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I want to do some hand quilting again, I hope my hand holds out.

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Originally Posted by feline fanatic

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gal

I used the nail on my thumb to push the needle through it is very strong and I had no trouble, however I was quilting away from me instead of towards myself, I realise that now since I watched a lady on Utube!
Gal

I too struggle with thimbles and do exactly what you do. I push the needle with my thumbnail or my index finger nail. So I quilt away from myself when using my thumb and towards myself when using my index. I eventually "drill" a hole through my fingernail and have to wait for it to grow out a bit again. I use #11 Roxanne betweens and hand quilting thread. It takes a long time to hand quilt for me. I am currently on my 4th handquilted bed size quilt and I have been quilting for 20+ years. I have gotten to the point where I can not sit idle in front of the boob tube. I must have some handwork. Be it a tied quilt, hand quilting or a bit of hand applique. I truly suck at applique so I don't tend to do too much of that. I did spring for some hoity-toity sterling silver thimbles that have the back cut away for the fingernail. I can use those kind of. I can't start the stitch with a thimble, even these fancy ones. So I start it with no thimble, take a stitch or two then slide the thimble on. Because I am self-taught I still have to push the needle with index or thumb and those are the two fingers I bought the thimbles for. I have mild carpal tunnel but it is from working on a computer not from sewing and so far it has not caused me much trouble when sewing other than the numbness in my fingertips.

I also end up "drilling a hole" in my index fingernail. I can't use a thimble, have tried all kinds, even bought one of those pricey Roxanne ones. To justify it's existence I now use it on my under finger when piecing. I can only quilt toward me, so that's why I use the hoop, so I can turn my work in whatever direction I need to go. I would love to be able to quilt without a hoop, but I can't seem to get my stitches consistent.
:roll:

I, too, learned to quilt by hand first and love to as you say to "lose" myself in the serenity of rocking my needle in and out. I used to use beeswax or parafin on my quilting thread but found it left a stainning residue so I began using dryer sheets. My allergies and asthma got worse so I now use a pincushion filled with my own hair (that came out of my hairbrush...I dont cut my hair) and this makes my needle and thread glide more smoothly thru the quilt. I also thread several needles on to the thread spool and just pull one and the thread to working lenth and so rotate my needles. I use a size 9 and 10 needle because smaller needles help you make smaller stitches. I have listened to many audio books and movies while I quilt!! Very peaceful and relaxing.

when I hand quilt I use a large hoop, round or the rectange/square plastic ones. Sometimes I just quilt without any holder. I have a couple of floor frames, but no longer use them. Cumbersome and take up too much space.

For thread I mainly use Bottom Line - the thread hardly shows, but the indentation does. I'll use one of Superior Threads verigated heavier weight when I want colors showing. www.superiorthreads.com

Crafty, I hand quilt... I have done one, a t-shirt quilt by machine.... I love to hand quilt, it is very relaxing, I love the repetition....I have a custom thimble, a gift to myself, that I love... I yes I have stuck the dickens out of myself...I may try the leather thingie....
As for hoops, I used to use them all the time and also the floor stand one... The floor one becomes awkward if you are turning the design. I only bend so many directions. Then I tried just a large hoop, that's ok. I am currently working on a baby quilt, a single piece top, cartoon dinasaurs, which I am quilting around the characters and scenery, and it is just too many turns to put in a hoop, also gets difficult around the edges... so I tried it with no hoop..... Works quite well, think you have to make sure you have basted or pinned well to keep everything flat....I may leave the hoop off for good!
Ellen

what needles do you like to use when you are hand quilting?

I have tried machine quilting but didn't like it so I always hand quilt so much more relaxing using the rocking method its not always perfect but every stitch is done with love - I use a lovely little leather thimble that I bought on a trip to Pennsylvania 7 years ago and its still going strong - when it gets a bit loose I soak it in water and it shrinks back - no real tips - just enjoy

Yes I hand quilt,use num. 11 or 12 tween needle til I break it. lol. use a thinble and forget i hnve it on. I use a floor stand hoop or pvc frame my som made for me. Have so many tops that i need to quilt. I also hand piece and machine piece. Needle turn applique,and many other hand neele works,knit,chrochet etc. Of course I need to get off this thread to do much. lol

Crafty, I like the #7 betweens. They are short, but seem to work better for me....

I guess I lost this thread for a while and didn't respond to a couple of people asking questions about hand quilting without a hoop. I must apologise for that.

I just simply use big saftey pins to baste my quilt......lots of them! I then start in the middle and quilt my way out to the edges, removing the pins as I get to them. I just sit on the sofa or chair with my feet up and have the quilt in my lap and around me and go for it. It's fun and relaxing to quilt in this manner....for me anyway. I use a 10 or 11 between needle......a leather thimble on my middle finger and a finger cot on my thumb for pulling the needle through when needed. To prevent puckering of the stitches just smooth them out as you go and don't pull too tight when pulling the needle through. Just relax with it. Hope that helps someone trying to hand quilt without a hoop.