I know I complain a lot about the hand sewing on my bindings, but a good percentage of them are batik fabrics. If you have never hand sewn on a batik, you might not realize they are a high thread count fabric and very tough to push a needle through. The batik I used for this binding was especially tough. I use a very thin needle, a small crewel embroidery needle, that has a long tapered eye instead of a round one (which makes the top of the needle fat) so threading is a "lot of fun" too, LOL. My fingers were so sore I didn't think I could stick with it but I did. I have never learned to use a thimble but my fingernails are very tough so I push the needle through with my thumbnail.
I'm just repeating this picture from a couple days ago so I will have them both in the same post when I look back into the archives for it some day. The KaffeFassett fabric was perfect for the back of this one.
Beautiful quilt!! I tried a leather thimble because other thimbles drive me crazy, and I've been very happy with it. I have sewn on batik bindings with no problem. I've tried 2 kinds of leather thimbles, and I *much* prefer the small one to the one with a long piece down the finger and a bit of plastic or bone inside over the pad of the finger.
It feels terrific to finish a quilt, even though some might be more difficult than others. I am like you, never got used to using a thimble and my middle finger on my right hand has developed a callus from binding. But batiks are definitely more of a challenge.
can't imagine hand sewing without a thimble -- especially batik! my early fiber instructors were insistent on thumble usage -- which I found awkward -- but I'm ever so thankful now...
Oh, I can imagine how tough the cloth can be, because I sewed the acrylic-painted patches. Sometimes I perforated them with the needle before I pulled the thread through. I'm getting a horny skin on thumb and first finger.
Bravo! What a beautiful quilt. Batik binding is painful business. Don't let that needle back up into your nail. Ugh! I don't use a thimble either, but I really like those little leather dots with the adhesive on the back. I keep it stuck to my scissors, so it's handy when I need it. It saves a lot of wear and tear on my finger. Give them a try. That backing is perfect for this quilt. Great photos, too. Karen
The glow in the centre of that quilt is fantastic!! I love it!! I'm about to start piecing some hand dyes (the dyer uses cloth with a very fine thread count) with batiks. I need to make 4 blocks and I know it's going to take me a while as pushing that needle through, even with a thimble, gets tiring. I can well imagine how tough it would be to tack down a batik binding by hand!
Congrats on getting the binding on two done. I know your hand will probably be sore from pulling the needle. I have never been able to use a thimble and use a fingernail. I tried a few weeks ago in hand quilting to train myself and it was working. But then I am so slow with a thimble and not patient to be slow so off came the thimble!
Your quilt is beautiful! I love the bright centre! I know what you mean about hand sewing batik fabric. I don't use a thimble either. My middle finger is so calloused it's as if I have a permanent thimble attached to the end of my finger!
Very nice, I love the back too. I do use a thimble, but have to get used to it again every time as I don't use it very often. Batiks are definitely tougher to sew through, but are worth it.
Just gorgeous! Congrats on another finished quilt!
I'm the same way with thimbles. Just never got used to using one, but I do have a lot of heavy callouses on my middle finger. lol Thanks for the warning about using batiks for binding. I've never used them before, but it looks so stunning!
I just had to try this(I've never left a comment). when sewing bindings or anything else like batik, try using a little finger cott on your idex finger. It will grip the needle and it will go through like butter. You can buy them in the drug store by the box or bag. ( Nurses use them)
The batik I used for this binding was especially tough. I use a very thin needle, a small crewel embroidery needle, that has a long tapered eye instead of a round one (which makes the top of the needle fat) so threading is a "lot of fun" too, LOL. My fingers were so sore I didn't think I could stick with it but I did. I have never learned to use a thimble but my fingernails are very tough so I push the needle through with my thumbnail.
I'm just repeating this picture from a couple days ago so I will have them both in the same post when I look back into the archives for it some day. The Kaffe Fassett fabric was perfect for the back of this one.
