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How to Quilt>Protect Your Fingers from a Hot Iron
Protect Your Fingers from the Hot Iron
Whether you are pressing seam allowances on binding, applique, or quilt blocks, when it comes to your iron, it's a good idea to have some finger protection to prevent burning fingers. This heat resistant finger protector is basically sock for your finger. It is made from high tech materials that will keep your finger safe from your hot iron. All you do is put the Cool Finger on your finger. It acts like a fingertip on a knit glove, and when you rub the hot iron against the Cool Finger, you can’t feel even a little bit of heat. Since Cool Fingers are made of a type of knit, you'll need to watch out for steam blasting from your iron since steam can penetrate the Cool Finger. To avoid the steam issue, simply use a dry iron to press out the seams or hold your appliqué in place. While using the dry iron, you will be able to guide the iron with your “Cool Finger” without getting burned. Then, use steam if you feel the need to, but be sure to keep your fingers out of the way. From what I can tell, the Cool Finger comes only in one size, and it is very loose on my first finger, which is the one I would normally use to hold a seam allowance open for ironing. Quilting daughter, Stephanie, suggested that you could buy a regular glove and cut the finger tip off for a better fit. I'm not sure about that, since I think maybe the space adds to the safety - but I could be wrong. “Cool Fingers” are available online from various outlets. They are currently priced around $5 per finger sock. Not a bad investment since you really only need one (to wear on the finger that is closely guiding your iron) and you’ll save yourself a scarring burn and lost quilting time!
Happy Quilting!
Penny Halgren www.How-to-Quilt.com
©2009, Penny Halgren This article courtesy of http://www.How-To-Quilt.com. You may freely reprint this article on your website or in your newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author name and URL remain intact.
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