Mkotch

I have also used two layers of electrical tape in a pinch!

missgigglewings

Here's my 2 cents worth and it has worked for many years. I put a rubber finger cot over the thimble. Keeps the thimble on till I take it off. Sometimes I cut off a finger from an old dish-washing glove and use it. You can use the same one over and over till it wears out. I use my Grandmother's old thimble and could not sew without it.

d1of1

One easy thimble to wear is to take a pair of leather garden gloves and cut off the finger(s). I use these on my fingers or thumb and then the little dot on the other hand...

LAB55

I am trying to learn to use a thimble also. It just feels so unnatural. When I quilt I put Super Glue on the tips of my fingers on my left hand, as far as the right one goes I use my finger nail until the needle pokes thru it, than I apply Super glue & tape, but it is a pain also. I have sewn since I was 9 yrs old & just never got use to a thimble, but wished I had.
Sore fingers are not fun, I feel for you.

vburr

do more quilting until you get a callus on the end of your finger....after that, no problem :-D

nuttyhurricane

Sally S

My jr. high sewing teacher knew I would never learn to sew very well because I had such a hard time with a thimble. I am happy to tell you I am a prize winning wearable artist, quilter and writer. I have learned to use a thimble along the way, but I don't think it made me sew any better. To be helpful, getting one that fits is very important.

cwessel47

I didn't wear a real thimble until I found one that fit! While cleaning out my deceased great-aunt's sewing supplies - I found one. It looked like a piece of junk. As I used it - the tarnish wore off and I found that I had a 24 carat gold thimble! Folks warn me that gold is soft and will wear out. Not yet - 20+ years and counting. In the winter when I'm cold, sometimes it doesn't fit quite so well. Then I just lick my finger and the extra moisture does the trick. I used to go through leather thimbles like crazy. I buy any new ones I find on the market. I have to keep the middle finger nail a bit shorter than the rest so I don't break it. But there are many cool ones on the market that let your fingernail through. As a guitarist, I have gotten used to calluses on my left hand. Perhaps you can develop a good one where you need it. There are no rules - but never stop experimenting. That's how we learn and discover new solutions to problems.

wolfkitty

I have bought a leather thimble that has wide elastic on the top where the nail is. I found them at Joann's, among other places, but Joann's is the only one I remember.

SewinSue

I too was NEVER able to keep a thimble on my finger, they were uncomfortable and generally way too big. When I started doing hand applique about 1 1/2 yrs ago I had to find something that worked. I FOUND IT!! Clover makes a metal flat tipped thimble with soft vinyl top that forms somewhat to your finger. I do hand work when my DH &
I travel and I have started eating in restaurants and look and I still have the thimble on--it is that comfortable!

I have tried a leather thimble but my dog ate it! lol

I also collect old thimbles which are such fun as some are so ornate, different metals and I even have one with a thread cutter on the side. My oldest is probably a political thimble with Coolidge/Dawes on it!
Good luck finding one that will work for you. Sue