My DMIL gave me one and said I should use one. I think it was when I wanted to learn to do crewel embroidery. I think she said to put it on my finger when I sew and just get used to the feel of it, and it just came along. I was used to it by the time I learn to quilt which was by hand. Now I can't imagine sewing anything by hand without it. I have a number of different ones. When it is hot I like a leather one I have but otherwise my fave for quilting is a metal one with raised side edges.

"As I was about to despair I found a cheapo plastic one that fit perfectly, and I could finally stop concentrating on keeping it on my finger and focus on my stitches. That worked for about a year, then the plastic wore through "
I got a chuckle out of this...I also had a plastic thimble like that, it was a hand out from an aspiring politician and had "I like Dike" printed on it. I have never had a thimble before or since that fit as well. I too wore a hole right through it and it eventually just split in half. I managed to eek out more use with well place duct tape for a while but eventually had to give it a decent burial. I now use a soft plastic one with a metal tip, but still have never found one like that cheap plastic one....Oh Mr. Dike, if you are still out there and have some spare thimbles can you send me one?

I have a thimble that was my grandmother's, and its worn so smooth on the inside, it's very comfortable. If you can find a thimble that fits snuggly on your finger without being too tight, that will be a start. Mine fits so that I can stop sewing, perhaps look up a pattern, cut more thread or even pet the dog, and the thimble won't come off - I hardly feel it - almost like its a part of my hand. If you can find a thimble like that, it will be easy to just put it on and use that finger to push the needle through. I also have some cheap thimbles that are rough, too loose or pinch. I use them if I am stuck somewhere without anything else, but if that's what I thought a thimble should feel like, I'm sure I would give it up, too. Look for an antique thimble that's " broken in" like mine is, and perhaps you'll give the thimble another chance.

I'm with you. I use the Clover silicon thimble with the metal top. I use the size small, which are hard to find when I need a new one. But the silicon really keeps it on firmly without being too tight.

I have tried diffeent types of thimbles and couldn't get use to them. I did discover ThimblePads that work for me. They leather circles with adhesive on one side. They stick to the finger and are reusable. They work for me because I think my problem is one of being able to feel my work rather than comfert.

When I was 5 or 6 years old, my Gramma used to embroidery most every evening. One night I asked her to teach me, so she put a piece of adhesive tape around my finger, then the thimble, then gave me a needle. From there my embroidery lessons began and to this day, I CANNOT sew without a thimble. That was about 65 years ago. Thanks Gramma!!

My grandmother taught me to sew. I started by sewing doll dresses by hand and she insisted I use her thimble. I was only about 9 maybe so her thimble was way too big for me, but she insisted I keep it on so I learned to sew and keep a thimble on at the same time. I have been always grateful for that lesson. Now it seems when I pick up a needle and thread I also pick up the thimble...feels bare without it. And the best part of this story is that I have that same thimble from my grandmother and that is the one I use the most. I feel she is still guiding my hand when I sew. A small thing, but a big impact on my life.

Some quilting gurus recommend putting thimbles on all the fingers until you are accustomed to the feel of the one on your main quilting finger. I had one made by a friend who makes and sells thimbles professionally. It is silver and has my birthstone on it; It doesn't go out of the house, but I really make use of it. I also use the dimpled variety with a bandaid inside to make it fit. For the underneath finger, I wrap it in the strong tape vets use to keep pets from chewing on their wounds. Hospitals now use it for wrapping puncture sites.

Thanks for all the info. I need to learn to use a thimble. I have probably bought 20 but can't get one that feels comfortable. Just now ordered the Clover one. I don't have anyone to show me how to use it. Are you supposed to use the end of your finger, or the side? I would really appreciate an answer. Thanks in advance.

My grandmother taught me to use a thimble, and to this day I have trouble finding one that fits really well. I have very small hands and its hard to fit the fingers

I never did learn to use one. When I put one on, I automatically use the finger NEXT to the one with thimble. Weird! Maybe if I use 1 on each of my fingers???? all at the same time? Guess I am just stuck (no pun intended) with putting holes in my flesh.......

I can remember that at first I hated thimbles. But I kept trying one off and on and eventually it started to feel natural. Now I can't imagine not using one. I think the key is just to persevere. It feels unnatural at first but eventually you just "get it" and it becomes second nature.

I have never been comfortable with a thimble....fat fingers--everything was too tight. Finally found a leather one with a metal plate on the finger pad that works wonderfully.

I never have learned to use a thimble...I have tried a million time but forget it..I just can't...

It wasn't till I found the coin/leather thimbles that I could stand to have one on my fingers. My fingers are not tapered and all the regular metal thimbles felt clumsy. The neat thing about the leather ones is that they begin to shape themselves to your finger after some use. Now all I have to do is find something to use on the underside finger, it gets sore and poked as the needle is pushed through to the back.

I couldn't get used to the metal thimbles, but was administrative support over 20 yrs & used the rubber fingertips for paperwork. After designing a teddy bear & making lots of them, putting the needle through the end of my fingers, I used one of the rubber fingertips I'd been used to & have not had a problem since. Well, occasionally I forget I have it on & try to do other things... LOL!

this is the perfect answer...wish I had thought of it.

I never have as I haven't ound one that fits comfortable. They all seem to persh on the finger.

I have tried every kind of thimble too. The soft one with metal tip worked for a while before my nail grew out. I use the leather dots. Most of the time I forget to use them unless I'm working on something really thick.

In my 40 years of sewing I used a thimble on the rarest occasions, mostly to push a sewing needle through several layers of thick fabric. I just started hand quilting my first quilt 2 weeks ago and I had one that fit me, so I started using it. Within minutes I discovered it was either completely worn out or cheap junk (which I think it is). Stopped using it and used my finger to rock and push. Poked myself deeply, twice in the same spot, and ran to the store. The only one I could find that would fit somewhat was the Collins Safety Thimble, size Large.
I used it on my middle finger to push the needle through, but had to take it off each time I took a stitch, because I couldn't feel my needle! Finally after 2-3 days of forcing myself to wear it, I am comfortable with it and it contributes greatly to the quality of the work!! I don't use a thimble underneath, haven't had any need to as of yet, as I rarely touch the point.
I would love to know where to purchase thimbles for mens hands! It's very hard to find large thimbles. I'm don't have big hands, but nonetheless, I have a man's hand.

Have bought many different thimbles thinking I would find one that I could use. Unfortunately, thimbles just seem to get in my way! So, no thimble for me!

We were required to use a metal thimble in Home Ec. class 60 years ago. When I sew without a thimble, I end up regretting it. For me, sewing is so much more comfortable with a thimble.

Ditto!! I have no idea how to use it successfully. Do you wear it on your dominant hand or non-dominant hand?

I don't do much hand quilting lately, but never know how to actually use a thimble. I do have one- a silicone one I think... Can anyone help us thimble newbies out??