If you are looking to protect your fingers, use a piece of adhesive tape on them in place of a thimble. That's what the ladies I grew up around used. I still do-works better than a thimble for me.

When I hand quilt, I have a few days of pin pricks, but then I get a sort of callous and it doesn't hurt as much. :)

my fingers never callous, they just get pricked more. just finished the 3/4" hex
and started this the next day.

question on the alcohol. do I use rum or vodka??????

Whatever is the cheapest that you only keep on hand in case company comes.

I too use the new skin liquid bandage. When hand quilting, I put it on my fingers before starting.

[QUOTE=lynnie;720173
question on the alcohol. do I use rum or vodka??????[/QUOTE]
Vodka. That way you can pass off the "I use it instead of Best Press" and get away with it...

This may sound a little crazy..but there is a cream called Udder Balm..it was for cows to begin with for sore..chapped udders..but people found out how well it works ..so u can buy it most places..anyway u can around here..after I am done sewing hexes I use it..takes the soreness away..it also take the burn out burns..

I just love these little thing use them lots . Cathy

I use "udderly smooth", which is another cow's udder cream. I only tend to use it at night, but it definitely helps my poor finger to heal faster!

If I'm having a really bad day and am poking my finger more than I'd like then I use the " new skin" liquid plaster. It does help to protect it, but with every prick it starts getting loose, so I don't always use it, as it can be a bit of a pain to use!

I haven't done my hexies for a little while so my finger is looking all fresh again, but I know that it's going to go straight back to its horrible state as soon as I start up again!

I was always told to suck the blood out of the pin prick and it would not hurt. I know it sounds sort of gross, but it works. No, it is not enough blood to turn you into a Vampire!