I love to handquilt - have never done a machine quilt - it's funny to see so many people 'braving' the handquilting. That's the way I feel about machine quilting - just haven't 'braved' it yet. :lol:
I use a metal thimble on my right middle finger (to the point that I have found myself leaving the house with it still on my finger!!) and nothing on my left (under the quilt hand) - as I want to be able to feel the needle coming through.
I use a handquilting thread. The brand/weight depends on the look I want.