I am fairly new to hand quilting and have read that many women can quilt in all directions without turning the project. Do you use different thimbles, use them on different fingers or how do you do that?

I have 2 Roxanne thimbles and somewhere I saw a picture of a thimble that goes on your thumb which looked interesting but I can't seem to find one.

Any thimble help will be greatly appreciated

Wish I could help you; but I have never been able to wear a thimble. I just need to feel what I am doing.

I use the ted storm thumb timble together with a Roxanne.
New to handquilting I figured I might learn from the beginning to quilt in different directions as it is a drag to turn a huge quilt even on a floor stand hoop.
My stitching is far from perfect but I keep practising
Granny

I use a tailor's thimble on my thumb. That lets me quilt away from myself. I also use a Roxanne thimble to quilt towards myself.

I bought my tailor's thimble at a quilt show, but you can get them online at the Pacific Rim Quilt Company. I've never done business with them, but bookmarked them in case my cat steals my thimble.

http://www.prqc.com

I've also read that some quilters use their thumbnail to quilt away from themselves.

Hope this helps!

I learned to use a thimble years ago, now I can't sew a stitch without one on. I have several favorites that I use. The other day I was sewing and had to run an errand. Thirty minutes into my errand I realized I still had my thimble on.

You will buy all kinds of thimbles, and it is whatever is comfortable for you. I use the jelly thimbles and I do
use it on my thumb to be able to go bottom up, and
middle finger I use for going down or across. But you
will find your own comfort way of doing it.

Same here. I have tried and tried to use a thimble with no success.

I have a Roxanne which I love but still have not mastered it. I tend to flip my needles if I'm not careful where I place the needle... should be on the pad of my finger not under the lip edge (for me, don't know about others). I also have the deeply recessed thimble that Jean Brown uses and that is the one I generally go back to. I can't seem to use my thumb, although the Roxanne is supposed to be good for that, too. I alternate between using my middle finger or the first finger. First finger works good for going up a quilt and around curves.

But everyone is different.

A Roxanne thimble has been on my wish list for a long time! Hope they are as wonderful as they look!

The only thimble that has ever worked for me is the leather one. But it works great for me so I'm happy !

Just make sure you get fitted properly. they are a bummer if they don't fit.

I mean the Roxanne... not the leather ones. I think my post went out slow.

Thanks Melody. I've been reluctant to order online because of the fitting issue. Think I'll hold out for a 'live' person!

I use Thimblelady's cone thimble for my finger. She also sells thumb thimbles (they look pretty expensive to me). I haven't tried her thumb ones.
http://www.thimblelady.com.au/catego...ools/Thimbles/

I tend to hand quilt in a hoop, so I don't need to quilt in different directions - I just turn the hoop.

I'd be really interested to know what you decide to do - please keep us updated.

I've done this also ;)

I quilt toward myself. I don't know what to tell you about thimbles except find one that fits. I spent a year looking for a thimble until I found one that fit. I found it at a consignment store, not at the LQS or at the fabric stores. Until I found it I could only quilt one stitch at a time.

I struggle so with thimbles too. I don't use one very well- I guess being self taught might not be such a good thing in this case as I've probably never learned to use one properly. Good luck! I keep trying them on!

I have tried the leather thimble with the metal disc and was super frustrated and in February I bit the bullet and bought a metal thimble that has an opening over my nail so my finger can breathe. It was pricey..about $50.00, but I love it and can't imagine hand quilting without it. My biggest problem with hand quilting is my "receiving fingers" that are very calloused and have little prick holes in them. Also the side of my thumb on the push hand has a big callous on it. I love hand quilting and always have to have a project ready for hand work.

Me too.......just can't seem to work with a thimble.

The first quilt that I quilted, which was about 5 years ago, was done one stitch at a time and it was a learning experience. Then I found a friend/neighbor who handquilts and I asked her about thimbles. I was impressed with the number of stitches she could get on a needle! So I started trying a number of different types.... got a drawer full, and most of them never leave the drawer now. I have the 2 favorites that I mentioned earlier (Roxanne and the deeply recessed thimble put out by Colonial) and also I forgot, I used the Clover thimble that looks like Roxanne's but is MUCH cheaper. Now I am able to get more stitches on my needle and keep moving right along. It's very enjoyable. But that said, everybody is different.

I don't hand quilt, but I do hand sew, and use an antique thimble. I found one that fits on the middle finger of my right hand. It's very comfortable, probably because it's old and worn smooth on the inside.

I have a Thumble, but I can hardly quilt with it. I use a needle gripper. It is simply a piece of rubber ( remember the jar opener called a Round To It?) and it works great for me. I don't have a lot of grip on my fingers, due to diabetes, and was happy to find something that works for me. Keep trying.

Christine, where did you get your open thimble? Did you buy online, and if so, how did you know what size?

Oh, I'd love to know how you like the Thimblelady products. It looks like a great idea and it's a tough call between her thimble and the Roxanne one.

But I've never seen either one in person or even known someone who uses them. I'd be grateful for any information.

Also regarding Thimblelady, did you need to purchase additional guidelines to use the thimble appropriately? Are the instructions clear and simple to follow?

Thanks so much!

Before I mention the Thimblelady thimbles, just thought I'd let you know that Roxanne's are not available (or I have not seen them) in this part of the world. Roxanne's may be very similar to Thimblelady's - I'm not sure about that.

