Hello... I'm trying to learn to hand quilt. I purchased a thimble but I don't think it works very well. I'm looking for one that has a 'lip' around the tip so the needle won't slide off. Can someone tell me where to find one like this? And do the small leather thimbles work well? I had a leather the fit my whole finger and it was too bulky. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

I have a hard time getting the right fit too. I hate the leather ones. I am using one of these right now and it's not too bad. They seem to run a little bigger then the metal ones.

http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Ta...roductID=14988

I love the leather ones, I like the clover soft leather one.

Thank you all so much for the links/info. I will most certainly take a look and find something.
One more question about hand quilting... in relationship to the tip of the needle, where do you have your finger on the underneath part of the quilt? I'm having a hard time getting the tip of the needle to come back thru to the top. I think I'm supposed to 'pinch' the fabric with my thumb (top) and press us from the bottom with my index/middle finger But not getting the exact location right. It's making a large stitch and I want smaller ones. Thanks.

I use a clover soft leather one, it has a metal insert in the side to catch your needle in and to help push. It only goes to the first joint, so doesn't cover your whole finger!

The Roxanne thimble has a little lip around the tip, just like you were asking for. K3n posted a photo of hers somewhere here recently.

Here's a link. Good luck

http://www.colonialneedle.com/cgi-bi...e_list_roxanne

Just saw your second question. I use my left index finger to feel the needle, push down with my thumb and push the needle up onto the top of my thumb nail. Hope that makes sense!

I have tried that so many times and I just can't get it to come back up in the right place. Could my fabric be too tight? Let me tell you... I keep trying everything so that's why I'm thinking it's something to do with where I am holding my finger underneath. I'm one of those 'tenacious' girls... keep trying until I get it right! LOL

Once I feel the needle I push up, do not push the needle too far under the quilt , just a little.
Are you quilting in a hoop? It might be too tight if you are!
How big is the item you are quilting?

There are several hand quilters on this board, post your second question under quilting and you will get more answers. Maybe someone can explain it better than I am. The key is to get your stitches even, size doesn't matter when you first start hand quilting. 'the small stitches will come in time. I like to use a 10 or 12 needle now, but started out with size 8 years ago! Maybe you are just being too hard on your self! Relax and breath!!!

I use a raised-edge thimble that I really love. Purchased it for $7.95 at my LQS. It is made by the Colonial Needle Company. Their web site is: www.colonialneedle.com

That sounds like good advice. "Breathe"! I'm going to keep trying until I figure it out. But will do other quilting projects in between so I don't totally burn myself out on hand quilting. I'll check into that other area. I'm just learning about this site and so far I've had so much help! Thank you. Are you close to Asheboro?

I am about 20 min away from Asheboro and go there often!!! Hobby Lobby has a small selection of material, and quilting supplies! Where are you?

Good morning, ninnie... yes, I'm using a hoop. I'll try loosening up the fabric. I'm making about a 17" wall hanging. I'm trying to learn on them so I can do a lap quilt next. I'll keep checking back because I just know I can get help here! Thank you so much!

Since it is only 17", you don't even need a hoop :D I use 505 spray to put my small projects together and I don't even have to pin. Lap quilting is a great way to learn how to hand quilt. I ordered my spray from Connecting Threads, but you can get other places. It costs a little , but a can goes a long way and saves so much time. :wink: Just don't give up, it will all fall into place soon! :D

I don't use a thimble either.. never got the hang of one.. but I do sometimes use a bit of "plastic" tape on my finger where the needle rests, or where it "bumps" my finger under the project.. sometimes one layer and once in a while two.. I have also used those tiny 'nexcare' bandaids.. both stick well and are VERY flexible and keep me from being perforated...lol

Ninnie...I am in Asheboro and there's a lovely new little quilt shop that opened in March on Sunset. The Quilting Coop. I go there every Tuesday night to quilt with the ladies, and on Saturdays just to visit.

Hey Loretta... I have not tried without hoop. That sure sounds easier than fussin with where to sit the hoop on my lap. And I can do the machine basting myself. that's a good idea. Maybe I'll attempt that to see how it goes. Thanks for the suggestion!

