I'm learning to hand quilt. And I have the sore thumb to prove it! I have to say I am enjoying it, although I have a looong way to go... I have never gotten used to using a thimble. My mother tried to get me to use one when I was learning to sew many years ago, but I just never liked the feel of the thimble on my finger. (Probably there was never one that fit me properly as I have very small fingers). I have always gotten along just fine without. Until now. Now I'm regretting it as I still cannot stand a thimble on any finger and my poor little thumb is getting mighty sore. I am persevering though, and comparing my stitching to that of the others who came today, I'm doing okay for a beginner. I have no trouble making small stitches on the top- it's that darn space between the stitches that I have trouble keeping small. I'm concentrating on making sure every stitch goes through to the back and picks up the backing.Our Guild is hand quilting this queen sized quilt for the Stan Cassidy Rehab Foundation to raffle for funds. My friend Gail M pieced the top- you can see it here. We now have it in the frame in my livingroom and FQG members are welcome to come and quilt on it. You can read more about that here. The stitches you see above in the border along the bottom of photo are mine, all mine. Every little one. Notice I haven't given you too close a view... But they look good from a distance don'cha think? As I get better, perhaps I'll get out the macro lens... Perhaps. No promises...
Piece,
Linda
Never be afraid to try something new. Remember amateurs built the ark, professionals built the Titanic.
5 comments:
You are doing great . I am learning too and I am really enjoying it. I found a hoop with a stand works best for me. OUCH! the fingers ...:(
This week I tried the long frames .. the plain hoop but the one I can control my stitches best is with the hoop on a stand...
Enjoy!
Oh dear, I do wish you would learn to use a thimble (any kind - even leather.) It takes time but really, when it comes to hand quilting, it is a wonderful aid. If you learned to use a thimble, then the only fingers that would get sore are the ones underneath that feel the needle going through. Actually, it would just be the tips of your index and middle finger that would get pricked.
Hi, Linda: I wish I could come and quilt for an afternoon! With all the lovely hand stitching you do, I bet you are a natural at hand quilting. I never liked a thimble either until I did my first large quilt and found it a necessity. My Gram's thimble was in the drawer of her treadle sewing machine cabinet so I started with that, enjoying the connection. Although it was not a great fit it was a good place to start and now I have found a favourite which fits so perfectly I hardly know I am wearing it...in fact, I often find it on my finger when I am driving!
Have fun, a snowy day like today should be a perfect one for around a frame.
Hi Linda, I sewed for many years and could not get used to a thimble; but when I started quilting I knew that I wouldn't be able to continue without one. I happened to come across a great hint for those like me who were "thimble challenged". Wear one on your finger while you are doing other things, like reading, walking, etc. but don't sew or quilt with it. Eventually you will get so used to wearing it that it will feel like an extension of your finger and that's when you start to quilt with it. On the day I went to a restaurant wearing my thimble, I knew that I would be able to quilt with it. I have a Roxanne thimble and it comes in many sizes - no doubt you would be able to find a perfect fit. I can't do any sewing now with out my thimble on my finger. Hope this helps.
Sue W. from COLD Bathurst
Sue - And where would one find a Roxanne thimble? I've never heard that name. Are they available in the Maritimes? By the way, it's darn cold here too....
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