A thimble is worth learning to use, I promise. You will be able to sew through much thicker items, and you won't have a sore finger, which I can guarantee if you don't use a thimble. The thimbles with openings, usually on one side of the top to make room for your nail, are often more comfortable since your finger doesn't get as hot. And, the little leather dots are very good, too, because the dots stay on for a long time, and they can be saved for the next sewing session if you put them somewhere easy to remember. The way I made myself use a thimble was to buy an expensive (to me) Roxanne thimble, and then I had to justify it by using it all the time!