I use a thimble on my middle finger only - for pushing needle through. When I first started quilting I read everywhere that the quilt needs to be tight, well don't listen to that. I bent so many needles that way. I quilt is loose and the betweens have not bended as quickly. They do bend after a while just from using it for a long time. I mark as I go most of the time and I do not have a problem with that - I thread baste. As for the Aunt Becky tool - I have not been able to use it either. I need to feel the needle underneath the quilt - otherwise I can not catch the backing in the stitch. On curves I only take 1 or 2 stitches at a time. and I move my hoop around as I go. I only do 3 stitches at a time anyway. BTW, your quilting looks really good to me...