I use a metal thimble with a rim around the top for hand quilting. Since I taught myself how to hand quilt - I found a thimble that fit - and found that putting it on my ring finger worked the best for me. I just couldn't manipulate the needle with the thimble on any other finger. And since I was teaching myself...there was no one to tell me that it wasn't the correct thing to do! Anyway, this is how I have always quilted and I have hand quilted 20-25 quilts in years past. The other thing that I do is put a rubber finger tip or the tip cut off a rubber glove on my index finger. It helps me grip the needle and makes my hand less tired.
Oh yeah, and I am left handed - I taught myself to do all sorts of things creatively - you should see me knit and crochet -
