I,too, had trouble using a thimble until I bought one made by Tommie Lane. They are custom made for your finger. It has an opening for my fingernail and dimples in the top of the thimble. Also, you can get the plastic tape that is used in the doctor's office for drawing blood from your vet as well. I have seem rolls of them for sale in some shops as well. The plastic does work well; it does not puncture easily. You could also put a dot under the tape before you wrap your quilting finger. Use a finger cot on your "pulling finger" to help guide the needle through the quilt. I use both my thimble and the finger cot for ease in quilting. I quilted a white qedding quilt, very elaborate, with feathers, etc. and it turned out very well using my thimble and my finger cot. If you can't find finger cots, go to the hospital pharmacy and buy them--much cheaper than buying 3 at a time from a dealer. ( I give my quilting students one for their first quilting lesson.