I have several little blue rubber disks about the size of a quarter. They help get the needle through the fabric when it is tough going. BUT I am getting tired of picking them up and putting them down every few stitiches.

Is there something else.........something I could put on my fingers?

Yes! finger cots like are used in offices to sort papers. I think you can get them at Office Max or Staples, etc. Mine were given to me. They work great.

Finger cots work wonderfully! That's what I use.

Are they very thick? I worked in offices and I used something to get through the paperwork, but they were a bit on the stiff side......

there are also tools out there to pull needles through.
finger cots are rubber fingers used in offices. i can't even wear a thimble, so those would not work for me.

finger cots, get the rubber one not the gel. You can get a whole box of the rubber finger cots for less than $3. One gel can cost from $6-9 dollars.

The ones I have are very flexible.

Can you tell me the brand name and where you got them?

Every time someone has staples removed (Dr. office) I ask for the tool they use to remove them. They throw it away after one use. It works great to pull the needle through as well as remove fish hooks from the body. Every tackle box usually has one!

I use a type of finger cot but I don't think that it's the kind that they use in an office. I think I got them in the bandaid isle. They are about the thickness of balloon rubber and they fit nice and snug on your finger.

Another thing that I've used is the fat elastic that is used to hold broccoli heads together. I can't remember why I used them (menopause brain fog :roll: ) but if you have a tough needle to pull through fabric, these work really well.

I don't know a brand name.

Mine are Swingline, the same brand as the old manual pencil sharpeners. The box is white and red.

I bought a box of disposable gloves from a hardware store and cut the fingers out of them to use on my index finger. Works great. I have also used tape from an auto parts store to mark a grid line. It's original use is to mark off trim on a car to be painted. It does not leave a residue on the car paint or on my fabric. Probably a lot cheaper than marking tape at a quiilt shop. I know the disposable gloves are economical as one finger lasts a long time. Any disposable glove would work as long as the fingers are form fitting.

I have also bought the ones at the quilt stores, they wear out quickly and are really tight around my finger.

I use rubber gloves and cut off the fingers too. It works like a charm and is so inexpensive.

Have you tried a leather thimble? I like the one I have for sewing, but not for doing the actual quilting.

I, too, buy the rubber gloves and cut off the fingers. I only need one or two fingers at a time, and the set of gloves has ten! What a bargain!

Oh I have a thimble. This is something that I was hoping would make pulling the needle through the fabric easier without having to pick something up each time.

I, too, use the rubber gloves. I just cut off about an inch and when they wear out I cut off another inch. I pair lasts a long time. I buy a smaller size than I would if I were going to use them for cleaning. They're light weight and comfortable.

I simply cut the fingers off a pair of rubber gloves use those. No problems at all.

Another hint: go to the variety store or hardware store and get a small pair of pliers (jewelry pliers work also). These work extremely well.

Lucille

I purchased a pair of hemostats at a flea market. They are the metal scissorlike tool that they use to sew stitches durring surgery. They grip the needle wonderfully. Sometimes I get greedy and put to many stitches on my needle when quilting. The hemostat can pull it right through. I think they were about $5.

Hemostats work wonderfully well for needle pullers also. I also have several different sizes. I use them for turning tubes, and for applique. I have seen a technique for creating several appliques, turned and ready to fasten down to fabric and the hemostats are great for turning your pieces.

Lucille

One trip to the Dollar Store will get you nearly a lifetime supply of "needle pullers"! I've used them for years . . . get a package of round balloons. Snip off the top 1/2" to 5/8" and slip the remaining part over your finger(s).

Not only functional, fit like a second skin, they're cheap and colorful besides. I've tried all the others and find these best - perhaps because I've got the enlarged "nodules" on my fingers because of arthritis.

Actually, I get a few cut and ready and store them in a small container with a sprinkle of baby powder. You'll love 'em.

That's what I do too. I just use the cheap disposable glove finger tips.

Finger cots----we always called them "finger rubbers"...you can purchase them in the band aid isle of most any store...Walmart, K-mart, RiteAid etc.

Actually I was hoping to avoid picking up and putting down, the way I am now. I feel I could go a bit faster if I could keep the needle in my hand the whole time. I really love hand quilting, but whenever it gets close to the seams, stuff slows down.

Jo Belmont.......that is funny. I was going to post about wearing a balloon, but thought people would send out the guys in the white coats! Glad you mentioned it. I does work like a charm. I use the long skinny ones, and usually have to blow the balloon up and leave it for an hour or so before using, or it is too tight. I just roll it on my finger. Also use the talc. Once it's on, I forget its there. My neighbor came calling the other day and asked what happened to my "orange" finger! I have tried the thin cots sold in the bandade department, but find them a bit sloppy and am forever tugging them back on. Have used balloon's for years!

Add that to "wonderful solutions"thank you :thumbup:

I use finger cots but turn them inside out so the nubby part is next to my finger. It works great.

I take a paper punch and punch a hole in the round rubber needle puller and then thread the disk on a 1/4" wide ribbon in a length that is long enough to go over my head easy and long enough to be close to my work....it is always handy and a lot easier to keep up with especially when quilting on the go. This works for me.

I buy my finger cots at the quilt store. Brand name is FINGER GLOVES They are thinner and and not as bulky. They have 12 6 large and 6 medium.

I use scissor type eyebrow tweezers, they have ridged

grips on the tips and work well for me. I have also

used the wide rubber from broccoli cut about 2", in

length, easy to pick up and hold, plus it's free, if you

like broccoli. lol

Hi Boston,

I have this little tool which you keep on your finger the whole time you're sewing and when you get to a tough bit, the needle pokes through the hole and you push the plunger to grasp it then pull through. I can't get on with it at all, so if you think it could be useful to you, PM me your address and I'll send it over. :-D

Thank you for that lovely offer, and for taking the time to show a picture of the item. Someone else had mentioned something called finger gloves. I believe I am leaning in that direction. I do appreciate the thought.

You're welcome! x

yes, and dear sister if you come over, I can give you some.

I have used most of the ideas listed above. The thin finger cots would lose their grip too soon, maybe using Thread heaven caused that. The nubby finger cots like the ones in stationary stores didn't seem to grip well either. My favorite is a small finger cot by Bohin it is thicker than the balloon type, but not as thick as the nubby ones, and it has a few tiny holes cut out of it for air circulation, and a perforated spot for your fingernail, if needed. The only problem with it is I use a large and I don't consider my fingers all that large. I normally use a small/medium thimble. So someone with truely large fingers, probably wouldn't fit into this. I think this is the largest size they make. But for me this is the best.

get a small pair of pliers (the kind they use making jewelry) at the craft store.