Shemjo, Yes, I use my thumb to push the needle away from me toward the front, where most quilters are pushing the needle either to the left or toward them if they are right handed. I use a black leather thimble on my thumb. I never could get used to the medal ones. If you push the end of your needle with your thumb too much without a thimble, it will get sore. You could use several wrapings of masking or painter's tape, or those little stick on pads you get at your LQS to try. Alex Anderson said that the muscles in your thumb are stronger than any of your fingers, and that is why one should try thumb quilting. If you can use both your finger and thumb to quilt, the idea is that you don't have to turn your quilting so much. I hope this answers your questions. IF you have more, I will try to answer them. :) Janis