Each of us is different.
I enjoy being able to drive a 5-speed standard car! I can also drive an automatic, and now that I am in my golden years, I drive an automatic transmission car by choice. Each of us is different, has different skill levels, interests, gifts and abilities. Those skill levels might change over time for one reason or another.
Get set for success.
When I was a little girl, my dad was my fishing buddy. He helped me catch fish by teaching me how to use a cane pole, how to bait a hook with a worm, wait patiently and set the hook when I felt a tug on the pole and the fishing line went straight. My dad and others were my first and best teachers. They taught me how to use tools, gave me tops, and taught me techniques for fishing, cooking, ironing, planting and so many other things. As a classroom teacher for 37 years, it was important for my students to set them up for success by discovering each child’s individual strengths, gifts, and talents and focusing on them. I also enjoyed finding adaptive devices tools, and tips to assist children who had specific difficulties.
Each of us is at our own personal level/stage of hand sewing as well: a “wanna be,” or beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Colonial Needle Company has exceptional quality and diverse tools to fit the needs of all levels of hand stitchers. Learning to use these tools properly will enable hand stitchers to enjoy the process as well as the finished products of hand sewing.
Over the years, I have heard hand stitchers say they do not use a thimble, or do not hand sew any more because their hands and fingers hurt. Arther-itis lives in my hands, but thankfully I have no pain and can sit and stitch for hours when I use these wonderful unobtrusive tools and tips I have learned and practiced over the years. I will offer you information about fingertip tools, tips, and techniques for using them that just might enhance your hand sewing pleasure and assist in your finished products.
Needle Grip-It
The very first thing I do before I even begin hand sewing is to adhere two Needle Grip-It circles to the forefinger and thumb of my dominant sewing hand. To do so, since I am right-handed, I pinch the forefinger and thumb of my right hand as if I am holding a needle in preparation for inserting it into fabric. I then separate my finger and thumb, and look for circle indentations in each and press a circle of a Needle Grip-It on the tip of my forefinger and thumb. These wonderful adhesive circles are so unobtrusive and so helpful. The repetitive motion of inserting, gripping, and pulling a needle through fabric can, over time, cause pain in one’s fingers and hands. Whenever I am teaching a hand sewing class of any kind, I’m sure to provide a sample to my students. There are 70 self-stick dots in each package. In addition to reducing hand pain, they help with control of the needle.
Thimble It
For newbies and or those hand stitchers reluctant to use a thimble, I highly recommend a self-stick oval Thimble-It. By the time you use the 64 ovals in a package, you probably will have developed enough muscle memory to advance to the next level of finger protection for hand sewing. These little ovals are best placed on the rounded surface tip middle finger of your dominant hand. A good technique for hand sewing using a thimble is to push the eye of the needle with the side of your finger, rather than downward motion with the end of your finger. This helps reduce pain and allows for greater precision of needle placement. I especially like to have these adhesive ovals handy when teaching beginners as well as those who might be reluctant to use a thimble.
Thimble Pad
Colonial Needle’s Thimble-Pads work like a thimble, with a snug fit to the side of your fingertip. They work like a dream, reducing stress on your fingertips and assist with accuracy of needle placement. Made of real leather, each one of the 12 Thimble-Pads in a package is strong and flexible.
Another alternative fingertip tool. Made of stainless steel with tiny molded “dimples,” a Thimble-Crown offers perfect needle control, allowing the hand stitcher to push needles in at any angle, allows better control, and stitch faster. The raised edge of each Thimble-Crown prevents needle slips. Each package includes one stainless steel thimble and 8 adhesives. Not to worry about running out of adhesive circles. Keep reading for the solution…
Thimble Dimple
A beginning hand stitcher soon learns that the under-hand fingers become sore as they feel the sharp point of the needle with every stitch. Also made of stainless steel, the raised edge of the Thimble Dimple serves as a rim of protection for your under hand, whether you are a newbie or experienced hand stitcher. The raised edge also allows for greater needle control by preventing needle slips, therefore helping one to sew faster and more accurately. Each Thimble Dimple package contains one stainless steel thimble and 8 adhesives.
Under Thimble
Just as some of us prefer “real coffee” as opposed to decaf, an Under-Thimble is another option for providing protection for the stitcher’s under hand; thereby no more pain from needle sticks, increased speed of stitching, and producing small even stitches. Also, this package contains one stainless steel thimble for the tip of the hand stitcher’s finger and 8 circular adhesive circles for attaching.
Ultra Thimble
Ultra Thimble offers the hand stitcher options: it can be used on the middle fingertip of the stitcher’s dominant sewing hand. Or, it can be used on the middle finger of the stitcher’s under hand. Or, with two, one can be used as a thimble and a second one on the under hand all at the same time, thereby protecting the upper and/or under hand. Ultra Thimble provides needle control, and is comfortable and secure due to circular adhesives in the package. A package of Ultra Thimble contains one thimble made of stainless steel with dimples plus 8 circular adhesives.
Adhesive Replacements
Thank you for your patience and perseverance, as this is the place to learn about obtaining those little sticky circles that attach the previously described tools to your fingertips. Colonial Needle has available adhesive dots that can be used again and again! Each package of Adhesive Replacements contains 8 adhesive circles. Detailed instructions on the back of the package are helpful in applying each adhesive. A few minutes and a little patience are required. Sounds like cookie break time to me…
More product information is available by going to www.colonialneedle.com.
Additional tips and techniques:
- Placing a pillow on my lap while hand sewing helps relax me hands and arms, and allows me to enjoy hand stitching even more.
- Taking breaks while hand sewing also enhances one’s sewing process.
- A good light source right over the area being hand stitched is helpful, as is a lighted magnifier.
- As with a learning set, making a “nest”, one’s personal private space for hand sewing allows one to spend a few found minutes or longer doing what one so enjoys doing.
- Whenever someone comments positively about your show and tell, instead of pointing out your “mistakes” just kindly say “thank you”. Remember, be kind to yourself!
- Take a newbie under your wings and set her/him up for success.
- Assist a golden years stitcher with these adaptive fingertip tips to all her/him to continue doing what is such a joy.
Happy sewing,
Judy Moore Pullen