The reason your fingers are sore is because the needle keeps slipping through them when you are trying to pull it through the fabric...

So I wear a "finger cot" on the index finger of my sewing hand. I buy them at the hospital I work at, but you could probably find them at your local drug store. If you can't...you can buy a box of medical gloves in a small size at the drugstore and then cut off one finger and slip it on your index finger.

They do wear out and get holes in them, so you just keep replacing them as needed.

Also...stick your needle into a bar of soap to lubricate it. It will slide through the sandwich easier then!

If your underneath finger gets sore from being stuck so many times, you can take a piece of electrical tape and put it over the end of your finger to protect it. You'll still "feel" the needle, but it won't stick you.

Hope these ideas help you! :)

i have a round rubber disk thingy that i bought at joann's to pull my needles thru if i need help. Some women in one of the quilting groups use pieces of rubber band that comes around the bunches of broccoli! Suppose you could also cut up a thick rubber band, too.

I use poly batting. When the needle slips I reach for a small piece of rubber shelf lining - the non-slip stuff - and grab the needle with it. Works great. It helps open jars too.

So many wonderful hints and suggestions. You are all a great group of folks. Everyone is so willing to help.

You are all appreciated by this quilter that's for sure.

chris

Hi Chris - I just took a hand quilting class yesterday. My instructor has been HQ for 30yrs. She will not hand quilt with warm and natural for that very reason. W&N is very dense. I got to stitch on many different types and I loved the wool batting (has a high loft). there is another called Thermore, very nice low loft. Poly is easy to quilt through, another high loft. Then another with lower loft was Hobbs 80/20 Heirloom, which happened to be her favorite - this was a medium loft. hope this helps. Suebee

Have you tried the twin pointed needles? You can quilt with any batting or fabric with them.

Twin needle for hand quilting? I dont think I have ever seen them? is this a specialty?

I use Quilter's Dream low loft poly for hand quilting. It drapes well and isn't too warm. (I live in Florida). I use warm and natural for machine quilting. But basically I don't like its texture.

Do a search on here. We have discussed them before and I posted pictures then. They make them for needlework and for quilting. I first saw them at a Quaker demo. You can buy them on line.

I think the twin pointed needles are used for stab stitching - you don't have to turn the needle underneath the quilt when you use this method.