I had always drooled over the Thimblelady thimbles. Maybe it was the idea of getting perfect little stitches, hmmm I don't know. Anyway, my circumstances changed and the cost of these thimbles was well out of my price range.

A few years passed; still drooling over them, and watching you-tube videos that I found, then a lady in one of my craft groups came along with a plastic cone Thimblelady thimble. I asked her all the usual questions; did it fit well, how did it compare to other thimbles, did she like it, would she buy it again, etc.

She was so gracious and allowed me to borrow her thimble for a couple of hours. Yes - they are that treasured that you would never want them to leave your sight :) Her size fit mine - that was lucky.

Well I thought it was a good thimble, I wouldn't say great or fantastic, but pretty good. More time passed, and I happened to be looking online where I found a stainless steel one for sale. What a blessing - I was the only bidder and got it for a really good price.

I've been using it for about 2 or 3 years now - and my estimation of it has gone up. It fits well, it is better than all my previous thimbles, I really like it, and I would buy it again - in fact I did - I bought a new sterling silver one for my birthday a couple of years ago (too naughty). I feel like I have more control with the Thimblelady thimbles, both from the depth of the dimples, and the dimples being further down the finger - giving you more pushing power (without the pain).

I would recommend trying the plastic version - then if you thought that was okay, then I would move to the stainless steel version. The silver seems to be a softer metal.

I have never bought the additional resources (e.g. the book or DVD). I watched a few you-tube videos, and pretty much got the gist from there. I think the cost of her products overall is pretty expensive - and I didn't want to buy a book when there was only a few subtle changes required to my existing hand quilting style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOP4bUTyrfE
There were also some Simply Quilts videos too... but I can't find them right now. (Hit my broadband limit for the month - so down to dial up speed).

I hope that helps.

I would recommend trying the plastic version - then if you thought that was okay, then I would move to the stainless steel version. ....................
I have never bought the additional resources ................
I hope that helps.[/quote]

KiwiQuilter, thanks for your very helpful response. I very much appreciate it. I think I will order one of the plastic thimbles. Yes, they do seem expensive in comparison to some other thimbles, but if they are good well made and above all useful I suppose the extra expense is worth it.
Thanks again for going to the trouble of writing such a good and complete review!

Glad my review was helpful. If you have any other questions, just PM me and I'll help you out.

I was thinking about showing a photo - but I don't think that would be very helpful to you. I use a size M (medium) - but since you can't see my finger that's not going to be much help either :(

Definitely shop around - if I recall there are places in the US and Canada that sell these thimbles.

My thoughts on these thimbles (the 2 I have) are that they will be my thimbles for life. Okay, maybe not life, but maybe the next 20 years. I hand quilt exclusively and while working full time I manage to complete 1 queen size quilt a year.

Thanks again. I've been to ThimbleLady's website and I was wondering if the plastic ones hold up well.
I've also made a trip to your website/blog and may I say your work is stunning! Constellation Traveller is magnificent. The quilting is exquisite.
How is that foot getting on? Are you back to health?
Take care and thanks again, Big Quilty Hugs to You

I got it my thimble at a Millhouse quilts in Wannakee, Wisconsin. I have seen many of them at quilt shows that they can form fit to your finger.

so far the only one I can wear is a leather one that covers my whole finger - and I have tried them all. I don't do much hand sewing so it isn't really a huge dea.

Japanese thimbles are the ones that I find easiest. They go on like rings and can be in metal or leather(with a plastic back). Sashiko thimbles are good for pushing with your palm.

i make my own thimbles out of left over leather from my buck skin dress. that way i get what i want or need. they work so nicely

Thanks for info on jelly thimbles. I've seen them at the quilt store, but never tried one.

When I was able to hand quilt I used a leather thimble on ether the middle or ring finger,also used my very strong thumb nails.
I was blessed with being able to quilt with ether hand.I did find that I needed to reinforce the pad on the leather thimbles as they ware thin quickly.But the correct thimble is the one that works best for you. :thumbup: :thumbup:

You may seem like an odd analogy, but finding and getting fitted for a thimble that works for you is JUST like the process of finding a bra that fits. Almost no one is fortunate to be able to go into a store, pick one off the rack and have it fit the first time. (And if they are, they're keeping as quiet as the women who had no symptoms when menopause hit.) I have several types of thimbles, which I use for different things; and after many years of frustration buying bras, I am now making my own.... and am very happy!

Same here. I just can't for the life of me use a thinble. My Mother never sewed without one when she was living. I have tried but just can't use one. Good luck. Glad someone is going to begin quilting and doing hand quilting at that. Don't give up dear.

Haven't used a thimble in quite some time> I had trouble with them right from the start and could never get used to them and I have several varieties that I tried. I end up using the old stick the finger and thumb technique.

I have stubbed off fingers (thank you dad!) so I use a leather thimble. NONE of the others (and I did try lots of them), fit my fingers. I use it for any hand sewing I do.

"I've also read that some quilters use their thumbnail to quilt away from themselves."

i can't use a thimble which ever finger it is on i will use the next finger, my thumbnail works very well

I had never used a thimble until I took a beginner quilting class and the instructer urged us to learn to use them. So I now use a thimble with an indented top that has a bit of a ridge around it.