World Wide Quilting Page
Question of the Week
Question for the week of July 27, 1998:
Our question this week comes from Joy Hylsky
I am working on my first hand quilted quilt. and the middle finger of my left hand is very sore. I find it extremely awkward to use a thimble on the
finger since I have to feel the needle come through the fabric. Any
suggestions?
Lee :
Quilting is not for the faint of heart.
Ursula Hazeleger :
I had the same problem nd solved it by quilting only for a little time each day, increasing the time gradually until the skin of my finger became harder and more used to it. Now I can quilt for quite a long time without pain and the 'natural thimble' comes in handy for cross-stitching too! When it start looking ugly, I pumice it down.
Louise M. :
As a 24 year+ quilter I have tried all of these hints but still find waarm soapy dishwater the most soothing followed by either bag balm or Camille Beckman Hand Cream..It is the best!
Louise M. :
All of the advice already sent in is great and I have tried most of them. One hint I did not see is simply washing dishes. Warm soapy water is very soothing to my sore fingertips and then I follow with either bag balm or that wonderful Camille Beckman hand gylcering. I love it ! Also alternating fingers as someone suggested is something I do when I just don't want to quit just yet....
Mel :
For Joy,
This shows that your finger is not used to quilting. Two or three times a day, put this finger in the bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and tip it up and cover the end of the finger. When it dries, you can start quilting again. Eventally you will develop a callous on the end of this finger, and it won't hurt. When I haven't quilted for a long time, I sometimes use the other two fingers on either side of the middle one, just as a change, when it is really hurting, until it develops the callous.
lin humphrey :
My best friend is a nurse and she gave me some clear tape that is used for bandages. I can use one two inche piece a couple of times. It is thin enough so I can feel the tip of the needle. There is a similar tape available at Drug Stores, and if you have a sensitivity to adhesives you may want to look for "paper tape".
Margaret :
I like using 2 coats of New Skin. It's a paint-on skin substitute that is usually used for minor cuts. Like the nail polish idea, you can still feel thru it, but it protects your skin from being pricked.
livy :
I changed my quilting rhythm so that I do not "prick" into my finger so often. In other words I insert the needle for the stitch and THEN I sort of "scratch" with the ball of my first, middle, OR third finger. One finger or another may get sore if I poke it but if I pay attention and feel for the point of the needle AFTER I start the down stitch I poke it deeply less often.
Renee :
I also alternate my index and middle fingers as the "pricked fingers" under the quilt. This keeps one from taking all the sticks.
Betty :
I've found that Bag Balm does a great job of keeping my finger soft, and helps it to heal quickly. It's non-greasy, doesn't stain the fabric, and is terrific for reducing soreness and helping to heal. It's usually available in 1 oz tins at most quilt shops (1 oz will last a LONG time!), for about $5. I've noticed that once I develop a slight callus on my fingertip, it doesn't get so sore. Sometimes I switch to my index finger when I'm quilting a large piece. You can also give yourself a break of a day or two to promote healing.
Betty :
I've found that Bag Balm, available in most quilt shops in 1 oz and 5 oz tins, is very effective. The 1 oz tin will last a LONG time! It's non-greasy, doesn't stain the fabric, helps heal quickly and reduces the soreness. I also switch to my index finger from time to time when I'm quilting a large piece. Give yourself a break of a day or two to heal. You'll find after a while that a callus builds up, and your finger doesn't get so sore so quickly. When it does, Bag Balm helps!
Betsy :
Hi Joy!
I find that my finger gets incredibly sore until I build a callous. Once the callous is there it doesn't really hurt unless I do an unusual about of quilting. I do use something on my fingers when I need to rebuild my callouses. My quilt shop sells and antiseptic cow teet cream. Believe it or not vets. use it for cow teets. It REALLY helps.I don't happen to have any right now but if you would like to e-mail me at Btiger64@aol.com I'll find the name. It really eases the pain of tender fingers.
Good luck!
Barbara :
Once my finger is very sore, I rest it for several days. I find that if I quilt every other day it doesn't get too bad. I also "paint" the tip and ball of the under finger with clear fingernail polish. It helps. Good luck.
Linda Carder :
Joy, I use Leaf-It Finger Dots. There are 60 plastic dots to a package, with adhesive on the back. The other thing I do is mix 1 oz. of iodine and 1 oz. of glycerine in a 2 oz. bottle and rub some into my hands for three nights in row. It heals and toughens the skin so it's less sensitive. It is messy, but I only have to use it once every six weeks. Good luck!
Diane :
I use both my middle finger and my index finger and rotate use of them. This does not cure the soreness but I can quilt twice as long. I haven't found any commercial product that I like. I am left handed so it's my right hand that gets sore.
Lenora :
I still use a band aid, as I haven't been able to find the latest notion in the local fabric store.
Sue :
Joy,
I have recently found "Thimble Its," a soft, flexible, sticky-backed oval piece of plastic that you put on your under finger. You can still feel the needle come through, but your finger is well protected. They come in a package of 64 and each one is reusable until the stickiness is gone. I like these a lot better than sticking the old adhesive tape on my finger!
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