Hand Quilting
 

Question about the bottom hand. I've been watching some video tutorials on hand quilting. I see how the use of a thimble on the top hand works, but what about the bottom hand? When you put the needle down perpendicular you stop as soon as it pokes through the bottom. What prevents the bottom finger from getting poked, when feeling for the tip of the needle?

TIA

I had a leather thimble for the under hand, but would still poke an uncovered finger no matter what finger I used it on!! I think unless I felt it I didn't feel secure about making it thru all layers...I finally gave up and grew callouses!! I do know there is something like a spoon some people use, but I figure I would probably still stab myself! LOL

ps- I love your quote..I have a grandaughter with Autism...and was in the education field for years...SO TRUE!!

The bottom finger does get poked! I sometimes stick a little bit of masking tape over the area of my fingertip that gets hit over and over - you need to feel that poke to know when to rock the needle. I believe there are a few 'under hand' tools to help with this, but I have not tried them. Somebody here will know...
Alison

I always work up some good callouses when hand quilting. It really helps to be able to feel (ouch) the tip of the needle.

Yep - it gets poked.. But, i also get the hang of just how far to go to minimize the poking. I have tried to use protector things on my finger, but i just have to be able to "feel" it. I also don't realize how dull my needles get til I start using a new needle realizing how sharp it really is!!

I have 2 quilts in progress with hand quilting and, yes, my middle under finger is taking a beating, but a nice callous is developing. I'm not as experienced as many others but I agree that it's best to feel the needle poke through.

That being said, I found a black leather thimble at my LQS the other day and find it's working well. I can still feel the needle and hear a little pricking sound as the needle is rocked backwards. It took a little while to get the feel right and maintain my normal stitch length, but so far I like it. There are lots out there but this one is Nimble The Soft Thimble by Joy Enterprises. www.createforless.com carries them.

I can't seem to get a handle on using a thimble on my under the quilt finger. Use one on top though. That bottom finger gets sore, then a callus and when the quilt is done and I get all the dishes washed and the floors scrubbed and bathrooms clean, the callus is gone. Heck, it would be easier to do up another quilt!

I learned pretty quickly to stop before the needle actually enters my finger - pain usually does that for me. I also try to not have my callous build up too much, because I can't feel the needle as well once it gets too tough.

Janet

My poor left fingers! Not only do I have quilting callouses but I started learning the banjo about 4 months ago and now have banjo callouses on the ends of the same fingers.

Im am new to quilting and hand quilting myself. I have found that one of the rubber fingers from an office supply work really good. Its enough to protect your finger cause it will get poked. However, when you ae doing the rocking motion you need to feel the needle come through the fabric just barely and then rock it back up. I found that if I had a think thimble I couldn't feel at all, and if I wore no thimble I had to limit my quilt time cause my finger would get so sore.

Once you start hand quilting you will have to try many different things and keep in mind what works for one person may not work for the next person. All of these ladies have wonderful suggestions and are a wealth of information. Good luck and happy quilting.

Diane

i get the pricked fingers when i quilt with a small needle, rocking it etc. Another option is the "thimblelady". She teaches use of a long needle, loose quilt in frame and manipulating the quilt to make the small stiches. it does work. i bought her book with the DVD and needles and thimbles. She sends the thimbles that slip on the upper hand finger so you are pushing the needle through with the side of the thimble.

Amending my earlier post.....found the black leather thimble didn't work out after all (for me). On two accounts....it tended to come off whenever I had to bring my left hand to the top and then after a few days of pricking it little black bits would end up caught in stitches on the back side. So it's now relegated to a travel kit.

Now I'm trying the white leather thimble that has elastic on one side and find it stays on MUCH better. And if little bits of it get caught on the back they won't show, at least as long as the backing is a light color.

That is one thing I never had trouble with. I did learn to quilt from my mother when I was a child. I slope the needle in and feel it with my finger and guide it, I wear a leather thimble on my top hand.

All are very good suggestions. When my finger gets sore before the caluse develops again, I use a small piece of athletic tape. It is the white kind and sticks pretty well and inexpensive. I just cut a small square to fit on the tip of my finger.

Find out what works for you.

what she said - exactly.

ETA - when you do get a callous built up, when you do the dishes it will get soft and you may be tempted to scrape it off . DON'T DO IT!! your skin underneath will be extra tender the next time you quilt.