Roxanne Thimble Rant
Marcella Tracy Peek
square fingers and the regular thimbles "slant" too much on the sides, tip
when I try to quilt and dig into my finger and hurt. I like leather
thimbles until I wear a hole and then OUCH. So, I saved my pennies and
bought a thimble at PIQF.
The darn thing hurts. It squeezes my finger and digs a groove all the way
around. When I called Roxanne today (and finally got a person) she said
it's supposed to hurt. She will not exchange it for bigger one because
that wouldn't fit me right and will only let me return it.
Frankly, given that none of my phone messages were answered, and given how
rude the lady was I am not confident of ever seeing a refund check.
So, fess up you Roxanne thimble lovers - does yours dig a groove in your
finger. Is it really supposed to be painful to quilt? Anyone return
theirs and get a refund? I really don't want to just mail it off blindly.
thanks
marcella
LN
my finger. I also prefer the leather. I have a few holes in mine as well.
I've been told if you wet it, the holes will shrink up. I just wet one of
mine to see if it works. I'll get back to ya, it's still wet.
--
LN
Latest stuff: www.lnsobsession.eboard.com
"Marcella Tracy Peek" <marc...@peek.org> wrote in message
news:marcella-110...@imac.peek.org...
Kathy Riley
>it's supposed to hurt. She will not exchange it for bigger one because
>that wouldn't fit me right and will only let me return it.
Since when are thimbles supposed to hurt? I wonder if it wasn't sized properly
to begin with. At any rate, a customer should be taken care of to his or her
satisfaction, whether it means an exchange or a refund. I am tired of the poor
customer service ethic we seem to be bombarded with these days.
I have seen these thimbles at shows, and could not understand how anyone could
justify charging $40 for a thimble, when a Dritz or equivalent, properly sized,
and costing a couple of dollars does the job beautifully.
I also don't understand "the perfect stitch" thing when the backs, and some of
the fronts of their sample quilts are substandard work.
I suppose I'll get a lot of flack for saying that, but I don't think the public
should be talked into buying a product that does not produce magic results, and
then not be able to get decent customer service when not satisfied.
Kathy
"Work like you don't need money, love like you've never been hurt....and dance
like no one's watching !"
Linda Huff
I bought one at the Houston quilt show. Tried on several and the lady asked
me to try on the smaller size. When I told her it hurt and I wanted the
other size back she told me that it would be too big when I got it
home...that she was adjusting for heat and humidity and the lateness of the
day...and the fact that I had been on my feet all day and out of town eating
salty foods???? I had flown into Houston that morning and got to the show
at 10:30....I am on my feet all day everyday and do most of my quilting at
night like after 10pm. (She never did let me try on the bigger size again.)
Now in her defense the thimble is snug and fits pretty well during the
day...when I do not have time to quilt.(told her that) But in the evening
when I sit down to quilt it feels too tight...and that is in the winter with
the house temp around 68F. I am really afraid that I will not be able to
use it at all in the summer. (I also warm up the thimble in my pocket before
I put it on to quilt....that does make a difference)
My opinion is that the Roxanne people sell them too tight because they do
not want them to slip...I can see how this would be counter-productive. But
my grandmother always had several thimbles that she used to adjust for the
changes in her finger, the weather and what not.
I ended up exchanging mine because when I got home I realized that there
were holes in the end under the "fingernail" part of the thimble...they were
very prompt about sending a replacement in the same size...but they also
sent a nasty note telling me that the only way that those holes could have
gotten there was because I was using the thimble incorrectly (I only "used"
it on the floor at HQS!!! ) and that if I got holes in the same place again
they would not exchange it! Sorry ladies but it was a manufacturing
defect!!
In all I like the thimble but hate the company. I will go and buy another
one to use in the summer, but I will buy it a LQS where I can sit down and
use it at my leisure...I may go back several different times to test drive
them to see which one "I" think fits the best.
So I guess my advice to you is return it and then go to your LQS and pick
out "your" size.
Linda in IL
(who hates when there is a good product sold by a not so pleasant company)
Marcella Tracy Peek <marc...@peek.org> wrote in message
news:marcella-110...@imac.peek.org...
