I use Thimble Pads, the leather pads that adhere right to your finger. They're reusable; I get 6-8 reapplications out of them before the adhesive starts to fail. When I need to really pull the needle through several layers of fusible web or if I'm working with perle cotton embroidery, I add one to my thumb so I can grip the needle easily. It's never failed to work easily and smoothly for me. And I have never had a needle go through the pad, no matter how hard I pushed or how small the needle. Love 'em!