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Friday, February 17, 2012

Thimbles Up!

The comments on the hand quilting question & answer post were really thought provoking!

For instance, many had questions on thimbles.

Bonnie,

Like so many others you are a daily must for me. It keeps me inspired and sometimes even motivated ;)! You have inspired me to get out my antique quilt tops (put together with hand embroidered blocks my great grandmother did) and get to hand quilting them. I haven't hand quilted since my mother passed away. It was always something we did together around a big frame.

I am not sure my stitches will look so great, I hope it is like riding a bicycle! I would be interested in the thimble question. I know you have talked about thimbles before. I really struggle with something on my finger, but oh the pain if you don't. I would like to get back to doing some hand applique too. Thanks Bonnie for your constant inspiration and generous sharing!

I know that thimbles are a very personal thing, and what works for one will not work for someone else, so I was thinking we could do a Linky Party where those who DO use a thimble could write a post about their favorite one or ones, show some pictures, and we’d have lots of resources right there at our thimble-tips!

Would there be interest in participating in a Thimbles Up Linky Day? If you have a blog, a favorite thimble, and can write a post on it and are interested in linking up, would you leave me a comment below. If there isn’t any interest, I’ll just write a post on my own, but I thought a Linky that shows a TON of different thimble options would be of interest to many. Sound Good? If you have a fun thimble collection, this would be a great place to link it too! If your thimble has a neat story – even better.

Okay, let me know below! I was thinking we could do this on MONDAY, and that would give everyone a few days to plan their write-ups. If you are following along with Judy L’s Design Wall Mondays --- I thought doing this also on Monday would give you the chance to include the info in your same post, saving you some time --- and letting you link up on two places the same day to make it easy on you.

Any Questions?

42 comments:

  1. Oh do I need a good thimble--with my piano fingers my (rather large )middle finger (with the arthritis) has a bump before the first knuckle and all thimbles seem to cut off the circulation to my finger after a while...I would love a discussion on where to find thimbles that work. I've tried the Clover leather thimble with the metal insert--but it doesn't lay at the tip of my finger--so of no use to me!!! Aaargh--Julierose

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  2. I would love to see what everyone has to say about thimbles. I've tried a lot of different types and like the comment you got, I just don't like having something on my finger. It makes quilting seem even more awkward. I suppose a lot of it is just practicing until it's a natural feeling. I love appliqueing with wool and don't use a thimble with that but have never gotten used to hand quilting. I hope you have lots of replies and do the Linky Day. Thanks for keeping us informed!

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  3. Here is the advice I was given over 25 years ago about using a thimble. It worked for me and can't quilt without one. I use only sterling silver.

    Put on your thimble, hand quilt for about 15-20 minutes, even if it feels awkward. Leaving your thimbles (I use two one on top and one on bottom) on, go do something like fold laundry or some other household chore. The idea is for the thimbles to become a part of you. Now go back to hand quilting for another 15-20 minutes. Now go do something like empty the dishwasher, leaving on the thimbles. Doing this several times in one day taught me how to use the thimbles. Hope this helps others.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:40 PM EST

      Lynn, sounds like good advice. Use it and understand how it fits into your life style.
      Faye in Maine

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    2. I did this, and it DOES work...worked so well for me that I couldn't figure out why I was making so many typing errors, and then discovered that my thimble was the culprit on my finger!

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  4. oh yeah I have tried so many thimbles and finally found a winner! Took me forever and lots of money but now I am so happy with it. I'ts a joy to use. It's worth it to hunt for the right one and what works for you may not work for me and vice versa. Good discussion!

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  5. I would love to learn what others use for thimbles. I have long skinny fingers and have trouble finding thimbles small enough. My favorite so far is a sterling silver thimble I have had for years that has the indents around the sides and top of it to grip your needle.I have tried others but so far no luck. I would like to try the one that you have in your photo above though. Funny thing, using a thimble quilting is natural for me but can't use one just sewing at all.

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  6. THANKS Bonnie...I am excited to read all the posts! I like Lynn's advice above too....good idea!

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  7. I keep waiting to go to a quilt show or expo where they custom fit you for a thimble! Can't make it to one this year though :(( All of mine fit horribly. Would be very interested in a post like this.