Judi Davis
>
>I bought mine at my LQS and returned it because it was VERY uncomfortable on
>my finger. I also prefer the leather. I have a few holes in mine as well.
>I've been told if you wet it, the holes will shrink up. I just wet one of
>mine to see if it works. I'll get back to ya, it's still wet.
I have pretty small fingers and use my forefinger to quilt with instead
of my middle finger, so I've always had a problem finding a good fitting
thimble. For the last few years I've been using the Clover coin thimbles,
and when they get a little stretched out, I put them in the little watch
pocket in my levis and run them through the washer and dryer. Tightens
them right up again. I can't take credit for discovering this - read
it in a magazine somewhere.
-- Judi
Judy Fearn
> I have seen these thimbles at shows, and could not understand how anyone could
> justify charging $40 for a thimble, when a Dritz or equivalent, properly sized,
> and costing a couple of dollars does the job beautifully.
That's what I thought until I tried a Roxanne thimble. It has to be
fitted properly, though. If your hands are swollen from weather,
walking around with your arms down at a quilt show, it may not fit
properly later. It should have a snug (but not painful) fit.
I've been laboring to hand quilt a queen/king log cabin quilt that in
which I used Warm and Natural for the batting. I've been having a
beastly time, bending needles, wearing holes in every leather thimble
and trying every Dritz or other standard thimble to get the best fit
and performance. The thimbles I tried were uncomfortable--even when
my fingernails were short, and painful when my nails grew. They
didn't have dimples deep enough to hold the needle as I rocked, and
every stitch was a struggle. With the Roxanne needle, most of that is
no longer a problem. In fact I'll probably buy another for those days
when my hand isn't puffy.
> I suppose I'll get a lot of flack for saying that, but I don't think the public
> should be talked into buying a product that does not produce magic results, and
> then not be able to get decent customer service when not satisfied.
I can't say that the original poster got the kind of customer service
I'd expect, but at least for me, the Roxanne thimble (and Roxanne
needles) has made a big difference in the size and quality of my hand
quilting. More importantly, it has reduced the frustration with and
increased my enjoyment of the quilting process. Worth the $40 to me.
Judy in MN
Kathy Riley
>which I used Warm and Natural for the batting. I've been having a
>beastly time, bending needles, wearing holes in every leather thimble
>and trying every Dritz or other standard thimble to get the best fit
>and performance.
It's been my experience that Warm and Natural is not a hand quilting batting
due to its density, and that it is better suited to machine quilting. Hand
quilting should never be a chore, or require any struggle at all.
But at least your thimble got you through it, and that is all that matters.
Ida Tendam
"unswollen" fingers.
I've met Didi McElroy and I find it hard to believe she would be nasty to
anyone. Have you tried e-mailing her from her website:
http://www.thatperfectstitch.com/index.htm
The thimble should be snug, but shouldn't wear a groove in your finger.
Ida
taria
Keep a close eye on it cause it is old and I doubt I could ever find another.
Most of my favorite thimbles are a tad big when my fingers are not swollen.
DD has some stuff called 'gorilla snot'. A touch of that stuff and a thimble
will hang on to your fingers. She gets the stuff at guitar center. Might
be worth a try for a thimble that almost fits.
Taria
Judy Fearn wrote:
--
Please visit Taria's Sewing Machine & Quilting Page:
http://www.hughes.net/taria/highdesert/index.htm
See my new Siberian Cat at:
http://www.hughes.net/taria/lillypage/cat.html
Ellison
Bull-sqwatchy!
If it hurts, it's the wrong size!!
I'm surprised at the way this thimble thing has turned
into some kind of rocket science theory---
it's a THIMBLE for goodness sake!! No science to it.
As others have pointed out, our fingers do change
size thru'-out the day, so I keep a couple of different sizes
of thimbles available (and I quilt all day, almost every day).
No pain!!
My thimble is a ceramic "collectible" I found at Pier 1 Imports,
about 17 yrs. ago; I bought 5 of them at $1 a piece.
My fingers are rather long and blunt, wide at the ends, and
I don't have fingernails to brag about. I like a thimble that
is rather straight towards the closed end, wide enough for my
finger to get in there, just tight enough to stay on. I have some
of the cheap "silver" thimbles, use them if I have to, and I've
found a couple of other "collectible" thimbles that work just fine,
w/ dimples deep enough to help the needle.
