For years I did not use a thimble when doing any hand work. Then I started hand quilting. Oh my! Initially is picked up every cheap thimble I could find including the stick on pads. None of them worked for me. I then drooled over some Roxanne thimbles. Well, they were just way more than I wanted to pay. Discovered Thimblelady thimbles. Tried the plastic one first to see how I would manage with pushing with the pad of my finger vs the top that most metal thimbles are designed to do. Eureka! Ordered the stainless steel one and have never looked back.
My hand/fingers do not tire or get sore nearly as quickly - if at all. I'm not particularly fond of her needles but do love the thimbles. The price for the s/s is not outrageous either. And after wearing out one of the stainless thimbles, I'd be hesitant to buy and sterling silver for fear that the metal would be too soft and I'd wear that out as well.