Wednesday, February 7, 2018

Lots of hand sewing...bindings, bindings, bindings!

None of these are in season, but each is fun and the best part of all...FINISHED!!!  I had an opportunity to sew by hand for a while...and here it is, my progress.  

My fingers on the left hand have calluses, but my middle finger on my right hand has a worn through blister!!  No pain, though, so it is all good.  I try and try to use a thimble, and just cannot. Can you?  What do you recommend??



Have a super day, each of you!!!


Julie

32 comments:

swooze said...

I have a hard time with thimbles too. I use the bog in needle which is a little rubber numberbon one hand and another type on my left. It’s a blue plastic. I’ll try to look it up and let you know

swooze said...

Bohin thimble

Nancy said...

You go, girl! Great job, Julie, to have so many finishes at nearly the same time. They are all beautiful.

I don't use a thimble. I have callouses but if I don't have a quilt layered and ready to quilt after the last one is finished, my callouses disappear and I have to start all over again. That's where I am just now. I sometimes brush liquid bandage (I buy the store brand) on my fingertips before or after I've stitched and they're tender. It helps.

Cynthia Brunz Designs said...

Great job getting all those pretty things bound. I can’t use a thimble either but I do like the stick on leather dots. If I do get a sore spot, I can put one of those on and keep from feeling further pain. You can reuse them a few times too.

gayle said...

Look at you and that stack of quilty goodness!
I can't use most thimbles, especially metal ones. I had a leather one years ago that worked really well, but when I finally wore it out I found that the ones they make now aren't as good. (The leather is thinner and the metal disc inside is smaller.) I've been trying the stick-on ones and am moderately happy with them. Just can't seem to build up a callus like I could when I was a young whippersnapper.

Janet O. said...

I only use a thimble for hand quilting, not for binding. I find I don't need a thimble for binding when I use the slim Milliner's needles, and the ladder stitch.
What a wonderful pile of finishes you have there!!

Leeanne said...

lovely finishes! I have never been very good with thimbles either! Must be why I like to do my bindings all by machine now :-)

strawberrypatches said...

I use leather dots all the time, not the ones with metal though. When the sticky wears off I put a plaster over the top to hold it in place, or the soft tape that you can get to hold dressings on. I hand quilt all of my quilts and sometimes hand sew them too.

Binsa said...

Yah you rock Julie I buy self adhesive bandages and cut a thin strip and wrap it around my finger works for me

Kyle said...

What a beautiful pile of finished quilts. It's a great feeling of accomplishment. I do wear just an inexpensive metal thimble. I can't sew without anymore.

Little Penpen said...

How exciting ! A whole pile of finished quilts! I use the little metal stick on disk as a thimble. I can't wear a regular thimble either.

Sherrill said...

Never been able to use a thimble either so just go naked! LOL Looks like you and I have both been busy on the binding front. Woohoo!

Tired Teacher said...

I have tried many thimbles (metal, silicone, leather, partial) none are comfortable or work for me.

Great job on all the finished projects!

Carolyn said...

Julie, your quilts are beautiful! I do use a thimble. I have a Roxanne thimble that I've had for over 20 years. I love it and use it for almost all of my hand sewing and quilting. I have the sterling silver one, it was a bit pricey but it was what felt best on my finger. The others felt...thick? It was a great investment and one I've never regretted!

Loris said...

Your Red Cross quilt is finished! It's beautiful :-)
I can't seem to use a thimble either. I've tried the cloth tip things without success either. It sure would be nice not to have to poke my finger but oh well...

Cynthia Gilbreth said...

These are beautiful quilts! I use several different thimbles as I see fit, but quilt bindings are pretty easy and smooth so I usually don't bother. I took a serger class and the teacher was so excited to show us how to bind a quilt in 20 minutes. She just doesn't get it.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

my thimble that I love love love--it a TJLane one--
I tired every kind of thimble known before I hit on these--
these are very expensive, but guaranteed for life--
and if they get any holes or whatever they fix them--
and both of mine did and they did make good on them--
they are made of sterling silver--when I got mine they were around $60--but are much higher priced now--but--welllll worth the money---
I can not use a thimble that covers the whole end of my finger for some reason--
these let the nail part of my finger lay on top of part of the thimble--
I do alot and I mean alot of hand quilting--so I have test drove these thimbles alot--
and if I were to lose the ones I have--even on my limited budget these days--
I would still buy me another TJLane thimble--
enjoy, di

Quilting Babcia said...

Congratulations on all those pretty finishes! I use a metal thimble for all my sewing, and when hand quilting a second thimble goes on the index finger of my under-the-quilt hand. I prefer the old fashioned metal thimbles with the rounded end rather than the ones with a ridge around the edge. So whenever we are in an antique or thrift shop I always look for the old style thimbles among all the jumble of sewing boxes. Most of the time I haven't paid more than $1.00 for one in good shape.

Joyce Carter said...

Awesome job on all the finishes Julie. I can't use a thimble either so what works for me is plain old masking tape. I just wrap a little around my finger and it works just fine.

AnnieO said...

Very nice job! I use one of the Fons and Porter thimbles that have a silicone/rubber material at the bottom, metal at the tip. I tend to use the side of my middle finger to push the needle, which wrecks my nail, and this thimble doesn’t fall off like a plain metal one.

AnnieO said...

Sorry it’s by Clover and I got it at JoAnns

Stoney said...

Nope. I cannot use a thimble at all ever. I am currently hand sewing/assembling a hexie quilt which will be long arm quilted. It's 90 by 90 so I need the longarm due to shoulder issues. If I were to hand quilt it, there wouldn't be a thimble involved. So glad to know someone else who can't do thimbles.....

Rebecca in AK said...

Wow! A whole pile of finishes! Good for you! I only wear a thimble when hand quilting. Still looking for the “right” one.

Karen said...

I so like the oak leaf applique piece I see in the picture.
I have been using the Clover flexible rubber thimbles with a metal tip. Have purchased a few over time as the rubber tends to stretch after a while and not fit the finger as well. It has a gentle fit. Comes in three sizes, I think. I have been using the yellow one. I do not have skinny fingers. The packaging has a hole in it for fitting to your finger. I also have a metal thimble with a recessed gold top that I have used a lot for hand quilting. I do not know the brand. I don't think it came in packaging.

Deborah said...

I try to use a thimble but find it really difficult. My daughter brought me a very light thimble from Thailand and it is fairly comfortable but I usually end up taking them off.

---"Love" said...

I've always had a hard time with a thimble, but I'm not doing any hand quilting now. I can sympathize with you over the sore fingers; nothing hurts more! Those little quilts are beautiful, every one of them! ---"Love"

Barb said...

great stack of work there -
have you ever tried the little metal disk that stick to you finger, or the little leather circles?
I use a silver one from TJ Lane. Check out her website they are like part of my finger now and I don't even notice it.

Mary Ann said...

I use a leather thimble and that works for me. Mary Ann

Browndirtcottage said...

I think we should have a photo of you rolling around in all that loveliness!! Calluses and all....LOL!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Congrats on all the finishes. I don't use a thimble most of the time. I have used the dots that you stick on the end of your finger, and also a leather thimble that goes over your finger (sold at Joann's, etc).

eileen said...

I always use a silicone thimble, which never budges from my finger...can't sew without it !

Lori said...

Whoop! Whoop! I let the finger get callused and it is sore for a few days. I only use a thimble when quilting, not binding.

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I was tempted by Puffins...a squirrelly breed!!  LOL!  This fabric was shared with me, and I have been loved these bright, candy corn colors...