I love this quilt, so simple yet so stunning
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilt!!
ReplyDeleteI tried a leather thimble because other thimbles drive me crazy, and I've been very happy with it. I have sewn on batik bindings with no problem. I've tried 2 kinds of leather thimbles, and I *much* prefer the small one to the one with a long piece down the finger and a bit of plastic or bone inside over the pad of the finger.
Oh, I love how this one glows!
ReplyDeleteIt feels terrific to finish a quilt, even though some might be more difficult than others. I am like you, never got used to using a thimble and my middle finger on my right hand has developed a callus from binding. But batiks are definitely more of a challenge.
ReplyDeletecan't imagine hand sewing without a thimble -- especially batik! my early fiber instructors were insistent on thumble usage -- which I found awkward -- but I'm ever so thankful now...
ReplyDeleteOh, I can imagine how tough the cloth can be, because I sewed the acrylic-painted patches. Sometimes I perforated them with the needle before I pulled the thread through. I'm getting a horny skin on thumb and first finger.
ReplyDeleteThis is so pretty, is it lighter in the middle or it that the flash?
ReplyDeleteBravo! What a beautiful quilt. Batik binding is painful business. Don't let that needle back up into your nail. Ugh! I don't use a thimble either, but I really like those little leather dots with the adhesive on the back. I keep it stuck to my scissors, so it's handy when I need it. It saves a lot of wear and tear on my finger. Give them a try.
ReplyDeleteThat backing is perfect for this quilt. Great photos, too.
Karen
Just stunning -- what an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteThe light play in this quilt is extraordinary! Just beautiful!!
ReplyDeleteThis is my new FAVORITE ... until the next one comes along. Your handwork, as always supreme.
ReplyDeleteJ~MT
I still use my thumb nail sometimes most of the time though I use my hand held paddle thimble. I love the quilt.
ReplyDeleteKaren
http://karensquilting.com/blog/
The glow in the centre of that quilt is fantastic!! I love it!!
ReplyDeleteI'm about to start piecing some hand dyes (the dyer uses cloth with a very fine thread count) with batiks. I need to make 4 blocks and I know it's going to take me a while as pushing that needle through, even with a thimble, gets tiring. I can well imagine how tough it would be to tack down a batik binding by hand!
Congrats on getting the binding on two done. I know your hand will probably be sore from pulling the needle. I have never been able to use a thimble and use a fingernail. I tried a few weeks ago in hand quilting to train myself and it was working. But then I am so slow with a thimble and not patient to be slow so off came the thimble!
ReplyDeleteEven though it gave you a sore hand, it is worth it as this quilt is stunning!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is beautiful! I love the bright centre! I know what you mean about hand sewing batik fabric. I don't use a thimble either. My middle finger is so calloused it's as if I have a permanent thimble attached to the end of my finger!
ReplyDeleteVery nice, I love the back too. I do use a thimble, but have to get used to it again every time as I don't use it very often. Batiks are definitely tougher to sew through, but are worth it.
ReplyDeleteWoW!
ReplyDeleteConsider me a fan of yours!
Just gorgeous! Congrats on another finished quilt!
ReplyDeleteI'm the same way with thimbles. Just never got used to using one, but I do have a lot of heavy callouses on my middle finger. lol Thanks for the warning about using batiks for binding. I've never used them before, but it looks so stunning!
Your quilt is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI just had to try this(I've never left a comment). when sewing bindings or anything else like batik, try using a little finger cott on your idex finger. It will grip the needle and it will go through like butter. You can buy them in the drug store by the box or bag. ( Nurses use them)
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is absolutely beautiful! I love how the light shines out from the center. Perfect!
ReplyDeleteLove the quilt! I always wash the fabric for the binding a couple of times and it seams to soften the fabric some.
ReplyDeleteI love this one. You do such amazing work
ReplyDeleteSmashing!
ReplyDelete