Spoon Quilting for hand quilting

[Beverly C.]

Hi,
Is there anyone out there who can tell me their experience and advice on using a spoon for hand quilting?

I am starting to get the "hang" of it. I am going to cut off the handle of the spoon and smooth it off and just keep the bowl. I like to hold the spoon right over my thumb but the handle gets in the way. I tried a coin but that didn't work for me. the bowl shape of the spoon makes a close fit to my thumb.

no more sore fingers. I love to quilt by hand, but sore fingers prevent me from quilting for very long.


I thought about trying TJ's quick quilter spoon tool, but I don't like the way I have to hold it far away from the bowl and the tip of it is flattened. I like the rounded, pointed tip of a regular spoon.

I have also tried the Aunt Becky tool, but I don't like that it is flat. I just can't get the hang of it. and it is hard to hold on to since it is so small.

Off to Good Will to buy a few junk spoons so I can cut off the handles. I will let you know how it goes.

Becky

[Jo H.]

Becky,

I tried Aunt Becky's tool as well and couldn't get the hang of it. I think everyone has to find the technique and tool that works best for them. I love my TJ's quick quilter spoon and would put up a pretty good tug of war if someone tried to take it from me. My hands are small and I do put my thumb right in the bowl of my spoon. I also have very short fingernails so this works perfectly for me.

I do think that any spoon will work so find one that really feels good to you. I've read that some people bend a small tip in their spoon so that you have a ridge to bounce the needle off of.

Your fingers that are underneath the quilt will love you for taking care of them. And, my hand stitches keep getting better and better the more experience I get using my spoon. Jinny Beyer said it took her quilting half a quilt to really get comfortable with hers and I think I'm on the same track.

[Kathryn S.]

JoJo, can you get the TJ quick quilter anywhere but the website? I've tried Aunt Becky's gizmo without success myself.
I see they have a video on the website, I'm such a sucker for videos
Kathy

[Kathryn S.]

Thanks, JoJo.

Maybe I will try TJ's quick quilter after all.


I have never seen it in my LQS.

I found it on quilterswarehouse.com and Jinny Beyer's website.

-becky-

Update:
p.s. I didn't cut off the spoon handle, but after several hours of using the spoon, I really like it. I am starting to get nice, even stitches and no sore fingers!!! woo hoo!!!

[Jo H.]

JoJo, can you get the TJ quick quilter anywhere but the website? I've tried Aunt Becky's gizmo without success myself.
I see they have a video on the website, I'm such a sucker for videos
Kathy

I bought mine directly from TJ on her web site, but Jinny Beyer sells it as well. I nearly purchased the video but decided to just keep watching the snippet on Jinny's site and practicing. I did also call TJ and she was a sweetie and talked me through getting started. At first I didn't have the quilt hooped tightly enough. After fixing that, I've been happily handquilting since.