Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

floozette — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 23:36:11 GMT

Both my grandmother and my mother sewed beautifully and both used thimbles, but could they ever get me to use one? No. Way.

And now of course I regret that I didn't persevere with the thimble when I was a child because I still find it impossible to sew with one. Are there any particular types that are easier than others? I would love some advice, truly. I have tried the metal ones with indentation in the base and the ones that are like rings that go over the end of your finger (obviously designed for those with long nails) but they still don't last long. My best 'thimble' is a pair of pliers to pull the needle through, lol.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

PennyB@10 — Sat, 16 Feb 2013 09:40:55 GMT

Do you know the name for a collector of thimbles? I know as I am one. I rarely use a thimble but have a collection of three hundred thimbles.

A thimble collector is a digitabulist.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

Sharon Elizabeth — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 04:03:05 GMT

I always use a thimble probably because that was how I was taught as a chld. I've also inherited one from a very dear friend who passed away a coupl of years ago.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

sewingsavessanity — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:44:32 GMT

I loved your post about your grandmother's thimbles!! I have a silver one of my grandmother's that I cherish. Every time I use it, I think of her and how happy I am that I found this wonderful creative outlet. What a gift! It is very uncomfortable for me to try to sew without a thimble. It's kind of like driving without a seat belt. In the winter my fingers shrink a little and it falls off sometimes. Not the case in summer! My grandmother did not have that many thimbles, but she had handkerchiefs by the dozen! When I left for school, she always asked if I had a hankie. If I said no, she made me open her top dresser drawer. There they were, all lined up, ironed and lavender scented!

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

FuzzyWhiskers — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 23:20:59 GMT

Sometimes I use a thimble, sometimes I don't. I too have a collection of thimbles, some from my grandmothers, some are my own. I think my mom used one on occasion but I couldn't say where it might be. There are occasions where I put one on my finger and then use a different finger to push the needle through. I also find my fingers aren't the same size every time. And when I hand quilt, I put a thimble on my "under" finger to rock up the needle. Never did develop the tolerance to keep jabbing a sore finger until it was callused.

When I had my carpal tunnel repaired and my shoulder surgery, I gave a silver monogrammed thimble to my orthopedist because I have a very nice invisible scar on my hand. I appreciate that.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

kitkat1223 — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:40:11 GMT

I often use a thimble for hand sewing and my husband always does, but he is usually sewing leather.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

AnnE@34 — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:51:54 GMT

I've been using thimbles since I first learned to sew years ago and have several, but now have trouble finding one to fit....my finger has changed shape and no longer fits a regular round metal one. So..I've whacked one with a hammer to change it to an oval shape. Also made one from an old leather glove.

Ann

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

quiltas — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:42:29 GMT

Great story! My mother (who was not a quilter but sewed out of necessity) and my grandma (Who wore holes in her thimbles just mending socks!) tried for twenty years to get me to use a thimble. Not until I learned to quilt did I finally realize that a thimble is a helpful tool! Three years ago I inherited their thimbles. Now I wear one even when I don't seem to need it.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

Anne Dempsey — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 17:18:00 GMT

I love handsewing with thimbles. It's something I learned from my grandmother and great aunt, from whom I learned to sew, as well as my mother.

I have a small collection of decorative thimbles, as well as a fair number of functional thimbles, as well.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

pjmockit — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 15:08:25 GMT

I could never find a thimble that felt right. I have some from my mom and grandmother. My goal is to start hand-stitching again, so I'm going to attempt to find one that is comfortable to use.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

sueqt — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:59:45 GMT

One of my favorites is meant to be used by lacemakers on the side of the finger according to my late aunt who worked in a lace mill when she was young. It is made of silver.

Sue

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

Pat Bidol — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:50:21 GMT

I use a thimble for several reasons including that is how I was taught when I was a little girl and I think it gives me more control when I am handstitching on severa layers. I also often use my grandmother's thimble.

re: Make a Vintage Valentine with Hand Sewing Techniques

monkey1 — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 13:47:15 GMT

I laughed at your story of thimbles, as it was so true of me. I have inadvertently scratched my face with my thimble. Several years ago I had the good fortune to get a box at an auction of a well known quilter. In the box was a collection of thimbles from around the world! I have thimbles set with gem stones and some have beautiful silver work. Best thing, I paid $10.00 for the lot! Thanks for the smile.