That's all the science there is to it, tho': just find a thimble that
works for you, and if you have to pay *that* much money for it,
they by-golly ought to give you your money's worth in service!
--
Ragmop--shaking my head at the things "they" come up with ;-P
"Marcella Tracy Peek" <marc...@peek.org> wrote in message
news:marcella-110...@imac.peek.org...
Mocha
shop owner about the Roxanne thimbles. She says quite often people have to
come in and trade up or down in size until they find the best fit. It's like
a shoe, not all size 7 feet find all size 7 shoes comfortable, we are all
individual and I think if you can find a thimble that is comfortable and
works for you then that is the one for you. Some of us have joint and RSI
problems and find different approaches to quilting easier so if it works,
great. I don't think any shop owner has the right to be rude to any
customer. We have had two fabric shops in our small town close down just
because guild members didn't like the owners.......it pays to be nice to
your customer. And if I was unhappy with something I bought, I would take it
back and I would make sure I came away satisfied. Don't give up and maybe
contacting the designer on her website would be the best way to
go........good luck..........
--
mocha
---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
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SEBass
Why don't you take it back to where you purchased it and ask for a larger
size?
Suzanne
Houston, Texas
Marcella Tracy Peek wrote in message ...
SEBass
recommend you take your thimble by a Roxanne booth at the next opportunity
and talk to someone there. You can always speak a little louder, especially
if there is a crowd.
Suzanne
SEBass wrote in message ...
Marcella Tracy Peek
<seb...@flash.net> wrote:
> OOPS - my mistake. It looks like you bought it at a quilt show. I
> recommend you take your thimble by a Roxanne booth at the next opportunity
> and talk to someone there. You can always speak a little louder, especially
> if there is a crowd.
>
> Suzanne
That's pretty good :-) I am heading up to SF next week to the shop
there. I believe that she sells the thimbles, so I will ask the owner if
it would be easy for her to do the exchange for me. If not, then I guess
I will wait until the next show to roll around. Or maybe I will get brave
and call again....or maybe not. I'm so decisive today.
marcella
Debbi-Northern Ohio
perfect stitches until I took the plunge and spent the forty bucks for her
thimble. I was after a thimble that let me use the ball of my finger for
comfort and not the top of my finger. I have taught numerous classes and
find that students can quilt longer and more consistent with the ball of
their finger rather than the very top. Just my opinion and would also like
to say that I have seen Kathy give loads of great advice here on ng.. Don't
give her any of that flack she was talking about.
--
Debbi
Northern Ohio
Kathy Riley <katq...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20010111141757...@ng-mm1.aol.com...
Kathy Riley
>to say that I have seen Kathy give loads of great advice here on ng.. Don't
>give her any of that flack she was talking about.
LOL...thanks, Debbi. The beauty of this NG is that everyone is entitled to
their opinion. I realize that not everyone will agree with me. That was just
my experience wih the thimble in question. It didn't fit me, and I though it
was too expensive, etc.
I think quilters should use whatever they are comfortable with that will give
them the results they want. I just don't like poor customer service, or to
see people being taken advantage of in any scenario. Brings out the "mother
hen" in me....<grin>
Peggy
pretty good but gave me a fungus that cost me over $100.00 for a skin and
nail specialist plus lost my nail.
taria <ta...@hughes.net> wrote in message
news:3A5E18D3...@hughes.net...
Chickenlady
love it! IT is the perfect size for my finger (I have had problems finding
thimbles in our local shops as I have small hands and normally the ones that
they have in stock are too large), it has a rounded top and nice deep
dimples - just what I need - not that I do much hand quilting now that I
have learned to machine quilt, but I have got into the habit of using my
thimble for most sewing - feels strange without it.
Chicken
Ellison <Elliso...@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
news:CXp76.57$Ep3....@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
Judy Fearn
> Judy wrote:
> >I've been laboring to hand quilt a queen/king log cabin quilt that in
> >which I used Warm and Natural for the batting. I've been having a
> >beastly time,
> It's been my experience that Warm and Natural is not a hand quilting batting
> due to its density, and that it is better suited to machine quilting. Hand
> quilting should never be a chore, or require any struggle at all.
