Same here. Never could use the metal thimbles but the leather is good.

Do I have the answer for you!!! I'm with you I have a problem with thimbles so here goes. If you know anyone that is nurse or if you go to the hospital or Doc office or you may just go in there and buy one but... you know the rubber bands they put on your arm to take blood. Well ask if you can keep it because they throw them away. Cut it the length that will go over your finger and rap a Band-Aid around it to keep it in place. I love it I can still feel it stays on and protects my finger.

karielt, that's an excellent idea. I'll try it next time I have my blood taken.

also, I have trouble with traditional thimbles cuz' my fingers sweat. I have only been able to use the cheap ones from Joanns and Hancocks that are leather with a piece of plastic on them, they go around your finger, not covering the whole end, I get along with those much better.

Here is a link for some open ended, tubular metal thimbles
http://www.stanssewingsupplies.com/c...prodid=4954596

and leather and metal ones, very pretty
http://www.cottonpatch.co.uk/acatalog/thimbles.html

I can't use a metal thimble either. What I have found that works the best for me is the rubber fingers you buy at an office supply store. Underneath the rubber finger on the spot where the needle sometimes goes through the rubber I place a small oval thing-a-ma-jig called a Thimble-It. It is so much more comfortable than either a metal or leather thimble. The Thimble-It is made by the Colonial Needle Co. They are $4.95 for 64 ovals and you can use them several times before the adhesive wears off. Find them at colonialneedle.com. The rubber fingers come in boxes of 12 are are usually less then $2.00 a box.

I don't do thimbles either and I am a hand quilter. I do howver, put on a fabric bandaid and it doesn't let me get poked. Use them on three fingers. Otherwise I get poked and have little rough spots where it pokes me. LOL. I have tried every kind of thimble but learned without one and I know now you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. LOL

I like the rubber fingers from staples, I also use the little round plastic sticker thimble it. But these are only for softer materials

Yes, I use those little plastic ovals, you can cut them to shape!
They are quite comfortable and seem to work for me, but most of the time I use nothing and I just push the needle through with my nail.Mad Gertie from Kent.

The leather thimble are great.

Thanks everyone, great bunch of suggestions! I found a leather one at hobby lobby that I can actually get along with. I do wish it came in one more size smaller tho. I keep flicking it off my finger and chasing it. I'd better get a backup for when I can't find it....like last night when it went flying and somehow landed in my little chair-side trash. I was tearing the room apart, moving chairs, cussing...hubs knew something was very wrong and came to help...why did it take a guy to look in the trash!?

I used that one for a long time. When I first started using a thimble I just couldn't . Found that one and used it for a long time. It just got too tight. Even heating it wasn't stretching it enough then the newer ones that came out seemed really cheap. Found an only metal thimble that worked well. Now I cant's sew without one.

I thought I was the only one who had trouble with thimbles. I use a leather one on my THUMB for hand quilting, and nothing on the hand underneath the quilt. After a few days of quilting, the middle finger underneath gets a callous and I'm a quilting machine. If I had to use my middle finger to quilt, I'd never be able to do it.

I could NEVER use a thimble until I bought a TJ Thimble. You will not regret the purchase. http://thimbles2fit.com/ They are made to fit your finger. Buy the open thimble (long finger nails are not a problem).

I'm the same way. I've tried all kinds and just can't get used to them. If my finger starts to get sore, I wrap that blue painter's tape around it which seems to work for me.

This brought back memories. I was teaching a beginner class and one of the ladies was having a terrible time adjusting to a thimble. I suggested she put it on and go about her daily work. The next week she came to class wearing her thimble. She told how she had gone grocery shopping and the checkout lady asked her why she was wearing a thimble? She said "I'm practicing for quilting class". After a couple weeks she came to class and from half way across the room, sang out, "I got it--it finally works". So don't give up. a leather thimble may be the answer for you. She has gone on to make some very lovely hand quilted projects.
Make sure the thimble you use actually fits your finger. If its to tight or to loose, you will have problems. It should stay on your finger when you hold your hand down, but not be so tight it hurts. Hope that helps.

When I was a child my Grandmother insisted that I learn to use a thimble. It was not easy. I used it for a bit each time I sewed and finally got used to having it on my finger. I now hand quilt with two thimbles, middle fingers of each hand. I use a silver thimble that was my Grandmother's on my right hand, and she is with me every stitch I take.

I love the Clover thimbles, I think they are silicone, they fit really good. You can get them in different colors, mine is yellow. The color denotes the size. They have the metal on the tip with a ridge around the outside to prevent the needle from slipping off. Before I found this, I always used the metal ones with the ridge, as the needle was always slipping off the thimble and hitting my finger where I didn't want it to go.