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  8. Anonymous4:40 PM EST

    I like the leather ones it fits my finger snugly but not too tight.

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  9. Sounds like a good idea to me. I have one I love, that is flexible, and stretches over my bony knuckles

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  10. When I learned to sew quilt blocks with my grandma I was about 11 yrs old and all of her thimbles were too big for me. I just learned to hand sew without a thimble. I don't hand quilt often and it feels so awkward to wear a thimble b/c I don't hand sew by maneuvering the needle with that finger.

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  11. I have recently wrote two posts about thimbles. I just learned how to hand quilt on Sat. and recorded my friend talking about the tools she uses including thimbles, and another post about a neat antique thimble I just got. I would love to share both!

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  12. Oh, I would participate! I have a lot to say about thinbles, well, I'm opinionated and I have a lot to say about most things! Haha!!

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  13. I tried so many things to get used to a thimble and I never did, but I found another thing that works quite fine for me:

    Do you know this sort of tape that is used to support your fingers when playing volleyball or other sports? I cut out two pieces of this tape and stick those two layers on my finger just where I need it - and it works more than just fine. (the stuff I can get here in Germany looks like that: http://www.sportmed24.de/images/produkte/550/A1300512_bsn_leukotape.jpg)

    It doesn't feel like a real thimble but it protects my sore fingers :)

    I'm a bit curious I must say... I want to see how you others got used to thimbles and what else could be done if there is no way to get used to a thimble...

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  14. I'd share about my thimbles - the inexpensive one I wore a hole through and really really miss, and the OK one I replaced it with. I'd like to see what other quilters use.

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  15. I'd be happy to do a thimble post. I taught hand quilting for 8 years and have quite the collection and a few tips for helping people find a thimble and get used to them.

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  16. I would love to share my thimbles with you all.
    Karen

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  17. I use the pink bulk ones I can purchase for a dollar or two at quilt shows! After losing my every expensive thimble I switched to the plastic ones, buy 10-15 at a time and have them all over my house, my sewing area, in every jacket pocket, pant pocket and even in my car!! Cannot have too many!! Love your idea.

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  18. I have yet to find a thimble I love. I would love to see what others write. Maybe I'll find my magic thimble that way! : )

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  19. Anonymous6:34 PM EST

    I have a blog post at SarahLovesFabric.com about my Roxanne thimble that I love to bitty bits. I would love to participate in a link day.

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  20. I would definitely participate in a thimble linky...I do use one all the time, as a matter of fact, my son asked me the other day if I had to eat with it on..and then asked why I don't have one for both hands. :)

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  21. I don't have a blog, but would love to read what everyone else has to say. I have not hand quilted in about a year. I have a few thimbles, and it depends on how much swelling I have in my joints which one I can wear. I have trouble getting use to them when I haven't worn one for a while, so I put it on and wear it for at least 15 minutes before I start to quilt. My finger and the thimble seem to "bond" a bit, so it feels less awquard...like spelling that word! lol

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  22. That would be fun, love to hear what all the options are! I have my favorite, and really would love to get a custom fitted one as well.

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  23. I would love to read some helpful hints on what a good thimble is and how to chose one. I currently have none!

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  24. Great idea. I have a collection of thimbles tried and discarded. Thimbles that just don't feel good. Thimbles that feel good but just don't do what they should. I have even tried nu-skin on my fingers. All the posts would be fun and informative.

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  25. Sounds like you hit on yet another subject that quilters have strong opinions on! A linky thing sound like fun...

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  26. Boy can I contribute to a thimble linky. Build it and we shall come!

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  27. I can write about thimbles. I've used two very different kinds at different stages of my life.

    --C.B.

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  28. Boonie, I would do a post on thimbles. I have two really good ones althogh I haven't done much hand quilting lately. Also need to figuter out how to do that Linky. I tried be fore but==

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  29. I have a favorite thimble for quilting, but find I don't use one when doing other sewing like bindings, applique, general sewing. I bought the expensive Roxanne, but I'm not sure it's properly fitting me. It seems a bit heavy, but I do use it from time to time, just because it cost so much $$$.

