I guess I was doing something wrong.. Started out fine as I was doing a runner and bingo. All of a sudden I had my finger bitten by the needle and I pulled back quick, broke the needle off and got a really neat rip in my forefinger. Hmm.. should I find something to put on my finger? Thimble or what? I feel like such a DUH right now and I can't finish the runner for Christmas. Already explained it to the person who was getting it. I Owe , I owe LOL...

OUCH!!! I've never tried FMQ, but I have been bitten by the needle and you never forget it!

LOL , I can see where you wouldn't forget.. great lesson for me...

You'll catch one. I once had a needle through my finger and I wasn't quilting, just sewing. Learned a lesson that day.

I've done that before. Really puts a cramp in things you want to do.

I happened to land my longarm needle into my finger once. Instead of lifting the needle I did like all insane people and jerked my hand back. Yep, ripped the finger BUT did not get one drop of blood on the quilt. YIPPEE!

Bandaged the finger and went back to work on the quilt. First Responder friend dropped by for coffee. Seeing the bandage work he wanted to see the injury. He got a bit upset because it was still bleeding and I had injuried it a few hours earlier. Dang it I don't have time to go to the hospital! But, I complied considering my husband went and took up with our friend. I'm not sure if the hospital just wasn't busy or if my friend told the ER doc that he'd better hurry up or I would escape but 1 tetnus shot and 8 stitches in 1 1/2 hours and I was back home!

I was told by the ER doc that since I work with needles, blades and the like I really need to pay attention to keep the tetnus shot up to date.

I like to use gloves that are designed for FMQ quilting - I think they are called MagicFingers or something like that...they are light weight and have grippers on the fingertips - protects those fingers and helps grip the fabric better.

Thanks for the tip! Needles can bite!

OUCH!!! I believe I was around 6 or 7 the first time I ran a needle through my finger. No ripping it out, it was right down through the middle of the nail. Dad had to remove the needle and my finger from the machine. Then he held my hand down with one hand and pulled the needle out with a pair of pliers. I guess it was a good thing that I trusted Dad completely. I remember it and the pain to this day but I don't remember be scared of having Dad "fix" it for me. My finger was sore for a long time but there was no permenant damage.

Well, then I'm not the only one! A few years ago, regular sewing, got the needle right in the middle of my middle finger fingernail - didn't yank it, had to get the needle out of the machine. Then couldn't just pull it out, had to wait for DH to get home to get it out with pliers. Amazing, it didn't hurt THAT much, but I hope that now I've had the experience, I'll never have to repeat it. I have a pic around here somewhere....nah, won't post it...lol.

Hope you heal up quick, OP! Ouch.

Ouchie!!!

Yikes 8 stitches..wow.. Sorry to hear that. Mine bled good so I just did it up nice after. I actually squeezed it to clean it. I am overdue for my tetnus shot. Had my flu shot Wednesday at my Dr...wasnt doing 2 at a time..woosy.. Yes.. I agree on the tetnus up to date..you never know.. I prob should call his office and see if I can just get one drive by ... shooting lol

I will look those up. Thank you !!! Nice to not slide around on the fabric too.

OUCHIE...... through the nail...guess I was lucky I bite my nails..was just barely above it. Not nice being in it..Sounds worse! Aww.. Dad's can be wonderful!!!

I recall when I was in a sewing class in High School, I got the needle caught in my finger. (It is too bad that schools do not offer sewing as a class anymore) Needless to say, the teacher was not very happy. Thank goodness the needle did not go all the way through. I hope your finger feels better soon.

Owowowowow!!!! That's why I'm afraid to show my 6yo how to sew!

I'm a bit queasy just reading this thread. Funny thing is, I have run a needle through my finger twice (once was through the fingernail), and it really didn't bother me at the time. Just bandaged it up, changed the broken needle, and kept on going. But for some reason, reading about this happening to other people is ICKY!

That is really good advice, we all need to be up to date on the tetnus shots. I never thought of that before. Thanks!

After fifty years of sewing without hitting my finger with the needle, when I started FMQ I got my finger! LOL

A lady at the LSQ got her finger with her embroidery machine and part of the needle is still in her finger. It hurts like the dickens she says when the finger is touched - so after twice the doctor digging around trying to get it out, she is scheduled for surgery on it next week. Hopefully this time they can get it out for her.

Concur with the tetanus shots. Mine is due the first of the year and will have to do that. Good idea for anyone who gardens too. Had a friend who was cut on a thorn and it got infected. So keep the shots up to date.

