bjchad

I just started hand quilting. I use a regular thimble on my upper hand and a silicon/rubber thimble under the quilt.

ManiacQuilter2

Sometimes you have to try a product and see what works best for you.

mem

Genden said, "My favorite needle is Hiroshima Tulip betweens. These needles can be ordered from Hancocks of Paducah or Amazon. I have tried every needle there is and the H. tulip is so superior there is no comparison."

What size betweens do you use?

NJ Quilter

I am one that prefers Roxanne needles. Usually use a size 11 or 12 between. Get them from Colonial needle. Very good customer service, btw. I mostly use a hoop but it is not on a stand of any sort. I sit in a comfy side chair while quilting and wiggle about quite a bit changing position. I think a hoop on a lap or floor stand would just annoy me as I would need to be in a single position for a long period. I can quilt for hours as long as I can scritch around in my chair.

I use the Thimblelady thimble http://www.thimblelady.com/search-al...atured&page=10 in the stainless steel version. I started out with the plastic to see 1) if I liked that style thimble and 2) check for size. The sizing - using the website's instructions - have been perfect. With this thimble you push with the pad of your finger, not the tip. I find it much more comfortable.

I use any old handquilting thread as long as it is the color I want. JAF sells a brand 'Americana' that is quite heavy and limited colors but I have used it. Otherwise mainly Guttermann. I also use Thread Heaven conditioner vs beeswax. I like the results much better. I even use it on glazed threads as I feel it really helps with the tangling. Mainly for keeping your thread as tangle-free as possible, don't cut lengths more than about 12-18 inches. This helps.

Bree123

Thank you all SOOOOO much for the tips. I think I will try both the H. Tulip & the Roxanne needles as I have heard such good things about the both (and I already have some JJ quilting needles that I have used in the past to fall back on, but I'm sure there are better choices for quilting). I currently push with the pad of my finger (or sometimes the side of my finger) for applique, hand sewing & the little bit of quilting I've done, so maybe I will try the ThimbleLady thimbles; they do seem like they would help with my tendonitis since they immobilize the knuckle joint.

I also have those silicon thimbles & like them okay. Thanks for the tip, NJ, about needing to move around. I will have to think on that. I have had lot of surgeries on my neck & back so trying to hold a hoop is nearly impossible for me. I have a cheapy HL quilting hoop & end up pulling my knees up & holding it with my knees at times because I don't have the strength to hold it up with one hand -- same thing with hand embroidery which I used to do a LOT of. I've thought about lap quilting, but I can't tilt my head down so it's hard to see. Perhaps I could get a magnifier & then I could try lap quilting, but I've been thinking about the TL hoop & I think it would still work okay if I put soft weights & had it out in front of me so I could work on my knees or crosslegged. I definitely agree that it's important to change positions so as not to get too stiff ... although, once I got my ergonomic set-up with my machine, I seem to do okay working in 20 minute increments there with 5-10 minute breaks in between. I really hope I can make this work. Some day if I get lucky enough have a husband & adopt children, I would like to hand quilt a special quilt for my husband & each of the kids. There just really is nothing more special than a hand quilted heirloom.

Thank you again to everyone for the wealth of information! I can't wait to get started on this next month. I'm sure I'll have more questions then, but I've definitely got enough to let "Santa" know what I'd like for Christmas.

Genden

I started out with size 10, but soon found I liked a size 12 better.

Maureen NJ

I have a Hintenburg hoop, which I love because it rotates in all directions. I have a 22" but I found I had to stretch too much and it hurt my back. I got the 18" hoop and like it much better. Check it out. The fact that it rotates really makes a difference. I like to use a clover thimble that has silicone on the sides and a deep metal top. I use this on my middle finger and, on my thumb, I use a soft silicone cot that is for FMQ but I like it for grasping the needles. I got it at JoAnns. I recently got the spoon for my underhand but haven't used it yet. Goggle spoon quilting for the YouTube link.