Guitar picks? Spoons?
 

I'm really loving this board, has such a wealth of information on it. You all have me sold on getting a lap hoop for hand quilting on a couple of quilts I'm about to do, but I saw a reference to using a spoon on a quilt. Someone else upped it to finger picks. Now I'm curious about them, especially the guitar picks. I've tried searching for more info on how either one is used, and all anyone says is that the needle bounces off the edge of the spoon when hand quilting, but I would think that the needle would get caught on the edge. So someone explain how either the spoon or the guitar pick would work? Please?

I bought the spoon for hand quilting and I did not like it because you then have one less hand to use, if you understand what I mean. It does work if you don't mind that. There are some short videos on YouTube. Needle comes down and hits the spoon and then you move the spoon back and it allows you to make a stitch. Don't invest in one until you try it first with a regular spoon. I believe it was on Ginny Beyers site that I read about a lady who tapes a quarter on her thumb (the underneath one) and that is what I do. I use painters tape and have the quarter extend about 1/4- 3/8" beyond the tip of the finger on the non-nail side. The needle hits that instead of my finger. You will get the rhythm after a short time. I also use Clover Protect and Grip thimble and Quilters finger grips that I purchase from JoAnns. I use the thimble on my middle finger right hand and the finger grips on my right hand thumb and left hand middle finger. The grips make it easy to pull the needle. The quarter is on my left thumb.

You use the back of the spoon I believe.

If my "under" finger gets worn, I use two layers of electrical tape around that finger tip. Works well!

I'd bet a dollar that my late mother-in-law would have loved that quarter idea....she always used a thimble and went searching for the perfect one everywhere!

I use a tablespoon measuring thingy. I put my thumb into the bowl,hold it with the handle in my palm.placing it on the underside of the sandwich. The needle comes from the top and just catches the rim of the spoon and glances off for the next stitch. I use a hoop,and can easily stitch 10 stitches to the inch...which is good enuf.