I finally was able to get some help for my fingers..I went to the fabric store and the quilter's corner was just about out of everything but I did find one package of the quilting finger grips..They are for machine quilting but so far they are working for me and I am hand quilting :-D

WE hand quilters must be making a run on their supplies. I went to mine yesterday to get some "Thimble-It's" and they were out. I'll have to keep checking or order them online and pay the HUGE amount for shipping. Our fingers certainly need help from time to time!

I ended up using rubber finger cots to get grip + protection when hand sewing - cheap enough that I can get a new one if I wear an old one out, and plentiful that I just go to Staples to get more!

those are what I use too!!! Great inexpenise thimbles that really work for me