I use my middle finger for my thimble, I use a leather thimble with a metal insert in it. I have 2 of them and both have been super glued several times ,
and I switch between my middle and pointer underneath the quilt. If I haven't been hand quilting for awhile, I know they are going to be sore for awhile. I do get callouses on them, and sometimes have to take a emery board to them and file them down some. I have tried everything for them, but in the end , I just have to feel that needle. LOL