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  30. Bonnie - I would love to do a linky on thimbles - but not on Monday. This Design Wall Monday I plan to show off my completed Orca Bay top (wallhanging) - and adding "thimbles" to the post just doesn't fit. It would sound like (and be) an afterthought. I think the topic deserves a post of its very own. So - I will write one - but for another day. And I will certainly stop by to read what everyone else has to say. Thanks for doing what you do. :))

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  31. Anonymous10:35 PM EST

    I just cannot use a thimble. I started quilting by hand in 2001, and couldn't get used to something on my finger. However, I am stuck on one brand of needle because it isn't pointy on the back end. I did buy this really neat thimble ring made by Clover, which is adjustable, from this little fabric store in a Jusco while living in Japan. It was ¥100 or under $1 at the time). I wear it more as a ring, then a thimble. I can't get it tight enough at the tip of my finger.

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  32. I have a Roxanne thimble size 5.5. When it works it is the greatest!! When it doesn't . . . not so much! I think my fingers shrink and swell. I am hand quilting quite a bit these days. I used Tonya's method of using Pearl Cotton and a larger between needle. I tried a Clover plastic "jelly" thimble -- not good -- too big, I guess. I've also tried "Jillily Dots" but I am not too happy with them. They are supposed to be reusable, but they don't stick on the same way the 2nd time you use them as the first. I don't have a blog, but you now have my 2 cents.

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  33. Dear Bonnie,
    I like the 'timble' issue! Before I started handquilting, I browsed the internet and I foun Jean Browns website:
    http://jeansimpressions.com/ I decided I wanted to learn her way of quilting, since there is no stress for the neck; shoulders or wrist. What I did is just sit in front of the computer and just try and try (not so very long actually....) until I understood the idea. I had learned handquilting 10 years ago in a tight frame with lots of broken needles. Now I can quilt as long as I like and I never have any pains or aches. I'm only 43 years old now, so I hope enjoying this for a long time yet.
    I hope it's alright if I put Jeans link in this reaction, since I don't have a blog of my own.
    Greetings from the Netherlands!
    Love,
    Christine S.

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  34. Hi Bonnie, Thimble linky is great. I used to hate using thimbles. After getting a permanent hole in my finger that the needle always seems to find, I decided to make the effort and wear one. Now I can wear it all day and forget I have it on. I really can't sew without one. Love the TJ Lane silver thimbles. They are also wonderful people who will do their very best to help you out if you visit their stand at any of the shows.

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  35. I'm in on the Thimble linky. I have a couple of types I used and would be willing to do a post about it on my blog. I'm curious to see all the thimbles out there. Once I learned to hand sew/quilt with it, I can't sew without out it.

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  36. I love my Roxanne thimble, but I have lost weight so it doesn't stay on anymore. I am having trouble finding a new one so I would like to see what everone else has to say and what they use. Thanks.

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  37. Looks like that's a TJ Lane thimble on your finger. If so, I must add my two cents. TJ Lane thimbles are the absolute best thimbles ever. I have been quilting since the seventies and during this time I have tried 5 million thimbles - and this is the ONE.

    Among my collection I have 4 Roxanne thimbles, antique silver thimbles, plastic ones, metal ones and leather ones, etc. But until I tried on the TJ did my sewing finger feel complete. These thimbles are not cheap, but they are well worth the money. I bought my thimble from a local quilt store that carries them in So. Calif. and the saleslady patiently fitted me. She spent at least an hour with me getting me to see why the thimble I bought was the "one". Each time I tried and retried on a thimble I had to suck my finger to moisten it before I put on a new thimble size. If the thimble "popped" when I took it off it was the right size. After a few attempts of sucking and trying on thimbles, my finger popped and I had found my thimble. My TJ thimble grabs the needle and I hand-quilt with ease. I can wear this thimble for hours and my finger does not get sore. Best of all these thimbles are pretty and I feel glamourous wearing it.

    Just saying (I quess alot) - Terry

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  38. I would love to hear more about other's thimbles and will post about mine. Need to go take some pictures!

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  39. I SO need help in finding a thimble.
    i think my finger is between sizes(6&7)but so far the thimbles i've tried just don't seem long enough to stay on my finger, or else they're so flared at the bottom that you could drive a dump truck between my finger and the thimble.

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  40. I'd be happy to do a write up on thimbles - a subject close to my own heart after searching for the right one(s) for me! Let us know the details!!!

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