yacketusa

Hello All,
I'm sorry for not introducing myself first in the proper forum but I am just so excited, I couldn't wait. :D

I have two tape tips for hand quilters...one I've been using for a while and the other I just invented today. But first, a little history on the necessity for this invention.

My grandson will be 16 in two days. I started this quilt for him four years ago and have decided that this year It Will Be Done!

Well, I've been hand-quilting up a storm for two weeks and my finger tips on my left hand just couldn't take the pain any longer. Desperate for a solution, I tried to think of what I could use to protect these fingers... and then it came to me -- white adhesive tape, the kind that doctors use. I bought some this morning and gave it a shot. It works like a charm, and the entire roll cost less than $1.00! I used about an inch and a half on each finger tip.
I love it because it acts like a second skin. I can feel the pressure of the needle, it pricks the tape, and the needle glides off of the slick surface of the tape.

I searched a few videos on You Tube, but found no one using this tip. Surely, someone else has thought of this before, but I couldn't find them.
I read here about using spoons and duck tape, but no white adhesive tape.
Anyway, give it a try; I think you will like it.

On to tip number two:
Simple: use a piece of masking tape to create a straight guide line for your quilting. I pencil in the lines for larger areas and the border, but on the smaller areas (see quilt) where I can't follow the seam line, I use the tape. It is easy to move and the adhesive doesn't leave any mark or tack on the quilt top.

I just wanted to add a great big Thank You to everyone here for all the great advice and tips I've read. I've tried out the 3-D Pinwheel pattern and the Disappearing 9-Patch. Everyone here is so nice and helpful! I guess you could say I've been lurking, but the fact is I just didn't feel that I had anything worthwhile to share -- until now. :-P

Let me know if the tape works out for you.

Sandy (not lurking any more ) ;-)
P.S. I'll post a pic of the quilt when it's finished.

Murphy

Hi and welcome to the board from Iowa. Thanks for the tips. They will be very useful.

erstan947

Welcome and thanks for the tips:)

Jim

thanks for the tips...Welcome from Kentucky

AbbyQuilts

I have been using the white tape. It start from when I didn't have anything else I could use. I found I loved it and now thats all I use. Sometimes I use a band aide too with the white tape if I need a little more protection.
Welcome to the forum and thanks for the tips

alikat110

Thanks for the tips.

alikat110

Thanks for the tips.

yacketusa

Thank you, all, for the nice welcome.

Ah ha, AbbyQuilts! I knew I couldn't be the first to think of this.

I was wondering if this tape could be used in place of a thimble on the needle-pushing finger?
I'll bet if you could find a tiny metal disk to place under the tape, you could.
I am now using a Nimble Thimble and I like it, but it tends to slide around and the metal disk isn't in exactly the right place all of the time.
I suppose I could use the tape to hold it in place. :?

P.S. on the white tape: I've been using it for about three hours and just took it off... my finger tips are a bit pruny - like waterlogged. I think tomorrow I'll place a dab of cotton ball under the tape to keep my finger from sweating.

One thing is certain, I was able to quilt a lot faster and pain-free for the first time ever! My stitches were smaller, too. I think I'll be finished tomorrow. Yea!

Jim's Gem

Welcome to the board from Southern California!!!

leiladylei54

TY for the tips....it will save my poor ring finger and finger nail that takes a real beating while handsewing my binding on a quilt.