Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
what advice would you give a new hand quilter >

what advice would you give a new hand quilter

what advice would you give a new hand quilter

Old 02-22-2010, 01:45 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Eagan,Minn.
Posts: 24
Default

I am about ready with my top, & what in your opinion, is what I should look out for., what tool would you not give up? I am nervous with this, but I really want to give a try.
thankyou for any advice you pass on to me.
sandyk is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 01:52 PM
  #2  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Default

This is the hoop I prefer for hand quilting:
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...APTOP-HOOP.htm
It is easy to adjust to any angle and it leaves both hands free for quilting.

If you use a hoop, don't make the beginner's mistake of hooping the quilt drum tight. You want about a fist's width of "give" to allow you to manipulate the quilt along with the needle.
Prism99 is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 01:53 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
stichinluvr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Western Kansas
Posts: 2,240
Default

You'll need a thinble or finger pad or something. I always wear through the pads and leather thinbles. I love my clover, open top thimble. It is adjustable and very comfortable. You'll need hand quilting thread. If you use glazed cotton thread, it can also be used on the machine. The one item I couldn't be without is a hemostat. These are what the doctors use when sewing you up. I think I saw them at JoAnn's. Mine actually came from a nurse. There is also a scissor site that sells different sizes. They make pulling your needle through the fabric with several stitches much easier. They have little ridges to grasp the needle.
stichinluvr is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 01:57 PM
  #4  
Super Member
 
sewcrafty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 3,877
Default

A good thimble!! :lol: :lol: There's a leather one that I really like and for the life of me I can't think of its name! :oops: But if you have fingernails, there's an opening for it. There are these plastic ovals that stick to your finger (watch out though, the more stitches you take on your needle the harder it is to push through and I've put the head of the needle through the plastic and into my finger!) or there's a little leather round dot that sticks on your finger that I do like a lot. Good luck and have fun!!
sewcrafty is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 02:48 PM
  #5  
Super Member
 
Marjpf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Greater Los Angeles Area
Posts: 1,903
Default

I agree - a good thimble is necessary - otherwise you end up with the huge callous like I have!
Marjpf is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 02:52 PM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Default

First i would say "Good Luck with that"! LOL! I can't hand stitch..my hands just won't co-operate!
then i will add:


if you don't already own a thimble, i can send you a couple maybe, i think i know where they are..better to try than to buy and not use them!
watterstide is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 05:30 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
lfw045's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Hopewell, VA (for the moment anyway)
Posts: 1,692
Default

Yep a good thimble and definitely a finger cot on your thumb for needle control and pulling through difficult stitches.....at least that is what I use.
lfw045 is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 07:14 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
quilter rkc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Texas
Posts: 171
Default

I use a leather thimble on my finger but am not familiar with a finger cot for my thumb. Can you explain? Thanks
quilter rkc is offline  
Old 02-22-2010, 08:31 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
shaverg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 1,981
Default

These are some of the things I use. I love the thimble with the brass cap, seems to really hold the needle, It is the first thimble I bought 27 years ago. I also like piecemaker betweens and colonial needles. I use and 10 or 11. I also love my oval hoop, it is between 18 and twenty inches. I also use a flexible clear tape by nexcare for my finger underneath you can buy it at the drug store, I put a couple of layers on. I have to feel th needle when it comes through the back.

The main thing is enjoy and don't get discouraged when you first start. It takes a little time to get a rhythm.

The following site have some of the things I use.

http://jeansimpressions.com/more.html
shaverg is offline  
Old 02-23-2010, 03:28 AM
  #10  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 166
Default

Good for you, I hope you enjoy the experience. You might want to make a practice sandwich, draw a little pattern on it, put it in a hoop, and take a few practice stitches. Once you get comfortable and stitch the way you feel good about, go to the quilt. Good luck. Pam
Pam in WV is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Quilt angel
Main
67
10-28-2015 03:32 PM
sdhaevrsi
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
26
10-28-2014 08:09 PM
quiltingmimipj
Main
62
10-28-2011 02:54 PM
Phannie1
Main
165
08-19-2011 08:14 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter