Using the CNC Palm Thimble for Big Stitch Quilting

Posted on January 15, 2025 by Colonial Needle

It’s no secret that we have a special place in our hearts for scrappy quilting and we carry just as bright of a torch for hand quilting with sashiko style stitches. We have done our fair share of machine quilting on our domestic machine (as in our latest book Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza) but nothing comes close to the texture of a hand stitched sashiko style running stitch. For our last couple of projects, we have used the new palm thimble from Colonial Needle Company to make this process even easier and certainly more enjoyable for us. We certainly still use this versatile thimble for all of our sashiko projects and mending but it is a game changer for big stitch quilting. Paired with the John James long darners, and Presencia 12 weight thread held double, the combo is a hand quilter’s dream team.

Now you might want to sit down for this part because we are going to say something controversial.

But stick with us.

Here goes: we don’t like buying new fabric.

<insert gasps here>

We know… who doesn’t like perusing racks and aisles of freshly bolted fabrics in immeasurable variations of color, prints, solids, weave, and content types? We do like looking at them but purposely buying yardage is reserved for specific projects like garments and quilts that require a certain type of fabric or unifying fabric such as a single background color. But, when it comes to every day stitching and projects, we like to shop the flat fold and odd cuts section of our fabric store. More than once we have absolutely raided the clothing and fabric piles at tag sales and the 50¢ racks at thrift stores are not safe from us. Everything comes home and goes into a sanitizing wash and is pressed before disassembling into large pieces of flat fabric. This process of rescuing and repurposing found fabric is almost magical to us and we love the textiles they create.

Our latest joy has been working on our clothing quilts. We made a clothing quilt a while back for a charity auction and NEEEEEDED one of our own. For our personal clothing quilt, we sourced all of the fabric from our own garments which wasn’t exactly difficult considering we don’t throw away anything that even remotely resembles fabric. We sorted through bags and boxes of “old” clothes, the mending pile (from which we used anything that had been in there for longer than a year), and clothes that didn’t fit anymore or weren’t exactly suited to us anymore.

As a result, assembling and quilting this piece has been a walk down memory lane. That purple plaid flannel shirt that Shannon used to wear hiking when we took the Shibakidz everywhere with us. The stripped “designer label” button up that was a gift from one of us to the other when we were first married (that was thirty years ago, y’all) and both of us wore as a throw on top layer until it was pretty threadbare. Jason’s red western shirt he used to wear when we went dancing, the fancy shirt he used to wear to teach in. All of these bring back memories of times and places as we assemble them into new textile panels and create this quilt that will live with and beyond us.

The esthetics of this type of fabric cannot be ignored. The amazing feel of these newly created textiles as they move through our hands. The feel of the needle slipping through the layers of fabric and batting. The crinkle (if you know… you KNOW) of the fabric after a section of stitches are completed. And the weight and density of the layers of fabric and batting is like nothing else.

Overall, the process of making a clothing quilt is very different from a patterned quilt made using more traditional quilting cottons off the bolt. The top is pieced together with panels of individual framed improv motifs and larger sections of fabric as well as smaller scrap pieces tucked in to fill space. The back is large panels put together with as few seams as possible to make the quilting easier so the needle doesn’t have to go through too many odd seams at a time. The batting is organic cotton from Hobbs batting pieced together from leftover panels from our last quilting book. Every piece and seam is thought out and considered as part of the whole and serves to create the intricate decoration of the quilt but also is a meditative practice for us where we disregard any of the outside <waves arms about wildly> stuff-n-things that put our nerves on edge. We can, for a time, immerse ourselves in the physical sensation of the weight of the fabric, the feel of the fabric texture, and the ssshhhhhhp sound of the thread being pulled through the quilt layers.

Did this turn into a love letter to fabric quilts and hand stitching? Probably. Do we suddenly feel compelled to go sit and stitch on our quilt again? Definitely. So yeah… gotta go.

But seriously, we hope this inspires you to consider using found fabric for at least one project this year. There is so much joy in repurposing fabrics and in giving them new life while giving our planet a little bit of a break from just that much more fashion and textile waste. Now, really, it’s time for a cup of tea and some ssshhhhhhp, ssshhhhhhp.

– Shannon & Jason

*For a video tutorial of using the CNC Palm Thimble for Big Stitch Quilting, see our YouTube video:

Holiday Gifting For You or a Friend!

Posted on December 18, 2024 by Colonial Needle

The holiday season is officially here! Time to indulge in food, fun,music,friends, and—let’s be real—panicking over what to gift. If you’re anything like us, it’s that last part that causes a mini existential crisis as you try to figure out what that special person would actually enjoy.

A coffee mug? Sure, but they have thirty of those, and it’s doubtful one more is going to spark joy.

A fancy leather wallet? Great, except without cash inside, it’s basically a bad omen.

A new vacuum? Unless you’re trying to sleep on the couch this year, don’t go there…seriously, don’t.

So, what’s our go-to for holiday gifting?

We love giving (and receiving) crafting tools! Yep, they’re our secret weapon. And if you are here reading this, you definitely have amaker in your life and you searched “gifts for crafty people” or someone sent you this link as a *HINT*HINT*nudge. Giving tools and supplies for a specific hobby shows you actually get the person and want to support what they love doing. Plus, it’s a gift that’s both thoughtful and practical—no one’s going to end up with a drawer full of unloved tchotchkes. Whether your crafty friend is just starting out or has been a maker since they were kids,there are tools (a.k.a. grown-up toys) for all levels. The Colonial Needle Company has an amazing array to choose from, from beginner-friendly needle collections to fancy, advanced tools for the pros—perfect for taking their projects to the next level.

And unlike, say, a mousepad that will probably end up in a drawer, these gifts will be used. They actually help create something tangible and meaningful, which in turn makes your gift feel extra thoughtful. You’re not just gifting an item; you’re gifting a whole new creative adventure. What could be better than that?

Give a few of these as individual gifts in a stocking or goodie bag or go all in and grab them all and bundle them into a FAB gift basket for the maker in your life. Either way, they will love it!

Here are our favorites for 2024:

Gift-giving is one of life’s little joys, so don’t dread it. Have as much fun picking out the perfect tools as they’ll have using them!

Palm Thimble Debut!

Posted on November 18, 2024 by Colonial Needle

When we met the folx from Colonial Needle Company earlier this year, we were thoroughly impressed by the vast array of tools and notions they carried. Looking around their booth we saw they had just about everything any stitching enthusiast might want—needles of all types for every project imaginable, glue, thread, hoops, and so much more for making all the things.

However, there was one item we used in our day-to-day stitching that was missing: a palm thimble. The unassuming palm thimble was one of those items we both grew up knowing nothing about. It wasn’t until we began our journey into sashiko and boro that we discovered and fell in love with this underrated and often overlooked tool. Its usefulness in hand quilting, sashiko, boro,embroidery, and visible mending cannot be overstated; it’s a simple tool that produces remarkable results.

When the day came that Colonial Needle informed us they would be releasing a palm thimble at Fall Quilt Market, we asked them to send us a couple to try out. We were not disappointed. We put the new tool through rigorous testing including hand quilting on two quilts, sashiko stitching, kogin stitching, embroidering, and repairing torn jeans. The ring fits snugly on our fingers and allows us to grip fabric and maneuver needles with ease. Because the thimble plate rests in the palm of the hand, it allows us to apply greater pressure when pushing through multiple layers of fabric at once.

Oh yeah…and the adjustable part of the ring doesn’t dig into our fingers which allows us to keep stitching well past the end of the film we may or may not have just missed the ending of.

If, like us, you are are unfamiliar with the palm thimble, we recommend picking one up and giving it a try. To further incentivize you, we’re providing a free sashiko pattern for you to practice with, available here. Watch the associated video and use the John James Long Darner Needles that we use for all of our sashiko!

Remember, like any tool, it will take some practice to master the palm thimble, but once you do, you’ll find yourself reaching for it every time you pick up a needle!

STITCH ON!!

Shannon and Jason

Unleash Your Creativity!

Posted on October 9, 2024 by Colonial Needle

If you thought embroidery hoops were just for ummmm…hooping your embroidery…then just wait till you see what else these wonders of creativity can do!

If you’ve ever tried your hand at embroidery, you are no doubt familiar with the trusty embroidery hoop. With the WIDE range of styles and sizes available from Colonial Needle Company, you are definitely going to be able to find a hoop for maintaining fabric tension for everything from embroidery projects to mending to quilting. But did you know this tensioning tool can be used as a creative showcase for your textile and fiber art pieces?

Let’s chat for a minute about the many uses for this functional and decorative tool.

Three ways to use sewing hoops:

Stabilization and Tension

This is the first thing most of us think of when we consider the usefulness of embroidery hoops. And for good reason! Picture this: you’re working on a delicate embroidery design, and your fabric keeps sliding around like a high strung cat on a linoleum floor. Not ideal, right? No. And proper fabric tension is a must for hand quilting.

Without that smooth, taut surface, your hand quilting stitches become slow and cumbersome and uneven. Enter the embroidery hoop to secure and hold your fabric at your desired tension, making sure it doesn’t wriggle away from your stitches. It’s like having a personal assistant who holds your material steady while you focus on creating a masterpiece. No more wibbly wobbly fabric and wonky stitches—just smooth, precise stitching.

Beyond Embroidery

The humble embroidery hoop might just be the muse you didn’t know you needed. Its round shape invites creative thinking, encouraging you to experiment with circular yarn, thread, and fabric designs beyond just embroidery. Whether you’re crafting a mandala, weaving with fabric or yarn, creating an abstract quilted art piece, or a holiday decoration, the hoop provides a unique canvas that can spark new ideas encouraging you to think outside the (square) box.

Easy Framing and Display

When your artwork is complete, guess what? Your embroidery hoop doubles as a frame. That’s right—no need to scramble for an extra frame or worry about finding the right size
while digging through those piles and bins at the craft store…and don’t get us started with the prices of custom framing for projects. YIKES!

Create the perfect frame for your embroidery pieces, special fabric panels, extra quilt blocks, or that crochet lace you found in the attic. Just trim the excess fabric,or secure it out of sight behind the hoop, and voilà! Your art is ready to hang, gift, or show off on social media. Add a quick fabric wrap (watch our video for how we did that) or put on a quick coat of paint to create a custom frame minus the custom cost. Bonus points for looking effortlessly chic!

From enhancing precision in your hand stitching to serving as a charming frame to inspiring new creative projects, the benefits of using an embroidery hoop extend far beyond its traditional use. For additional information on how to identify the different types of hoops, how to prepare your hoop for stitching, and hoop use inspiration, check out our YouTube video here!

How have you used embroidery hoops in your crafting endeavors? Have we inspired you to take another look at how to use embroidery hoops? Tag us on social media so show us how you use Colonial Needle Company hoops!

A [Thimble] Crown Fit for a Queen!

Posted on July 30, 2024 by Colonial Needle

Hey folx! Shannon and Jason checking in.

Back in February, we had the pleasure of meeting the Colonial Needle Company team at Sew Expo. We chatted about reviewing their products and made it crystal clear—we’re all about honesty, no punches pulled so if we like a product, we will shout it from the rooftops and use it.

On the bustling Sew Expo show floor, they handed us packs of needles, various sewing tools, and what looked like tiny metal disks with dimples and sticky tabs. We’re all about toys for the sewing studio, but our first thought about those metal disks? “Okayyyy, not sure how this will play out, but let’s give it a whirl.”

Fast forward to May, and Jason, with his big mitts (no offense, J!), was tearing up the house looking for a thimble for sewing a label onto a quilt. Most thimbles on the market aren’t built for his large fingers. Then, lightbulb moment—we remembered those Thimble Crowns from Colonial Needle. We pulled them out of the box, applied the sticky dot, slapped one on Jason’s finger, and off he stitched. It was anyone’s guess how it would turn out.

So, real talk. For a long time, we have joked about starting a blog titled “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen… and now I can’t live without it.” If that blog existed, the Thimble Crown would be a star. Seriously, what a game changer!

Fit like a glove—err, crown—boosted his nimbleness and let him crank out even finer stitches (and trust us, his stitches were already A+). It upped his needle game, gave him more comfort, and let him tweak its position to suit his sewing style.

Shannon quickly jumped on board using the dimpled crowns for embroidery, quilting, and general hand sewing as well as EPP. See, Shannon has nails, she will not sacrifice her manicure to a full covering thimble. These little wonders were the PERFECT solution for her manicured fingers because they stay in place without interfering with the nails. Also, she tends to stitch using the side of her finger to push the needle and this little Crown Thimble stayed securely in place even on the inside edge of her middle finger. You can imagine this was an amazing little tool for rocker stitch quilting. Yup… she’s sold on them now too. Completely.

Both of us tested the Thimble Crowns on our middle fingers, knuckles—heck, even our palms for lighter sashiko stitching. It’s ace for most of our hand stitching gigs: basic sewing, embroidery, quilting, mending, you name it. Honestly, not sure how we coped without one all these years.

Colonial Needle offers a range of these thimble tips for different sewing jobs. Check ’em out and give ’em a whirl. Next up for us? We’re trying the Under Thimble and Thimble Dimple for some hand quilting. We’ll keep you posted!

