Pain when hand quilting

[Jo H.]

I love to hand quilt but lately my wrist and fingers hurt. I use the Thimble Lady thimble and it has helped but this week it's like my fingers have trouble grabbing the needle and then repositioning it back in the quilt to begin stitching again. It feels like I'm new at this and my fingers and hands don't know how to hold the needle. Tonight, I was frustrated with myself and pushed on even though I should have stopped and rested.

I've always used short needles and am wondering if longer needles might help -- kind of give me a little more needle to hold on to. I don't want to give up on hand work because I do so love it, but must figure out a work-around.

Would you let me know what needles you use and the specific brand and type. I've tried nearly all of the quilting betweens and the three sizes of the Thimble Lady needles.

Thanks for any advice you might have.

JoJo

[Teri L.]

I've used all kinds of needles - of all I'd say that Richard Hemmings and John James are my favorites.
I tried The Thimble Lady needles and I think I was using the wrong size for the batik fabric on the bottom...
The Thimble Lady thimble is one of the best I've used - ever. I've tried a lot of thimbles over the 14 years of hand quilting and quilting with the pad of my finger has helped ease the tension and strain on the hand. After some practice I've found that I can quilt with either my middle or first finger and that helps as well.


Happy quilting!
Teri

[Teri L.]

I would also consider the chair you're sitting in. If you're in one with arms that are too high, you might be positioning your arms at an uncomfortable angle. Try putting your feet on a stool or sitting more upright or other positions. You'd be surprised how the way you sit can affect your arms and wrist. Good luck! Nancy in NY

[Jo H.]

I've used all kinds of needles - of all I'd say that Richard Hemmings and John James are my favorites.
I tried The Thimble Lady needles and I think I was using the wrong size for the batik fabric on the bottom...
The Thimble Lady thimble is one of the best I've used - ever. I've tried a lot of thimbles over the 14 years of hand quilting and quilting with the pad of my finger has helped ease the tension and strain on the hand. After some practice I've found that I can quilt with either my middle or first finger and that helps as well.


Happy quilting!
Teri

Thanks Teri, I haven't tried the Hemmings needles before.

[Jo H.]

I would also consider the chair you're sitting in. If you're in one with arms that are too high, you might be positioning your arms at an uncomfortable angle. Try putting your feet on a stool or sitting more upright or other positions. You'd be surprised how the way you sit can affect your arms and wrist. Good luck! Nancy in NY

Nancy,

You may be on to something because I was sitting in my club chair but my dog has pretty much designated (read "stuffed") me onto just one side of the chair so perhaps I have been holding my arms in a strange angle. I don't use a hoop either but the weight of the piece wasn't bad so I don't think it contributed to it.

JoJo

[Jo H.]

I have to also suggest the chair and how you are sitting. If my best buddy (dog) tries to share my space...I find that am hunched over my quilting piece.
Using a foot stool has made the difference also.

A glass of wine or two also helps..LOL

FW

[Cheryl K.]

My tension withing the hand quilting hoop is also very slack, which helps with being able to move the needle up and down.

There is a chat with the Thimble Lady coming up soon. Even if you can't participate, you might ask for the transcripts to gather a few more tips.

[Cheryl K.]

I highly recommend the Jean Brown http://www.jeansimpressions.com method for hand quilting. You can get all the supplies at her website. Her technique is faster for me than the Thimble Lady technique which I tried also. Watch Jean Brown's video on http://www.quilterstv.com (tips and techniques). I really had to practice a lot to get the technique down but I am so happy because it is painless and fast.

[Paula D.]

It's not the needle. Sounds like you're pinching a nerve. A good stretch to counter-act has been recommended to me, and you might find it gives you some relief: simply press the backs of your hands together - like an inverted, upside down prayer. Another suggestion I would have for you is to take some lessons. Your instructor may be able to show you how to avoid pain by correcting your stitching position. If all fails, learn to machine quilt! (which has it's own pains!)

[Judy M.]

Are you using a thin polyester batting? Cotton is too hard to hand quilt through. I also use an 8 or 9 John James needle instead of the size 12 I used before arthritis.

[Jo H.]

Thank you for everyone's excellent advice and tips and techniques. I have made some changes based on everyone's comments and will let you know how it works out.

1) I purchased longer needles,
2) reclaimed my chair back from my dog (he's none to happy about being pushed out either),
3) put a nice light beside my chair, and
4) have a foot stool so I can rearrange myself periodically and not get stiff.

I appreciate the hand exercises advice too. And, I was quilting through cotton batting on this small square too. Geez, I guess I was doing everything wrong! :shock:

JoJo

[Barbara B.]

Seamswiggly, thanks for the link to the Jean Brown video. I've had an Aunt Becky for many years and had no idea how to work with it. It looks like this method would take a little practice but should be very beneficial for those of us with arthritis and wrist or finger pain. I enjoyed watching it so thanks for the tip!

[Sandy F.]

I would also like to that you for the link to Jean Brown's video. I think this is a perfect fit for me but will take a lot of practice to break some old habits. I ordered her lap hoop and thimble and told my husband his Christmas Shopping was done. SandyTN