The price of the Thimble Lady's device scares me off so have never tired it. And Aunt Becky! Well, as with creating the quilt, it's all what works for you. For me the leather Clover thimble that has the metal dot in it works well for me. Have worn out several of those and they are affordable, especially if using a coupon at JoAnn's. I find my stitches are getting better with time. I use a 14" hoop, the Clover thimble, the thumbnail on my right hand (Yes, it gets a hole in it if I am quilting a lot). I think I, too, rock the fabric with my left hand. While there is a bit of a callus on 2 of my fingers there, I'm learning the touch of the needle rather than the stab. If fingers are sore by the time I go to bed, I rub a bit of triple antibiotic ointment on those spots before going to sleep and by morning there is usually improvement. I think it provides some therapy and a bit of moisture to the sore fingers.