Back to basics, needles and thimbles
 

I have been working hard on hand quilting my quilt, but am having some problems. It is nothing I can't deal with, but I'm just wondering if anyone here would have a suggestion or tip.

I'm using Richard Hemming & Son large eye needles, #11. Threading the needle isn't too much of a problem as long as the thread is fresh from the spool. It seems to me that it isn't really any easier than it was when I used to use regular eye #10 needles. These were the only ones I could find in the town where I live. Walmart had some, but they were junk. They bent after the first few minutes of use. It is hard to quilt a straight line with a bent needle. So I went to my LQS. This was all they had.

Anyway, I don't know if it is the smaller size or the larger eye, but I am having a real problem not only trying to grasp the needle, but pulling it through the fabric when it contains any more than two stitches. It will take forever to quilt at that rate. It is also very hard on my thumb. When I attempt to grip the needle, most times it slips right through my fingers. I can't seem to get traction (sorry, NASCAR season just started). I've even tried roughing up the needle with a little emery paper. That helped a little. I'm thinking some kind of device on my thumb might help. Any suggestions?

An unrelated issue--I've bent two needles and broken one. I was pulling it through and apparently don't know my own strength because the needle snapped, right at the base of the eye. The tip went flying. Fortunately for my cats paws, I found it.

Also, I'm using a standard thimble, the same one I have used for seven other quilts with no problem, but I'm thinking it may be time to go thimble shopping. I am having to wrap my finger, (I usually use my index finger) with a cloth bandage in order to not injure my finger with the edge of the thimble. Does anyone know of another type of thimble that might work better? I want to quilt every night in front of the tube, but there are days I have to simply rest my hand.

Thanks in advance. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Carol

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

Thanks Bev, I will give that some thought.

I never thought about Amazon. I will check that out. I love ordering online.

It is the finger using the thimble that is getting injured. Together these problems are a real pain. I took the day off so I should be good to go to quilt with The Bachelor tomorrow. hehe.

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!

Experience is the best teacher sounds appropriate here. I was looking at those leather thimbles. Looks like they might be comfortable...I can do without the large eye. It doesn't seem any easier to thread than any other quilting needle...Quilting with both hands; that is awesome. I can't imagine doing that, but then I've never quilted on a frame or in a group before. I've only quilted with a lap hoop. I do love the freedom and don't have the room for a frame. Thanks for the response.

Thanks, I will definitely keep that in mind. Sounds like the ticket.

Becca, great advice. The price isn't bad either. I will definitely bookmark that site. I am thinking it might be time to pitch the metal thimble too. Thanks.

I'm long time handquilter, too. I find that not everything works the same every day. Some days I change thimbles several times until I get comfortable with one. Also, change needles to suit me. One thing I would not do is rough up needles with emery cloth. A rough needle will be even more difficult to push through the layers. Hang in there, you'll find something you are comfortable with.

Oh boy, you said a mouthful with that quality issue. I have seen the thimble you are talking about. I'm starting to think I may purchase a couple different kinds and then switch off, depending on my mood. I do believe I'm going to ditch these needles though. Thanks for your response.

Thanks, I'll try to keep it loose from now on Janet. Actually, I do think the needles are bad. I like the idea of a piece of rubber for needle traction. I'll give that a try.

Hey Kat, great idea. We must buy similar broccoli. I know exactly what you are talking about. Actually I bought some rubber bands that might work too. Thanks. Wow, quilting since the 60's--that is very cool. You must have created some beautiful things.

Thanks, I will check that out.

Thanks Bernie. I actually thought about that. Sounds like an excellent idea.

I can't even imagine trying to fill the needle. This problem exists with only two stitches on it. I'm thinking it is the needle. It has to go. Thanks for answering.

Thanks--I am thinking I need to do a little shopping. I need new needles and a couple different thimbles.

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'!!!!!

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.

Also, what batting are you using? Some batting is worse for handquilting than others...

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.

Finger Cots really help get a grip on the needle.....I put one on my index finger. Found them at the drugstore in the bandages section.

Bernie, I just purchased warm and natural batting for the first time. I think my problem is the large eye needle--at least that seems to be the consensus.

Thanks for what might just be the perfect answer. Variety is the spice of life.

Just to explain, normally I wouldn't take an emery cloth to a needle, but the one thing I've noticed about warm and natural batting is that the needle can get stuck in it while traveling to another quilting location. At one point, between a seam and the batting, I got it really stuck. I pushed the point too hard with my thimble causing a little nib on the needle point. I'm pretty frugal, and didn't want to waste a needle, not to mention the thread, so I simply sanded off the nub with the emery cloth. I poked it several times into the little strawberry part of my pin cushion, which made it nice and sharp, so I kept on using it. I know this is not a normal practice, but it did the trick. I noticed the shank of the needle was a little rougher too, which made it a little easier to pull too.

Thanks for your comment. Oh, I will keep stitchin. I have a long way to go and rarely leave something I've started unfinished. I'm weird that way. Besides I love it. I'm thinking I need a #10 needle. That is what I used previously and it felt better.

Thanks for your answer. You're right, there are some great suggestions here. I'm anxious to do a little online shopping.

I use bees wax on my thread. Makes it slide better and the thread has more body so it's easier to thread a needle. For pulling the needle through I use the rubber fingers sold at office supply stores.

Just want to mention that Warm and Natural is not the best batting for hand quilting. It is needlepunched through scrim, and the scrim adds an extra layer for the needle to push through. A batting such as Hobbs 80/20 would be much easier to hand needle.

Thanks for your comments. I have actually been to Liuxin Newman's website. I think she is the most phenomenal hand quilter ever. Her work is so stunning. While I was writing this original post I had wondered if anyone would mention these thimbles. I'm glad you did. There's no way I can afford one of them, but might consider a plastic version. This will certainly be on my wish list.

I continue to learn as I go, and already learned about hoop tension. I admit I do have concerns about the leather thimbles. I'd hate to push through it into my finger. That would really hurt. I wonder if anyone has done that. Little needle pricks are one thing, but stabbing myself with force is quite another. Ouch! I also can't imagine having to stop and start with a needle-pulling device, though there are times that would really help.

Thanks Karen. Actually, my retired mailman husband actually mentioned that.

Love your name Quilt-Till-U-Wilt...I actually bought some bees wax--actually when I bought these rotten needles. ;-) Looks like a trip to Staples for me. I need rubber fingers.