judyq

Hello... I'm trying to learn to hand quilt. I purchased a thimble but I don't think it works very well. I'm looking for one that has a 'lip' around the tip so the needle won't slide off. Can someone tell me where to find one like this? And do the small leather thimbles work well? I had a leather the fit my whole finger and it was too bulky. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

billswife99

I have a hard time getting the right fit too. I hate the leather ones. I am using one of these right now and it's not too bad. They seem to run a little bigger then the metal ones.

http://www.craftconn.com/Main.asp?Ta...roductID=14988

quiltingbee12

I love the leather ones, I like the clover soft leather one.

judyq

Thank you all so much for the links/info. I will most certainly take a look and find something.
One more question about hand quilting... in relationship to the tip of the needle, where do you have your finger on the underneath part of the quilt? I'm having a hard time getting the tip of the needle to come back thru to the top. I think I'm supposed to 'pinch' the fabric with my thumb (top) and press us from the bottom with my index/middle finger But not getting the exact location right. It's making a large stitch and I want smaller ones. Thanks.

Ninnie

I use a clover soft leather one, it has a metal insert in the side to catch your needle in and to help push. It only goes to the first joint, so doesn't cover your whole finger!

gaigai

The Roxanne thimble has a little lip around the tip, just like you were asking for. K3n posted a photo of hers somewhere here recently.

Here's a link. Good luck

http://www.colonialneedle.com/cgi-bi...e_list_roxanne

Ninnie

Just saw your second question. I use my left index finger to feel the needle, push down with my thumb and push the needle up onto the top of my thumb nail. Hope that makes sense!

judyq

I have tried that so many times and I just can't get it to come back up in the right place. Could my fabric be too tight? Let me tell you... I keep trying everything so that's why I'm thinking it's something to do with where I am holding my finger underneath. I'm one of those 'tenacious' girls... keep trying until I get it right! LOL

Ninnie

Once I feel the needle I push up, do not push the needle too far under the quilt , just a little.
Are you quilting in a hoop? It might be too tight if you are!
How big is the item you are quilting?

Ninnie

There are several hand quilters on this board, post your second question under quilting and you will get more answers. Maybe someone can explain it better than I am. The key is to get your stitches even, size doesn't matter when you first start hand quilting. 'the small stitches will come in time. I like to use a 10 or 12 needle now, but started out with size 8 years ago! Maybe you are just being too hard on your self! Relax and breath!!!