Thanks!!! I had heard there was a quilt shop there somewhere, ask the cutting lady at Hobby Lobby, and some other lady spoke up and said , and I quote "No there isn't a quilt shop in Asheboro, I am in The Quilting Guild and I would Know!!!" :lol: :lol: :lol: DH and I cracked up! DH said well, I guess she told you!
Is sunset down town? I will definitely check it out this weekend!! Wow, that is really close for me, been going to Maryl Jo's as often as I could! So glad you are close enough to go on Tues. night!!

Sounds like your fabric may be too tight. I had the hardest time getting the needle through the quilt sandwich until I loosened the quilt in the frame.

I use these lipped thimbles. One thing I do is take a hammer and tap the edge of the thimble until it's oval shaped. It fits the finger much better. That's why I only buy these thimbles.

http://www.ezquilt.com/products/need...assthimble.htm

I have never been able to use a thimble.........but I do use a leather one when I have to, they work well for me.

Yes, ninnie... there is a quilt shop in Asheboro! :o) www.thequiltingcoop.com. Check out their website. We meet at 6 on Tuesday nights in The Hen House and work on our projects together. Maybe you'd be able to join us.

Hi bella... thanks for the link. I'm actually going to go to Joann Fabric Friday to see what they have to offer. I want to learn to use a thimble so my fingers don't get so bloody sore! I saw the one you talked about but need to find a size first. Thank you for your help!

i have found the joann,s to have a good price for thimbles to start want,s you get a better get one from the thimble lady.com thats her website , also go to you tube,com ,they have good video,s on hand quilting hope this helps

Thanks, nellie... I'm going to mostly try to figure out what size thimble I will need and if the metal or leather will work best. I'll check out that website in just a bit. It does really help. I'll go to youtube as well.

Thank you Gai - would you like to be my private secretary?! :lol:

i LOVE it and don't know how i managed all those years without it. It's so comfy I go wandering off round the house and forget I've still got it on! No sweaty finger either because of the hole. Ignore my cracked gardener's finger nail! This is the silver plate one, I should have got solid silver, maybe I'll upgrade one day - the plate is beginning to wear off inside and giving me a grey finger. :oops:

Here's the pic!

Good morning... made my trip to Greensboro yesterday and bought 6 different thimbles AND thimble pads! I got one that has an open 'face' on it and so far that has been my favorite. I'll be trying them all out as I do the hand work on the binding on my wall hanging/window covering. How can I upload photo of projects that are finshed? And another question... the little quilt shop in my town is having a fat quarter Friday on July 31. A friend in WI said she makes Turning Twenty quilts with fat quarters. I'd like to try one of those but don't have the pattern. Does anyone have one they could email to me? HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Hey Ninnie... there's a quilting bee today at the Quilting Coop, 312 Sunset; then Christmas in July on the 25th; and Fat Quarter Friday on the 31st. Just some upcoming events this month.

Awe, Judy, wish I could come!!! I'll try to catch the next one! Thanks so much for letting me know!! :D :D

I have one that I absolutely love for hand quilting. It is a leather strip with a plastic piece inside. Very comfortable, needle doesn't slip. You can get them in a pack of 3 at Joan's.

I've been doing quite a bit of hand quilting on a wall hanging. I use a raised edge thimble on my middle finger on my right hand to help push the needle through. However, my forefinger on my left hand is so sore that I thought I might have to let it heal for a few days before I could continue. And I'm SEW close to being done. I found an older thimble, nothing fancy, and used it on my left middle finger. It was a little awkward at first but I can "feel" the needle hitting the side of the thimble and NOT my finger. I quilted for several hours yesterday with no pain!!

Okay... I'll let you know about another one. Remember Tuesday nights at 6pm until ?. Hope you are having a great 4th weekend! Be safe and talk to you soon!

Thanks, sewjoyce... I'll keep that in mind when I start again on my wall hanging. Going to a quilting bee today at our little quilt shop in town. Will try two thimbles there. Have a good one! Happy 4th!