Stitch On!

Shannon & Jason

When Disaster Strikes: Repairing A Thread Break

Posted on June 17, 2024 by Colonial Needle

We’ve all been through it: You have a favorite quilt, it’s been with you through thick and thin, more like a cozy confidante than a mere blanket. But suddenly, disaster strikes! A quilting line breaks, literally threatening the very fabric of your cozy companion. Now, you could take it to a professional, but is that really necessary? It’s like sending your best friend to therapy when all they need is a one-on-one chat over coffee. Hand sewing quilt repairs is like giving your quilt a little spa day—it’s personal, it’s intimate, and let’s face it, you get to bond with your quilt on a whole new level, whispering sweet nothings to it as you stitch, ensuring that it’ll keep you warm and cozy for many more slumber sessions and rainy afternoons to come. So, grab a needle and thread, and let the healing stitches begin!

Quilting lines break… regardless of what thread you use or the tension you stitch with, sometimes it just happens. And when it does happen, it’s a simple process to repair that line and keep the damage to a minimum. We re-check our quilts for thread breaks before cleaning or before putting them up for the season and make quick mends before they become bigger problems.

For this video, we were repairing a random quilting thread break from one of the quilts from our new book Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza before it shipped out for a trunk show.

How To Repair A Thread Break

Our Video Tutorial can be found here.

Tools Needed:

Thread pick or tweezers (for taking control of those unruly threads)
Sewing machine (for the fast and furious fix)
Matching colored thread (of course we’ll keep it stylish)
Needle threader (for those tiny eye-of-the-needle challenges)
Good hand sewing needles (because not all needles are created equal, dah-lings!)
– We use the John James Signature Collection Between, size 11. If you like Sharps better they will work great here too.

For quilts where one line of stitching has broken (i.e. the bobbin thread broke on the back as shown in our video) the steps are simple and straightforward as long as you take it one step at a time. First things first, let’s tie off the existing ends of the thread.

Now, onto the grand performance of quilt surgery!

1.Untangle Any Mess: On the backside of your quilt, delicately unpick the rebellious thread in both directions. We need enough thread to secure the line, tie a knot, and tuck it away discreetly—about 4–5 inches should do the trick.

2. Making the Cut: Cut the remaining thread on the top side of your fabric, again you need at least 4–5 inches, more if you can manage it… pull this through to the back. Thread both the top and bottom threads through your needle (needle threader to the rescue here) and finish the stitch on the backside, stitching through the back fabric alone.

3. The Disappearing Trick: Tie a knot roughly 1/4” from that last stitch. Then, like a skilled magician, make that knot disappear by inserting your needle into the fabric coming out an inch or two away from the insertion point and gently tug the end until the until the knot vanishes into the fabric. Snip off any excess thread and repeat the process for the other side. TA-DAA!

4. Time for Round Two: Now, let’s sew that quilting line back! Using a thread that matches the existing one, re-sew the quilt line, making sure to start and stop about 1 stitch length away from the original start/stop points. Leave plenty of thread for finishing touches and tying off—doing this last stitch by hand means your quilt fix will be invisible… even to your MIL or that one member of your guild who loves to point out everyone’s mistakes.

Bonus Tip: We always keep track of the fabric type and brand, the batting type and brand, and the thread brand, type, and color number. This allows us to make fixes later if necessary. It is not a bad idea to add a label to your quilts with this information on it… because who can remember where they put that notebook anyway? Which Dropbox folder was it in?

Label your quilts folx!

5. The Finishing Flourish: Finish the last stitch on the top by hand, then pull through to the back ensuring it cozies up next to the bobbin thread. Thread both top and bobbin threads through the needle, then tie them off with a knot or make a series of small backstitches next to the existing quilt line (it’s in the video), whichever tickles your quilting fancy.

6. The Grand Finale: Bury those thread tails like buried treasure, with or without a knot, and repeat the process for the other side. And just like that, your quilt is ready to snuggle into its rightful place—be it on your bed, on your favorite reading chair, or safely tucked away until its next grand adventure!

While you have that John James Signature Collection needle out, now would be a good time to add that quilt label we mentioned… just saying…

And there you have it, folx! Quilt repair made easy-peasy. Give this a shot with your next thread break and you’ll feel like a thread whisperer extraordinaire!

STITCH ON!!
Shannon & Jason

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Colonial Needle Creative Ideas Blog

A blog for ColonialNeedle.com

Category Archives: General Stitching