I hand quilt without thimbles; I find using thimbles makes my stitches uneven and too large. I suffer the sore fingers for a day or two until I can quilt again. I took a lesson on a Gammill Longarm at a local shop and then rented time in order to get my four quilts ready for this Christmas. Finished last weekend. Whew! Working on potholders now, using up the leftover cotton batting.