I learned to use a thimble from my grandmother. On the middle finger of the right hand to push the needle through. When I began quilting, I had some very sore fingers on my left hand for some time, but I learned... my grandmother had a silver thimble that she had hammered to make a cup on top. It also has a hole in it from her trying to force a needle through that was loaded with too many stitches. I put a small piece of leather in there and that keeps me from ramming a needle into my finger. I also use the little steel buttons on my middle finger on the left hand. The needle glances off it as I quilt. I love my thimbles. I have tried them all, I think, and still prefer the one that is over 100 years old.
Anita in Northfield, MN