so, i have been sewing for something like 45 years, and still do not know how to choose a thimble that fits....i have probably a dozen thimbles stashed here and there, ones i've purchased that were too small...too big...pinches my finger, fall's off, catches the thread with every other stitch....
i did finally learn there are times when i wish i had a thimble that fits...
looking in catalogs some are sized with small, medium & large...and some have numbers...7,8,9???what do these mean? how do you know what size you should get?
i would love to order a good, fairly expensive thimble but when i can't even find a $10 one that works for me???
i just don't know what to do. most of the shops around that carry them have them packaged so you can not try them on before you purchase them; i have tried adjustable ones...the thread gets caught in the opening. Is there a standard sizing chart? is it just trial and error until you find "the-one?"
i know there are dozens of different styles, but how do you figure out a size?

I've found that the size is kind of like a ring size. I think if I remember correctly, because of a "writer's bump" on my finger I take a size bigger than my ring size. But since the regular thimbles seem to smother my finger I usually use a self-adhesive leather pad one. They're reusable for awhile, until they get to the point that they won't stick anymore. I've also used the clear plastic dots with success. And YES, it's trial and error until you find the one that works for you. Mom always prefered the old silver colored metal ones and those are the one I hate.

I don't use a thimble as I machine quilt. However, back in 1996 my sister bought me a Roxanne thimble. I remember it being expensive and it came in sizes. The quilt shop owner helped me decide which size I was. The numbers are like ring sizes - the bigger the number, the larger the ring.

I have several different sizes. My hands swell some times. In the winter I use a small size, in the summer a larger. I think I have 4 different sizes on hand. I like the one that has a raised edge on the top. I also have a handfull that didn't work for me. Keep looking till you find the one that works for you

Depends on what finger I'm using. Index finger - med, middle-large. I like the Nimble thimble, its leather and has an opening for my fingernail. Another of my favorites is the Thimble Pad. Its a little leather/seude dot that sticks on your finger. My all time favorite is my own fingernail!! Especially for hand quilting. I use it until I get little holes in it then switch on over to something else. :lol: :lol: I have the best control with it.

You might consider purchasing a Banjo pick. They are metal, curved and they have little tabs on them so you can adjust the size. I haven't tried it personally, but I have heard they work very well.

thanks for your responses, i guess i will keep trying out different ones that come around until i find the perfect one, then go by that size to 'invest' in a more expensive one. i use thimbles on different finger's depending on what i'm doing. i thought at first ring sizes but i wear a size 5 ring and have not seen a thimble smaller than 7...i know...keep looking
thanks everyone.

The ones that I end up using the most are the cheapy Jelly Thimbles. I bought a whole bunch when I did a quilt project with my son's 6th grade class. I have 6 left, and I love using them, as they are so flexible. Some times my fingers are fatter than other times ;-)

this is what I'm talking about:

http://www.quiltbus.com/Thimbles.htm

and here is the quilt. My son's block is the pink and blue frog ;-)

[IMG]http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q...d/DSCN2287.jpg[/IMG]

Momma always said to use a thimble, but I never could seem to get the hsang of it. But, when doing my first hand-quilting, I really needed one. I bought a cheap plastic thimble that is open on the top side and little prong thingys that hold it on the finger.Itlets my finger "sit" in the thimble and my nail is open on top. It is the only thimble I can use.

Roxanne's come smaller than 7, but they're expensive. You can exchange it if the size is wrong.