Back to basics, needles and thimbles
02-20-2012, 08:05 AM
#32
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02-20-2012, 08:16 AM
#33
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I'm long time handquilter, too. I find that not everything works the same every day. Some days I change thimbles several times until I get comfortable with one. Also, change needles to suit me. One thing I would not do is rough up needles with emery cloth. A rough needle will be even more difficult to push through the layers. Hang in there, you'll find something you are comfortable with.
Just to explain, normally I wouldn't take an emery cloth to a needle, but the one thing I've noticed about warm and natural batting is that the needle can get stuck in it while traveling to another quilting location. At one point, between a seam and the batting, I got it really stuck. I pushed the point too hard with my thimble causing a little nib on the needle point. I'm pretty frugal, and didn't want to waste a needle, not to mention the thread, so I simply sanded off the nub with the emery cloth. I poked it several times into the little strawberry part of my pin cushion, which made it nice and sharp, so I kept on using it. I know this is not a normal practice, but it did the trick. I noticed the shank of the needle was a little rougher too, which made it a little easier to pull too.
02-20-2012, 08:19 AM
#34
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I didn't have sucess with the large eyed needles. I quilt with Clover betweens size 10...use a needle threader if you need to. I graduated years ago from the leather thimble (after a few pokes) to a metal one, I prefer John James. Everyone has their ideas, just try different ones until you are happy!!!! Keep stitchin'!!!!!
02-20-2012, 08:21 AM
#35
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I use the Roxanne #9 Between needles from Keepsake Quilting. I have been quilting for over 4 years, tried many needles, but these are the best.......I have 3-4 stitches on the needle each time. Works for me really well.....Also if I need to pull the needle with something which is very seldom, I have the little blue "needle pullers" from Joann's. I think you get 3-5 in a pack. Some great suggestions on the board. Maybe one of them will help you.
Happy Quilting.
Happy Quilting.
02-20-2012, 08:27 AM
#37
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Just want to mention that Warm and Natural is not the best batting for hand quilting. It is needlepunched through scrim, and the scrim adds an extra layer for the needle to push through. A batting such as Hobbs 80/20 would be much easier to hand needle.
02-20-2012, 08:33 AM
#38
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You've already gotten some great advice here but I'll piggyback on a couple. I, too, use Roxanne needles usually #11 or #12. You definitely need the Roxanne threaders if you're going to use the #12's as other wired needle threaders are too thick to get through the eye. I will bend one every once in a while but not too often. I agree that the issue seems to be the large eye needle. I hated those things! I also use a (now) metal ThimbleLady thimble on my pushing (middle) finger. They have much deeper dimples than most thimbles and the open end makes them, for me, quite comfortable to wear. I would destroy the leather thimbles doing cross-stitch so can you imagine quilting???? ThimbleLady has plastic versions and a very good measuring explanation if you want to try them. I started with that to see if I liked them. Then upgraded to the stainless steel version. Still quite affordable compared to some. Hoop/frame tension might be an issue for you as well. Looser equals better. I use the rubber finger tips found in office supply stores on my index finger for pulling. This way I'm not stopping to pick up/put down all the time. It does help quite a bit but occassionally still need to use needle nose pliers. They are a godsend.
I continue to learn as I go, and already learned about hoop tension. I admit I do have concerns about the leather thimbles. I'd hate to push through it into my finger. That would really hurt. I wonder if anyone has done that. Little needle pricks are one thing, but stabbing myself with force is quite another. Ouch! I also can't imagine having to stop and start with a needle-pulling device, though there are times that would really help.
02-20-2012, 08:34 AM
#39
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02-20-2012, 08:36 AM
#40
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Love your name Quilt-Till-U-Wilt...I actually bought some bees wax--actually when I bought these rotten needles. ;-) Looks like a trip to Staples for me. I need rubber fingers.
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