Sunday, January 18, 2015

My Hands

Kathy asked that we share a picture of our slow stitching hands today, so here I am quilting the border of my pink scrap quilt.  My hands, thankfully, to not get tired when quilting because I do not rock the needle.  My right hand stays still and pushes the needle.  The left hand (underneath) has a thimble on it and it pushes up.  I started quilting this way long ago because I could never get used to a sore finger underneath.


I remember when I first learned to hand quilt I thought "This is supposed to be relaxing???  You've got to be kidding!"  I thought it was so unnatural and the quilt was always in my way.  Of course it didn't help that I chose the fluffiest batting I could find!  But I persevered and now I agree that hand quilting is one of the most relaxing things a person can do.

This is what happens to the thimble on my left hand.  I have to replace them about once a year when I poke a hole in them.   I'm glad its the thimble and not my finger that looks like Swiss cheese.   I need the metal thimbles with the flat top (no ridge) and they are getting more difficult to find each year.  I've become a thimble hoarder. 


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10 comments:

  1. MaryJanuary 18, 2015 at 5:17 PM

    Do you piece by hand as well? You've drawn in a really pretty quilting design.

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    1. BarbaraJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:16 AM

      I seldom piece by hand, although I do applique. I really love to piece on the machine. I have something like 20 tops waiting to be quilted. Isn't that awful? Thank you about the design. I found it in a book of Amish motifs.

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  2. Carla A Few Of My Favorite ThingsJanuary 18, 2015 at 5:21 PM

    I agree about poked fingers! Ouch! Funny how we all find what works for us when we have a passion to do it. I am learning to do walking foot straight line quilting and oh boy is that hard work. Like wrestling an alligator!

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    1. BarbaraJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:20 AM

      I, too, am working on machine quilting. So far, I haven't had much luck (see my post of June 2014). I do much better with free motion and the feed dogs dropped. I sure do wish I'd develop a passion for machine quilting - maybe all these unquilted tops would get done.

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  3. MartiDIYJanuary 18, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    I have never been comfortable with the metal thimbles and usually use a leather one. Is the one with holes a plastic one? It looks orange in the photo.

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    1. BarbaraJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:21 AM

      My thimble is metal. I think it just looks orange because of the flash I used.

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  4. Jennie in GAJanuary 18, 2015 at 9:28 PM

    Would love to see your hand quilting technique up close and personal.

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    1. BarbaraJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:22 AM

      If you are ever in California, I'd be happy to show you!

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  5. Quilter KathyJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:00 AM

    Loved seeing your photos! My under finger does look like swiss cheese today!
    So wonderful to see everyone's individual style of stitching.
    Thanks for linking up!

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    Replies
    1. BarbaraJanuary 19, 2015 at 9:23 AM

      I'm so glad you started this link. I look forward to Sundays for slow stitching and seeing other stitchers' work. Thank you!

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