The thimbles are 40% off at Connecting Threads, my goodness they are almost free at these prices. :shock:

I'm just like you MommaB. I use the side of my middle finger to push the needle thru. I bought a thimble yesterday that didn't work for me. For starters I bought the wrong size. Should have gotten a medium and it doesn't have the dents in it just circular rings. Back to Joann's today to try out another one. There notions are 40% off so trial and error isn't to bad. As it is I'm 3/4th finished with putting the binding on. :roll: :lol:
I'll also check the Fons and Porter section for that ring thimble and I did see the open sided thimble for the same price as the one I got yesterday.

Happy quilting everyone!

Lisa... Many years ago when our ancestors were quilting they had no "rules" to follow as to the proper way to quilt. Go with what is most comfortable to you and enjoy your beautiful quilts! I, too, am a hand quilter and truely love quilting. Lately I have been doing machine quilting and have started to really enjoy that aspect of quilting. Keep quilting! Brenda

Ditto! We're all made a little differently and do things a little differently. We're not "one size fits all", so do what works for you.

If it doesn't feel comfortable, to do it. You'll struggle and not enjoy what you're doing.

Happy quilting,

Here's f Fons and Porter tip for keeping thimble on - put some double sided tape INSIDE your thimble. I haven't tried it, because I no longer am able to hand quilt, but it sounds good!

That's the same type I use, just can't do it with anything else & the old one is best. Mine is sized for my thumb but I use it on first & middle finger as well.
Jo

I have a thimble collection...it's very pretty.. it lives in a special lamp my dear papa designed and made for me. Use them.........NEVER.. thimbles make me crazy. OK.. thimbles make me CRAZIER. I used bandaids, I like the nexcare ones, or if you can find it, there's a kind of pink plastic like tape that comes in various sizes. It sticks like mad and is nice and tough and only occasionally does a needle puncture it. If I need something to push a needle through, I use the fingernail on my middle finger. This has the added benefit of keeping me from biting my nails.. gotta have them for stitching. :P

I use the little sticky leather pads you can get from Keepsake quilting. It can take if off and use it again probably 10 times before I need to replace. I have every thimble ever invented. Will try to hammer one and see if it stays on LOL

I never thought to reshape the thimble!!!

Thimbles just do not stay on my finger. They slide right off.

I'm definately going to try to reshape one of them.

If they don't stay on your finger, you need a different size. I have bought and tried many thimbles, from $17 thimbles from quilting celebrities to different leather ones, to exotic space-age plastic ones from some vendors at one of the Quilt Markets, but in the end I wear my $1 Safety Thimble. If you want to use a thimble (and I do, not only for quilting but for all of my handsewing of every kind), then you have to get one that fits. It should remain on your finger if you wiggle your fingers, but it should not pinch your finger at all. Wear it all the time for a while, to get used to it. If you don't want to use a thimble and you have a method of stitching that works well for you, then don't bother.

The problem with many thimbles is that they are too cumbersome, and it's hard to get used to them. A thimble should be small enough that it doesn't come anywhere near your knuckle. It shouldn't interfere with the free bending motion of your finger.