Doing any craft well is a combination of practice and having the proper tools. Hand quilting is no exception. It may not seem like quilting is a hobby that takes much equipment, but the few necessary items are extremely important to enjoying your new creative outlet. To hand quilt you will need the proper thimble, the correct needle, and a specific thread type, as well as the materials that are actually being sewn together. The right kind of thimble for hand quilting is one with large indentations that can support the eye of the needle so that the thimble can push the needle back through the fabric. Having the proper thimble will save you some sore fingers over the course of your quilting career. There are special needles that are designed specifically for tasks like quilting. These are called “betweens,” and they are small, short, and very sharp needles. They come in a range of sizes which are numbered, the larger the number the smaller the needle. Beginners should start with a needle around a size 7 or a size 8, and then work up to smaller size after some practice. The “betweens” needles go up to a size 12. There is also special thread for the purpose of hand quilting. If you use regular sewing thread it will run the risk of breaking off. While hand quilting thread doesn’t come in as many color varieties as regular sewing thread it is the best choice, especially for beginners. With these three simple tools correctly selected you can begin your quilt with confidence and enjoy it rather than being frustrated by broken threads, bulky needles, or bleeding fingers.
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