Hum, I don't use thimbles. As everyone else has stated it has to be either a personal choice or you work at it till you get accustomed to it. For me, I'm impatient so I blew off the thimbles and now only use the little leather pads that have glue on the back of them. I go through them quickly, but I feel like I'm actually using my finger and never have my needle roll off. As far as quilting upwards , I just use my thumbs fingernail. It is what you get used to.