I don't have any problems marking after the quilt has been basted with a low loft batting. Very often I do needlemarking and for that marking method it is better when the quilt is already basted. I thread baste, don't like safety pins because the quilting thread always tangles around them...

I am also a thumbnail quilter, I do not use thimbles of any kind. I have a very strong thumbnail and I quilt away from myself so turn the hoop often. For curves I go a little slower and take only one or two stitches at a time. I am in no hurry as hand quilting is my most favoured part of quilting.I tried all the thimbles and finger protectors etc but found it was like swimming fully dressed, I just had to work with my bare hands. I very seldom prick my finger, only once in a blue moon now.

Gal

OK, another question, anybody ever have problems with your needle bending? Are there better quality needles I should be using? I was using a sharp last night & ended up bending my needle. Wasn't even quilting that long.

I am SO enjoying getting back to hand quilting. :)

Make sure your quilt isn't too tight in the hoop - that can cause bent needles. It is possible to get a pack of defective needles.

I use quilting betweens - I started with a size 9, which feels really long now, and worked my way down to using a size 11. I think betweens are a little stronger than sharps. I like Richard Hemmings and John James, but I always try new ones just in case I find a new favorite.

Janet

I totally agree with Janet about too tight in the hoop can cause bent needles. I was having a terrible time as well with bending needles. Then I discovered Roxanne needles and love, love, love them! I use #11 between of Roxanne brand. The Roxanne needles seem a bit heavier and they have a larger eye, although I still need my magnifying glass that is attached to my Ott lamp in order to thread them. They also stay nice and sharp. It takes me a really long time to bend Roxanne needles and it is usually because I am trying to load to many stitches on it going through a curve.

I second what Janet and Feline said - the more pressure you have to put on the needle the more you bend it. In the beginning of my "quilting career" ;-) I often used John James Betweens #12 or Richard Hemmings #12 and after a short time of using they were bent and out of shape although my quilt wasn't very tight in the hoop. I tried the #11 of JJ and it was much better.
I also found out that sharp needles are not as sharp and pointed as betweens, therefore they don't go through the layers of the quilt so easy.

I took a great hand quilting class years ago and the teacher had us using two thimbles. I had always used one and the callouses on the other hand were awful. She told me to wear them around the house daily so I could get use to them and when I first did it it was clumsy. That is the only way I hand quilt now when my arthritis isn't working up. Do mostly machine quilting on smaller quilts and the large ones go out to a very good friend who does an exceptional job.

i use a leather thimble w/ a "coin" in the middle of the finger. i like leather thimbles because i can still "feel", but got frustrated w/ the needle always wearing thru too quickly.

Haven't tried the dot thingys that go on your finger tip...maybe soon!

I use a thimble on my middle finger only - for pushing needle through. When I first started quilting I read everywhere that the quilt needs to be tight, well don't listen to that. I bent so many needles that way. I quilt is loose and the betweens have not bended as quickly. They do bend after a while just from using it for a long time. I mark as I go most of the time and I do not have a problem with that - I thread baste. As for the Aunt Becky tool - I have not been able to use it either. I need to feel the needle underneath the quilt - otherwise I can not catch the backing in the stitch. On curves I only take 1 or 2 stitches at a time. and I move my hoop around as I go. I only do 3 stitches at a time anyway. BTW, your quilting looks really good to me...