I have a metal allergy so metal thimbles are always a problem.
I've tried the leather thimbles and they are OK but for some reason, they make my finger sweat. Don't laugh, but I tried one
of those gummy thimbles. They look like a molded gummy bear.
They are comfortable, light and they work great. I got mine at my LQS. I liked it so much I now have a red one and a blue one.
Good luck, M.E.

I,too, had trouble using a thimble until I bought one made by Tommie Lane. They are custom made for your finger. It has an opening for my fingernail and dimples in the top of the thimble. Also, you can get the plastic tape that is used in the doctor's office for drawing blood from your vet as well. I have seem rolls of them for sale in some shops as well. The plastic does work well; it does not puncture easily. You could also put a dot under the tape before you wrap your quilting finger. Use a finger cot on your "pulling finger" to help guide the needle through the quilt. I use both my thimble and the finger cot for ease in quilting. I quilted a white qedding quilt, very elaborate, with feathers, etc. and it turned out very well using my thimble and my finger cot. If you can't find finger cots, go to the hospital pharmacy and buy them--much cheaper than buying 3 at a time from a dealer. ( I give my quilting students one for their first quilting lesson.

The thimbles I use has a plastic piece on the inside, and has the leather all the way around it, and has spaces like a thimble has to keep the needle in place as to not slip. It works great. Sounds like your idea is working for you too. If something happens to mine I think I'll give Staples a try. Thanks for the information.

I find too that at times when my thimble finger nail gets a little long my thimble wants to come off--after clipping that nail it really made a difference. I have used many different kinds and do find those colored rubbery or plastic work very well for me. The longer you use one the easier it gets. Good luck.

they have a thimble for people who have fingernails-lol
but i just cant stand one on any o fmy fingers, and i bought every kind i could. UNTIL I found these little leather dots, it sticks to my finger and i use it to hand sew everything. then when it quits sticking it cwn be glued onto a old ruler lol

I really can't do any handsewing without one on my middle finger of right hand. The only sewing my Mom taught me was how to darn my dad's socks, and was taught to use a thimble then, probably when I was 12.

I have long fingernails (my own, not fakes), and I have to keep that one trimmed somewhat, or my thimble keeps slipping off. I also lick that finger before putting thimble on, and it stays put better.

I tried the dots, and they didn't work for me. :cry:

I have my own fingernails also, I had them when I was in school 30 years ago, before all the fake ones were so popular.
I went to Walmart and found Leather Ring Thimbles by EZ Quilting, they come three in a package, They go around your finger tip instead of going on top of yiur finger, So You can have really long nails, because your nail is poking out the top. It works Great for us with real nails. :D or fakes

I too am thimble challenged, ( and likewise with embroidery hoop unless it is absolutely neccessary to hold firm what I am working on) I use stick on little finger pads called 'Thimble It'. just stick one to pad of working finger, can be re-used (quess depends on how much work). I got them from Craft Mailbox here in Oz. 64 to a pack, they weren't too expensive. On pack it has Sailor Corp. of America, Fayetteville. GA 30214, so come from your side of the world. I also use the plaster (band-aid here) idea which is really the easiest, get cheapies at discount store.

Everyone is very helpful on this forum, I could not use the dots, for some reason, I sweat alot thanks to power Serges
(menopause.) :cry: