Have you ever quilted so much that your fingers got sore? I mean actually split and bleed? Yeah, seriously. I plan to hand-quilt 5 quilts in a relatively short time, and I did almost a whole one this weekend. My index finger on my right hand is actually split. owwwie. Does anyone use one of those leather thimbles? Do they work?

I can't help with the thimble question.. I do use thimbles... but how I wish we were closer so I could watch you work!! I feel that I need to watch an experienced quilter at work!

sigh...

will be watching the responses... Hope your fingers heal quickly!!

The leather thimbles work very well. Try and pace yourself and take care of those fingers. I have a friend who uses a product called New Skin when she does this type of injury and always uses a thimble. Take care.

I hand quilt and use a leather thimble some of the time. I'm trying to get my fingers calloused up by not using a thimble. I'm like you, I can only quilt so long before my fingers are bleeding. I've also used a leather thimble with the metal mesh coin inserted. It took me awhile to get used to this, but I do like it. Good luck getting all your quilts done so fast.

I LOVE your Avatar pic! Did you do it?

I'm not actually good at it, but I like to do it, so I do it and the quilts are going to be for my sisters, so they won't mind if they are not good. No quilt police here. I use a metal thimble on my "pushing" finger, but on my needle-gripping finger, I don't, and that's the one that's split now.

Thanks, yes, that's a Queen size whole cloth that I did by hand. My first whole cloth.

Hand quilting does cause sore fingers. Yes usually more than 1.
I have had them split and bleed too.

I use the leather thimble when I tie my quilts and it definitely does work. I buy when the 50% off coupons are out at Joann's.

I have a friend that uses little patches that stick to your fingers like a band aid I do not know what they are called but you can get them at LQS and at Joann's, she puts them on her push finger and her needle finger she really likes them.

Try using Bag Balm on your hands at night with cotton gloves on them so that the balm doesn't get on everything else. It heals the cracks and helps with the pain.

You can buy Thimble-It at quilt shops. They are clear and quite heavy duty and stick to your fingers. They are better than the ones that look like bandaids and you can even reposition them.

I used to use Thimble-Its but found that using liquid bandage or super glue works better. I apply a thin layer, let it dry well, then another layer. When I start feeling the needle or pain, I know it is time to give it up for the night. Both will peel off very easily.

I like this idea.

I love the little leather dots.

Bless you. That hurts.

I just purchased these little patches at a local quilt show. I used them this weekend for some hand sewing and they made a huge difference. I loved them.

I use finger cots on my needle pulling fingers when I quilt. They help grip the needle too.

Try using a latex finger cot or the cut off finger from latex or nitrile gloves. Those give you more grip, so you don't have to squeeze so hard and you minimize injuries to your fingers.

If you have long fingernails or tend to get an unpleasant sweaty feeling under the fingertip protector, it's easy to use a small sharp pair of scissors to cut a small hole centred over your fingernail. That gives your fingernail room and also keeps your fingertip from getting sweaty.

I have always used the rubber fingers on my index finger to pull the needle thru. I get them at Staples in a box of like a dozen. They have holes in the back side so your finger doesn't sweat, it doesn't bother my longer nails and I just leave it on all the time. Not like those little pieces of rubber that you have to keep looking for and picking up all the time. I used to use a fat rubber band, like came on broccoli but this rubber finger is so much easier.

Hope your finger feels better. Can't imagine quilting with split fingers. A tiny crack on the side is bad enough.

I use the little leather pads that they sell at shops...I can't use a thimble...have tried and have a bag full LOL

Sorry to hear about the fingers. :)

Try using a rubber fingertip - like the kind they use for counting money - on your gripper finger. Works a charm for me. I get them by the box from the office supply store; far cheaper than at the quilt shop. I also use small needle-nosed pliers for those needles that just won't pull through. The only fingers that I destroy are my 'under' fingers. Eventually they just callous over so it's not too bad. Keep up the good work.

cool ideas, thanks. Rubber fingers I use at work occasionally. I'll try that first since I'm used to having those on, and won't be anything to get used to. Thanks for the suggestions. Although I'm at the border on this quilt, I think I'll work on a different one for a couple of nights (dye sticks and fabric markers) and give my poor fingers a few days to get better. I find that quilts and blood do not go well together. Work today - (job) on the computer - is not pleasant. ugh!

I used a leather thimble that had a metal tip. It helped when I hand quilted a king size quilt. The bag balm does work wonders!

I use leather thimbles. Can't use the others.

I use both a Roxanne thimble and the leather thimbles with the coins and the dots. I also use a finger cot on my needling finger. You get them at walgreens and walmart or staples. it keeps the needle from sliding on the skin. Love that you hand quilt, I do as much as my achinbg hands can do. Pace yourself. Flex your fingers. I also founs=d a product called Crack it I think it is for the annoying cracked fingers. It stings when put on at night but it works. Good Luck

As for the splitting try putting Vicks vapor rub on them every night very thick with plastic gloves! My hands/feet would split and bleed! hurt like the devil! this works!! and has cured it!!!

I use a leather thimble and I love it. I'm always amazed that they feel so good, and seem to last so long. I started using the leather thimble for embroidery and am now using it to hand quilt. But I haven't been hand quilting for very long. The metal thimbles are not designed for my shape of finger! They are very uncomfortable to me. But I have ordered a 'tower thimble' from the ThimbleLady and her book to see if I can learn to quilt smaller stitches and a little bit quicker.

Boy, I know I have!!! And I end up making a hole. Then get the needle in that hole contantly!!!! OUCH!!!!!

I'm currently hand quilting my daughters quilt and I use the leather with the coin insert. It seems to help me I can go go for hours I have callouses building up on the others but the thimble works for me and not distracting or uncomfortable. Hope that helps!

I use this too. Only I use a metal thimble on my push finger (you just have to get used to it / Now I can't sew at all without a thimble) Its my *Under the quilt* finger that gets pricks and bleeds.! Then I use a band aid ( a spot), or stop for a while.

Oh! I just remembered!

I use Miracle of Aloe Miracle of Foot Repair cream on my hands (or anywhere else) that is cracked or chapped. It's a very heavy duty moisturiser with a light peppermint scent and it always does the trick for me. As I get older, my skin is getting thinner and more easily damaged (I always did have thin skin, so this is getting really bad). If my skin dries out, then I really have problems. Miracle of Aloe to the rescue!

Just wondering where you found this product? LQS or hardware store or online....? Sounds like something I would be interested in.

Ditto. ALso I am a handquilter and I sew hours a day so I use good bandaids on my main fingers. I did not learn to sew with thimbles so don't like them much. Works for me. And yes,,,,fingers are still sensitive from a lot of quilting, no cuts or bleeding though.