LOL!
AMEN! But I was a beginner and didn't know any better. :)
> But at least your thimble got you through it, and that is all that matters.
That's the key to the whole thing, isn't it? Each of us needs to find
what works best for ourselves (but I have to confess I would have
liked to "test drive" that thimble before plopping down the $$$ for
it). If in inexpensive thimble, a leather thimble, or Grandma's
silver thimble works best, use that. If some other device works and
makes ya happy, go for it.
Judy in MN
wondering if I'll ever find time to finish quilting that beastie quilt
Judy Fearn
> DD has some stuff called 'gorilla snot'. A touch of that stuff and a thimble
> will hang on to your fingers. She gets the stuff at guitar center. Might
> be worth a try for a thimble that almost fits.
> Taria
Thanks, Taria. I'll have to find some of that gorilla snot. :) I'd
also like to find an old sewing machine drawer (and the cabinet and
treadle it goes in) to put my Model 66 Red Eye in. Found the machine
at an antique shop for $35. Some heathen hung a tan motor on it, but
I'd like to return it to its natural splendor. The decals are in
terrific shape, but I haven't tried sewing with it yet.
Judy in MN
Chickenlady
wonders! If there are other potential customers around, any seller/service
provider will not want them to know that someone is not satisfied with the
service that they are getting . just remember - don't shout, be abusive or
annoy them too much, and try asking quietly first - if they will sort out
the problem without you having to resort to this it is always better- you
don't want to cause more problems for yourself - but saying in a reasonably
loud voice "I am not happy with the fit of this thimble I have bought from
you, why won't you exchange it for one that fits me properly" should get a
few heads turning and get you the service that you want.
I last used this approach in the bank when they had made a mistake on my
account and refused to rectify it - a few "loud" words of complaint, and
they were falling overthemselves to sort out the problem and appologise to
me.
Chicken
SEBass <seb...@flash.net> wrote in message
news:z1t76.2722$J%.277763@news.flash.net...
LN
carry them now and they will let you try them and return them. As long as
you don't damage it while you have it. Make sure you give it a good going
over before leaving the shop.
--
LN
Latest stuff: http://www.lnscreations.eboard.com
"Judy Fearn" <judy.fearn...@home.com> wrote in message
news:3A5F1109...@home.com...
LN
condom and then put the thimble back on.
--
LN
Latest stuff: http://www.lnscreations.eboard.com
"taria" <ta...@hughes.net> wrote in message
news:3A5E18D3...@hughes.net...
Ellison
The disgustingly nicknamed "gorilla snot" is a
spray adhesive developed for the automotive industry
for repairing a car's headliner (that upholstery that
goes over your head and starts to droop when the
car gets older). I live with 3 guys who often mention
this stuff, and always have a can of it in the garage,
next to the duct tape and the WD40. *sigh*
Car guys!
Of course, these wonderfully versatile tools come
in handy for quilting, too. How many of us have a roll
of duct tape in the the sewing area?
--
Ragmopnews:3A5F11D2...@home.com...
Marcella Tracy Peek
masking tape to pick up stray threads.
marcella
In article <AyG76.940$LZ1....@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net>,
frood
myself a Duct Tape Double ( http://www.leanna.com/DuctTapeDouble/ ), but
since I didn't want a maternity dummy, I had to wait until I quit getting
pregnant! In the interim (seems like forever), DH took the rolls into his
tool area, never to be heard from again - the tape, not DH.
I do still have 2 different widths of masking tape, though.
When Ragmop spoke, these pearls of wisdom spewed forth...
> Howdy!
> snip<
> Of course, these wonderfully versatile tools come
> in handy for quilting, too. How many of us have a roll
> of duct tape in the the sewing area?
> --
> Ragmop
>
--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/
If A equals success, then the formula is A equals X plus Y plus Z, where
X is work, Y is play, Z is keep your mouth shut.
-- Albert Einstein
Kathy Riley
>masking tape to pick up stray threads
I don't use masking tape OR duct tape to pick up stray threads. My clothing
works just fine for that <grin>.
Kathy....feeling very silly in Holbrook NY
nom...@spam.com
up, begins to eat right and looses weight. It can be scary seeing your
double! Christina
CANDCMOM2
Peg
MAmadurk
again and this would be so much fun!!!
MAmadurk
nom...@spam.com wrote in message <3A5F50AE...@spam.com>...
frood
http://www.leanna.com/DuctTapeDouble/
there is another method, using packing tape - the kind you need to wet.
http://www.taunton.com/th/features/fitandfabric/clone/5.htm
Each method involves getting a partner to help. DH offered, with that
look in his eye. We now have twins. ; )
When jd...@frontiernet.net spoke, these pearls of wisdom spewed forth...
> LOL!!! Is there a website for this? My "fat club" is about to start meeting
> again and this would be so much fun!!!
>
> MAmadurk
>
>
--
taria
Just have to do a lot of looking sometimes to find the
right one.
Nothing prettier than a nice red eye.
Taria
> Thanks, Taria. I'll have to find some of that gorilla snot. :) I'd
> also like to find an old sewing machine drawer (and the cabinet and
> treadle it goes in) to put my Model 66 Red Eye in. Found the machine
> at an antique shop for $35. Some heathen hung a tan motor on it, but
> I'd like to return it to its natural splendor. The decals are in
> terrific shape, but I haven't tried sewing with it yet.
>
> Judy in MN
--
taria
Our fingers are all fixed!
Taria
taria
When a headliner in the car goes it is time for a new car around
here ; )
Taria
Ellison wrote:
--
Sue
--
Sue (tongue firmly in cheek)
four...@home.com
"Chickenlady" <Chick...@sutcliffe88.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:93moi6$kfb$1...@news8.svr.pol.co.uk...
SEBass
beautiful costume he made, then off to another costume site. Even found a
place to order a custom fit corset pattern. A must for some of the earlier
costumes.
Sigh.... some day I would love to venture off into the world of period
costumes.
Thanks for the DTD site, Wendy.
Suzanne
frood wrote in message ...
judybear
http://www.taunton.com/th/features/fitandfabric/clone/1.htm
and
http://members.nbci.com/rsg0910/dtd.html
--
Judy Bear, Founder
Cancer Survivors On Line
webm...@cancersurvivors.org
http://www.cancersurvivors.org
judy...@msn.com
ICQ# 4698216
MAmadurk <jd...@frontiernet.net> wrote in message
news:93nl0o$nfo$1...@node17.cwnet.frontiernet.net...
judybear
everytime her DDT catches her eye.
--
Judy Bear, Founder
Cancer Survivors On Line
webm...@cancersurvivors.org
http://www.cancersurvivors.org
judy...@msn.com
ICQ# 4698216
<nom...@spam.com> wrote in message news:3A5F50AE...@spam.com...
MAmadurk
realized it was there. Guess I automatically ignored it like it was an
advertisement or sumpthin'!!
Thanks!
MAmadurk, hanging head sheepishly!
frood wrote in message ...
MAmadurk
proverbial plateau I can just show up armed with duct tape and scissors!!
MAmadurk
judybear wrote in message ...
nom...@spam.com
need twins, but I sure would like to see that look in his eye <g>
Christina
<sniped so you know what I am talking about>
> >there is another method, using packing tape - the kind you need to wet.
> >http://www.taunton.com/th/features/fitandfabric/clone/5.htm
> >
> >Each method involves getting a partner to help. DH offered, with that
> >look in his eye. We now have twins. ; )
> >
> >>
> >>
> >
vze2...@mail.verizon.net
Sometimes when I get up, I forget to take the thimble off and find myself
wandering over to the phone or to do some chore with my thimble on. I did
return at least two to my LQS until I found the right size. One was too small,
one was too large and slipped off. Finally I found one that fit just right. I
know my LQS is more expensive than TSWLTH or the internet, but I can feel the
fabric before I buy it, I can make sure the color is just right, and I can try
several thimbles or other notions until I find what's right for me. That's a
better deal in the long run, IMHO.
Jane in MA
LN
didn't pay any more.
--
LN
Latest stuff: http://www.lnscreations.eboard.com
<vze2...@mail.verizon.net> wrote in message
news:3A5FE424...@mail.verizon.net...