I am just a beginner, but hooked on hand quilting none the less, I read all the theory first before starting out and tried thimbles and such and the spoon although I had no picture of how I should hold the spoon, I did read some where that I should stitch over the back part of the spoon. I did try it (dessert spoon) and in principal it worked but it felt too awkward and not comfortable at all. I have ended up with my own style of hand quilting which is, 'bare hands'! I use my very strong thumb nail to push through the needle and nothing on the fingers underneath. I did prick my fingers a few times but very soon learned how to feel for the needle and guide it back up through the layers without a thimble. I much prefer to feel what I am doing, even though I have tried a couple of times more with a thimble. I do not take too many stitches upon my needle at one time. I work with my fabric lose in the hoop.
Gal