Momma always said to use a thimble, but I never could seem to get the hsang of it. But, when doing my first hand-quilting, I really needed one. I bought a cheap plastic thimble that is open on the top side and little prong thingys that hold it on the finger.Itlets my finger "sit" in the thimble and my nail is open on top. It is the only thimble I can use.