I am currently hand-quilting a lap-size log cabin quilt with an all-over Baptist fan design. I tried every kind of thimble but couldn't work with one on any finger. Most of my quilts I machine quilt an all-over design on my Bernina 820 (the newer model). But every so often a quilt calls out to be hand quilted. Here's how I do it. I purchase a pack of "Thimble-It" - 64 self-stick plastic ovals - and I put one on my left index finger, which is my "under finger." Then I do one stitch at a time and bring up the needle with the fingernail on either the right index finger or the one next to it. I too have worn a hole in my fingernail! One plastic oval will stay put for about a week's worth of quilting. As soon as the needle hits the oval, I bring up the stitch with the fingernail. It takes longer to quilt this way but I'm not in a race.