barny

When I was very young I had two Aunts who sewed[one professionaly] and they made me learn. Now I cannot sew without one. I have several, but like leather best. I have also used the dots, but use 2 or 3 on top of each other.ha. Don't want the needle to go through. When I handquilt I use a very small one and they go through anything.

QuiltnNan

Wow, never thought of doing this. I like my leather thimble [when I use one] but it never fits. Thanks for the great tip!

Silver Needle

When I was 12 my grandmother who was a tailor told me I had to use one to learn to sew. Now I can't hand sew without one.

SittingPretty

I found a leather thimble that I like, but I still had trouble keeping it on. Probably not a usual way, but I coated the inside with rubber cement. It stays on really well now, and I'm getting used to wearing it. I read once where someone wore it all day, and finally got used to it. Just a couple of thoughts.

kathdavis

Ditto! My mom always encouraged us to use a thimble, but I just never could. I did read somewhere that you should put your thimble on and leave it on, so you get use to it. They even suggested sleeping in it. I haven't tried that but it does make sense.

QuiltnLady1

The only finger I am comfortable using a thimble on is my middle finger. I don't hand quilt so I just use this for pushing the needle.

roselady

I had never gotten used to a thimble even though I did lots of hand sewing as a young girl. When I wanted to learn to hand quilt I knew I would have to use a thimble. I progressed to what I use now. I started with a "Nimble Thimble", a small black leather one with a metal disk in the tip and a slit for a finger nail. I would wear it around the house just to get used to it. I quilted with it until I poked the needle through it one to many times, then I started looking at other thimbles. I then tried the plastic flesh colored adjustable open thimble, that worked great for quite awhile, I then bought a "Roxanne Thimble" I liked it a lot in one way but not for another reason. It is made so that you use the pad of your finger tip not the very tip, I really liked quilting that way. What I don't like about it is the shape of the cut out for your finger nail. It is very narrow. I guess my nails are kind of wide and if I let them grow at all (even a miniscule amount) the nail hits the edge of the thimble and it hurts. After learning to push the needle with the pad of my finger it was hard to find another thimble that worked like that, but I did. It is made by clover, it is a bronze color and it is adjustable. It looks alot like Roxannes. I love it. Even though I got used to using a thimble for quilting, I still couldn't use one for other hand sewing, (weird I know). I now use the little leather stick on "dots" when hand sewing.

dublb

I used ta think that I couldn't use a thimble. My fingers would git sore & I'd have a thimble w/me at all times, but they were always fallin' off. I didn't realize that the problem was my small fingers. I would try ta buy the small ones & they fell off. Then I bought the XS ones I they were way too tight! One day I saw some thimbles at a thrift store & 3 of
em fit. When my fingers got sore I put 'em on & wow what a difference it made. I could stack those stitches as quick as lightnin'. Boy do I love ta hand quilt!

davis2se

I have tried and tried, and just cannot get the hang of thimbles. I use the little faux leather adhesive dots on the ends of my fingers. They work wonderfully and really save the tips of my fingers from stabs and callouses, but they are getting harder and harder to find.

NJ Quilter

Another self-taught thimble user here. And like many others, had plenty of trial and error finding one that I could actually use. I finally found the Thimblelady thimbles. Somewhat similar to Roxanne's in that they are open-ended but more cone shaped with a larger open top. And like Roxanne's, you push with the pad of your finger - not the top. I started with their plastic one to confirm size and style and have since bought 2 of the stainless steel ones. They are about $35 I think. The plastic about $10. Their sizing instructions I find to be very accurate. I hand quilt with the thimble on my middle finger and a rubber finger tip (the kind used to count money/paper from the office supply store) on my index finger to help with needle pulling. If I'm not mistaken there are videos on her website for use of the thimble (along with her very long needles) which are helpful. I originally saw the demo on the Alex Anderson show. I have also used her needles but find them a bit bendy. That might be because I use W&N batting. I now use Roxanne #11 betweens for quilting. Very sturdy and keeping the sandwich loose can get some nice small stitches. Good luck with your quest.