When I read your post I feel really sorry for you all because of your sore fingers. I must be a very lucky person because I don't have problems at all! Last year in February I gave up my job and started to be a full time hand quilter, so I actually quilt about 6 to 8 hours a day. I work without thimbles and other protective tools on both hands. Of course the callus is strong and this helps a lot. Do you think it's a question of the quilting method and how you guide the needle through the material?