So . . . you may be aware that I'm headed out on a cruise to Iceland in just a few short weeks. The time is flying by and July will be here before we know it. It's exciting, but there are still a few details to be handled, and all that is coming along nicely.
A couple weeks ago, I prepared a supply list to accompany our hand-embroidery/wool applique project. Most everything is packed into the kits which will be shipped to the lucky ducks on the trip, but there are a few optional supplies.
Since our on-board project is wool applique sewn by hand with lots of opportunity for stitched embellishments, I suggested that folks might like to bring and thimble and a finger cot.
A question coming from one of the travelers (and it's a good question) was "What's a finger cot?"
A finger cot is a rubbery silicone thimble that you wear along with a thimble to enhance your grip on the needle. I am right-handed and I wear my thimble on my middle finger and my finger cot on my index finger at the same time, both on my right hand.
The thimble's job is to protect the finger that pushes the needle through layers of fabric. The finger cot improves the grip on the needle so I can more easily pull the needle through layers of fabric. One tool is for pushing and the other for pulling.
I learned about this handy little tool several years ago when a good friend (I'm looking at you, Shelly) told me about them. I had never heard of them before, and I've found that they can be difficult to find--quilt shops and needlework shops might be the best place to ask for them. Finger cots come in sizes from small to extra large (mine are large, shown above). They are made by several manufacturers, Bohin (like the one I use, pictured) and Clover, for example.
You may have seen folks at the bank or in a casino (places where counting a lot of paper money is involved) using a finger cot, but those tend to cover a larger finger area--not quite the same as what is more comfortable for stitching.
I don't use mine all the time, but it comes in handy for embroidery, hand quilting, and even hand-sewing the binding fold to the back of a quilt.
In other words, my finger cot helps me get a grip!
Do you use one?
Happy Stitching!
Head Hummingbird
Hummingbird-Highway.com
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