I also love handquilting. I use the small round metal thimble that is attached by adhesive dots. It is called UltraThimble. I use it on 2 or 3 different fingers on the underhand. (only one finger at a time.) This way I keep my fingers from getting so sore, because I often have to use a bare finger when I go over a thicker spot as I quilt. It is difficult for me to keep a callous on my fingers because I quilt in spurts and they heal so quickly! I encourage anyone to keep at it - everything comes easier with practice, I used to watch my mother when she was my age and wondered how she thought it was fun, but life has hurried on and now she's 89 and I'm repeating the fun!!