I make my own thimbles; it's quite easy. I purchase thin leather gloves at a thrift store, cut about an inch off the fingers (these tips are my new thimbles).The seam can be opened and hand resewn to fit your finger perfectly. Where the needle hits on the outside, I insert one of the clear plastic adhesive ovals (available in quilt stores) on the inside. I use the remainder of the glove to make side thimbles, which I use to hand piece, using the Jenny Byer method.