dd

The dr. I worked for swears by petroleum jelly. She puts it on hands and feet every night before bed. She's muslim and their feet are always in someone's face when they pray. She says a lot of women comment on her feet all year long. I have tried but I can't remember to put it on before bed then won't get back out when/if I do remember.lol

Jingle

I can't stand anything on my hands. I have tried many lotions and can always feel a residue. I am going to try the Vasaline Spray and Go, if I can find it. I have dry hands and find just working with fabrics suck the moisture out of my hands.
I have a tendency to grow callouses on my feet, probably because I wear socks all the time, except in hot weather. My Husband has very dry hands in the winter from doing dishes and has very dry itchy legs, I buy him Lubriderm for very dry skin and it works.

Tartan

There is a recipe for making your own cream on QB that might work for you overnight. I don't recommend any cream while hand quilting though. It can transfer to the quilt and you can't grip the needle properly. I use hand cream every time I wash my hands in the winter to prevent them getting too dry.