I am so sorry that you had a battle with the needle and you lost, but time will heal the injury. Now as for FMQ, I have tried several times and I thought I was a coordinated person, but just can't seem to get the rounded points, they all resemble ice cicles. I know lots of practice and lots of patience. Do you think you will try again? My wish for the new year is to make a stack of quilting sandwiches and each day, sit down and practice for 15 min. Merry Christmas and a wonderful new year.

I tried my hand at FMQ the other day, I couldn't concentrate on the design for having to watch my hands. It's going to take a lot of practice and patients. But I won't give up!! Merry Christmas to you!!

ok I'm getting whooozey! LOL
David

OH IT PAINS ME JUST READING ABOUT IT! I never connected tetanus shots with sewing. I just assumed because it's clean metal, not like in the garden, it's not a concern. See how much we learn on this site?

I too have 'nailed' my finger while sewing this month. I counted my lucky stars that the needle went through the side of the fingernail and not through the fingernail.

I found the broken pieces of the needle, made sure the puncture wound bled plenty, applied Neosporin, slapped a plaster over it and continued sewing.

I can't imagine 8 stitches for a needle puncture....ouch!

I was also doing FM when I got too close to the hopping foot & bam! the needle went thru the middle of my index finger nail.Didn't come out the bottom.....so I turned the wheel & brought needle up & out. Then it started hurting.Used antibiotic cream & by eve, it was barely hurting.Next day I washed it,cream, then wrapped it good.
It healed fine, but made me respect that hopping foot! :-(

I think you are talking about Machingers. I have those too and they help in controlling the fabric motion much better (for me). They do not work if the hand is too close to the needle. I would suggest to spread out both hands on each side of the darning foot.

Moa-moa! (That was a kiss for the booboo finger).

Ouchie ouchie! I've never done that yet, but, there is always a first time.

8 stitches!!! My, oh my!!! That was no little rip! Glad you went and had it checked out, and yes, the tetanus is a good thing to keep up to date! Glad you are okay.

Ouch!!!!! I am knocking on wood (knock knock!) and hoping this is one quilting experience I DON'T experience.

Donna, all I do is hand stitching and know what an OUCHY that can be. Go to most any quilting store or maybe in craft or dollar stores. Anywhere thread is sold, they should have a thimble. It's a little 'cap' to put over your middle or "push" finger. You can buy a medal (very light) thimble or for starters you may want to pick up one of the small pack of traveler's thread which normally has a plastic thimble.....

My OUCHY happened way back in 7th grade when we still used the old medal machines. Machine needle ran thru my nail, into and thru my left thumb and then was stuck in the inner workings of the machine. No 911 back then so someone had to go find the janitor and he had to come remove the needle....none to gently I may add! :cry:
May you and yours have a God blessed Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Year...... BoibbiSue

I only did it once, it bled a lot but I didn't get any blood on the fabric. I bandaged it really well and continued quilting on the machine.

I've never done that, but I'm sure it's more luck than anything else. I'm using a Quilt Halo when I FMQ and I also use the quilt gloves when I have a smaller project.

I have never heard the term QUILT GLOVE. Please explain.....

They are called Quilter's Gloves, and have gripper dots along the fingers and palm of the glove that "grips" the fabric as you move it for FMQ. I also use a Free Motion Slider to help move the fabric easily while quilting.

Thank you so much. Sorry but I've been hand stitching for decades. Guess I'm a bit outdated!!!!! This sounds like a garden glove I saw a neighbor using a couple years ago.....
Have a blessed year...

I have quilter's gloves and now I know why!
Ouch ouch ouch.

Donna Mare and those that experienced this horrible thing. Where you using a feet while FMQ?
The feet should be covering the space so your finger doesn't get caught.

Sorry but I think the main reason it hurt me that time was the mean old janitor being so rough... Got an "A" on my apron tho even tho it was HAND STITCHED.! Told the teacher that she could give me an "A" or an "F" but I would be hand stitching the rest of the apron. LOL Back in those days, it's a wonder she didn't back hand me in the mouth!!!!! Gave me a good head start on today's market!!!!!

No, This was back when we were using the old fashioned pedal machine!

I did the same thing in Home Economics Class, Only the needle came off and boke in my finger, teachers yells, "Don't bleed on your material" ( it was wool and not cheap!) I walked down to the janitor's room and he pulled it out with a pliar. Dad said the wound looked clean and it bled pretty good, so no doctor's visit, no shots, just soaked it and bandaged it. How did we survive? LOL