hsweany

I want to try hand quilting. I am going to attemp a pillow top. The first time I tried I thought I would do a quilt....too much! My question is how many thimbles do you use? I have watched several YouTube tutorials and some of those ladies use 3. Also which finger do you put yours on? Any other suggestions. Thimble type? Thanks so much!

Trene

I use one thimble on the middle finger of my top hand (for me that is my right hand). I do not use one on my under-hand, but my finger tip does get sore! I went through a lot of thimbles until I found one that works for me - my problem was that I was getting them too big! Luckily they are mostly inexpensive. I am learning new techniques for hand quilting (I learned to quilt as a child) and am finding that I have more control without a hoop, and as my rocking gets getter, I am poking my under finger less. I really like the Thimblelady videos - I don't do it exactly her way, but she has great ideas!
Good luck, hand quilting is wonderful, as is this Board for support!

117becca

I use a coin thimble on the middle finger of my top hand (also right hand) Coin thimble is leather w/ a metal dimple piece over the pad of the finger.

It does take practice, draw yourself some lines and see how it goes...And most of all - have fun!!

Hinterland

Every quilter has their own preference - there is no right or wrong, so long as your stitches go all the way through the sandwich and are relatively even.

I use one thimble, on my middle finger of the top hand. Some quilters use a thimble on their index finger instead.

Some thimbles have a ridge on the top to hold the needle. I use the pad of my finger, so I bought a Roxanne thimble which as nice, deep dimples to hold the needle.

Janet

cdmmiracles

I like the all leather thimble (looks like a little glove)! I put it on index finger of right/top hand.

feline fanatic

I use NO thimble. I push the needle with my fingernail. When I get to the point that I have drilled a hole through my nail then I use a TJ Lane thimble but I have to start my stitches with no thimble. Once started I slip the thimble on to load the needle up and push it through the sandwich. But my preferered method is naked fingers.

Jan in VA

So glad you said that as I do it, too, and have had more than a few raised eyebrows as people see me. I don't care, whatever works FOR YOU, I say!

Jan in VA

Borntohandquilt

I completely agree with that. It's also a matter of the technique you use, how you hold your needle etc. I don't use a thimble at all and I don't have sore fingers - but I think this is the result of 6-8 hours hand quilting per day. My finger tips are used to the needle.

Kyiav10

I use a leather thimble on my right middle finger to rock the needle. I use my left thumb nail under the quilt to poke at and help guide the needle. I use my right thumb nail to poke at the top and help guide.

You can PM me if you have any other questions.

Kyia

ckcowl

i do not use any thimble- thimbles are a personal choice- use what you are comfortable with & works for you-