I had a hard time getting used to a thimble, but I can't imagine how you would hand quilt without one, ouch! I started with the Nimble thimble, a small black leather one with a metal insert in the tip. It was great for a first thimble because it was more natural feeling. It does have a slit in it for a long fingernail, but that slit also allows a needle in, and after poking myself that way a few times, I decided to try something else. I used the clover flesh colored, open sided one for quite awhile and I liked it until I used the Roxanne thimble. Roxanne thimbles have a rounded tip which allows me to use the pad of my finger instead of the tip. The Roxanne thimble is expensive, so far I like it the best. It has an open design to allow for fingernails, but my fingernails are too wide and they hit the sides of it if they get past the tip of my finger. There is a clover metal thimble that looks very similar to the Roxanne, and I plan to try it. I need a second one because my fingers expand in the summer and get smaller in the winter, and I can't really afford another Roxanne thimbe. My favorite needles are Richard Hemming size 11 betweens, and Foxgloves 11's. You probably should start with a 9 or 10 until you get used to it. Hope this helps.