I tried it too, not with much luck - so I now use Clover leather thimble that is just a 1/2" leather band with a plastic support on the inside-leather on outside-needle never slips, thread never gets caught, and they are not bulky - they come 3/pk and I get them at Joann's-only a few dollars and I wait until the notions board goes on sale 40-50% off and load up! The # on the pack is Art No 612