Blu tack???? What is that and where do you get it? My fingers aren't so big, but I am right between Med. and Sm, so I can't get one to fit at all. I have tried all suggestions I have read here from the leather which don't stay on, to taking a hammer and pounding them out of shape. Yup did that too. So I can't use a thimble although would like to because of the hole poking. Now I am doing the stab sew, when I hand quilt. Just works better that way. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Rita

I have never mastered a thimble. I have tried all kinds.

That's a good idea. Mine is so comfortable and well-fitting that I can put down my hand work and do other things and not even feel the thimble. If you find a thimble like that, it will get easier. I have also found that older thimbles, tha have been well used and wron smoother on the inside are more comfortable than new ones. These turn up a lot at antique shows etc.

I tried them all too. The best luck was with a leather one, but it soon stretched out and I spent more time chasing a dropped thimble than sewing. So here is what I do now. When my finger starts to get sore, I take some blue painter's tape and wrap the end. I just tear a skinny strip off so there isn't too much bulk. The bonus is the cost is alot cheaper than all those thimbles sitting in the drawer now. Give it a try. :)

I also can't seem to be able to use a thimble. So I cut off the finger part of dishwashing rubber gloves and it worked. I did not know of the leather thimbles and perhaps I should try them (but I have about 20 rubberglove fingertips to use up) Oh well, saved some money for now anyways.

I can't either. I use 1/2" paper tape and just wrap it around my finger. It is tape in the medicine isle. It is cheap and can be used for my grandson who is alergic to latex and we keep this tape on hand for those little booboos!

When cross stitching I use a tiny piece of batting. Then I wrap it with two "rounds" of sports tape. The white type. When quilting, however, I do use a thimble. Hope you find something that will work for you. Making a permanent hole in your finger is NOT the way to have fun!!

This is the one that works for me!
http://www.threadandmore.com/scripts...idproduct=3380

i'm a lefty also, but i have learned to use the leather thimble
it slips sometimes but it works best for me

I to cannot use a thimble. My mother, who was in interior decorator, would keep after me to use a thimble, to no avail. I found a product called ThimblePad. They are little leather pads that stick to your finger. I've found this works really well for me.

I have trouble with rigid thimbles too, stubby shaped fingers, Arggg. The great thing about leather with metal tips is they shape themselves to your finger after wearing awhile. Hang it there, it is worth feeling awkward for awhile.

I feel so much better when I hear others say they can't use a thimble. My thimble I've had for years is still brand new and shiny because whatever finger I put it on, I use one of my bare fingers! Thank you for all the suggestions that I'm going to try one by one because I'm tired of having sore fingers.

I had a hard time learning to use one. My Mother rest her soul said for me to put the thimble on wear it all day and get used to doing things with it and even wear it when sewing and one day you will begin to use it and not remember when or how it came about. I did that and am using one all the time. I use mine on my middle finger. Also if you are sewing the binding maybe a longer needle will do for you. I do use a thimble when I sew the binding on. Try a longer needle. Quilter000

My fingers are so small, and I can't get a thimble to stay on. I use a leather thimble and it works great. I am left handed and the leather thimble can be use for either hand.

i have the same problem. i use the little stick on leather circles. i also have a 'regular' leather thimble but even the small is to large for me. leather dots are the way to go for me!!

Me too. I use the leather ones. I have a collection of thimbles my GM kept giving me. Some are sterling silver with mother-of-pearl and are real collectors items.

Suggestion: Try a leather thimble. If you can get used to that, then try a rubber/plastic one, then a metal one. It is really difficult to learn to use a thimble. I am so grateful to my 7th grade Home Economics teacher who insisted we learn to use a thimble if we wanted a passing grade. She said we'd never regret it. I really struggled & muttered various unkind words under my breath but finally learned & now I can't sew without one. I do have trouble finding thimbles that fit. Apparently my finger tips are smaller than most. Finding a small enough one is difficult.

I found some small leather dots at the lqs and they are wonderful - It is sticky on the back and reusable - I just take it off and put it on my thread caddy - I think to use a thimble - you had to be introduced to them early in life - so glad I am not the only one

i have that trouble too - i used a piece of tape to go around it to sorta of draw it up smaller. made it fit better but i still like the round leather thimbles.

I can not use a thimble if I put one on I will use another finger, I have tried the leather, plastic, and the metal ones no luck the plaster patch has worked the best for me.

I use the thimble dots that adhere to your fingers... lol I have two on each hand! I am still looking for the perfect thimble! A friend of mine has a sterling silver one that fits me perfectly and I hope to find one at the next quilting show I go to! Some sell vintage timbles...

I only use a thimble when I am quilting and I use the metal with the recessed top on it. When I am doing the binding or piecing I just don't use anything. :)

I have a bunch of thimbles, but only 1 that fits correctly. If I ever loose that I'm in trouble. Thimbles are like shoes, you have to find the ones that fit.