Thread: thimble thimble whos got the thimble

My first thimble was one my Grandmother used to teach me hand sewing and quilting. The problem was that I have a big bump on the side of my finger and the thimble made my finger sore. My Grandfather made me a leather thimble that fit and didn't wear on the bump. I have use leather thimble ever since. I would try on several and see what works for you.

I must have over a dozen different thimbles. When I was at a quilt show in Walla Walla, WA, I saw the Clover thimble with the rubber or neoprene on it demonstrated, so I decided to buy and try. I love it! It stays on very well. The only drawback I've noted is that sometimes my thread gets caught in between the metal cap and the rubber, so I have to be careful or it will unthread from my needle.

I have an expensive, silver Thimblelady thimble, and gel ones, and leather ones, little stainless steel pads that stick to your fingers, etc, etc. I have found that a cheap metal thimble works as well as any of them. The secret is in how you hold the needle to the thimble when using it. I put the needle on the "side" of the thimble when sewing and using the tip of the thimble when pushing the needle through the fabric. I don't know if that explains it very well but it is the technique more than the thimble. I had tried years to use thimbles and always thought that it had to be the thimble and not my technique using it. It seems so simple. I was watching a lady in one of my groups using one and just sat and watched her. I realized how she was manipulating the needle on the thimble.
So one day, as I was sewing on a binding and it just clicked to use the needle on the side of the thimble and the flat, dimpled end to push through the fabric like my friend was doing and lo, I was finally using a thimble!! Hope that helps. Try not to spend lots of money on thimbles, the cheapy ones work fine once the technique is figured out...

A thimble is worth learning to use, I promise. You will be able to sew through much thicker items, and you won't have a sore finger, which I can guarantee if you don't use a thimble. The thimbles with openings, usually on one side of the top to make room for your nail, are often more comfortable since your finger doesn't get as hot. And, the little leather dots are very good, too, because the dots stay on for a long time, and they can be saved for the next sewing session if you put them somewhere easy to remember. The way I made myself use a thimble was to buy an expensive (to me) Roxanne thimble, and then I had to justify it by using it all the time!

I use an UltraThimble to protect my under finger and an open ended thimble on my upper hand. It is made by Clover and has two bands that fit around the rest of your finger that you can adjust to fit. I also use my pointy finger sometimes and this thimble works great.

Just checking - you are using a thimble that has a flat end with a ridge on it, right? That's to hold the needle as you're pushing it through several up and downs. It took me forever to learn to get the thread end of the needle in that ridge area (I kept using the side of my finger - the middle finger), but once getting it down, my stitches got smaller and much more even. As to grasping the thread, I use the little round balloons with the "neck" cut off and put one over my index finger. Works like a dream and I have a lifetime supply for a buck!

Don't feel bad - I wish I could recommend something to you, however, I never mastered using a thimble, because every time I put one on, I would use another finger. Oh well, I tried. Good luck though as I wish I could have learned.

I have never mastered the thimble. I have tried plastic, metal and leather but I can't stand it when my finger feels sweaty.

I learned a long time ago when I started hand sewing what thimble to use and on what finger. A few pokes and drops of blood taught me. I keep my thimbles nearby. Have about 3 of 7 different kinds.