Hello everyone,
I started making quilts via hand quilting. At first I used stab stitch (with a floor stand hoop) then went to rocking stitch (with a floor frame). After the rocking stitch I moved on to long arm quilting. As time went on I was able to make far more quilts more quickly on the long arm of course; however, the quilting didn't look as good (that would take me years), it was a pain to adjust the tension and listening to the constant machine needle rattle was irritating. I lost the peacefulness and started avoiding my quilting room. After many months I finally gave up the long arm. I am now quilting happily and peacefully again with my hand and floor hoop. I certainly will not make as many quilts in my lifetime. But for me keeping life simple and peaceful was more important. I truly love hand quilting. So try it (you will get better with time) and if you find it peacefully creative - never give it up.
Thank you for letting me "speak". Has anyone else had a similar experience?

flowerjoy, I love your story. Thank you for posting. :)

I use an Aunt Becky thimble and love it. I will have to get mine out, tomorrow, to see exactly how I hold it but it doesn't fall off because the crease of it is sort of sitting on top of my under-finger and my thumb holds onto it from the front of it. There is a little round indent where your thumb holds onto it.

The needle hits the Aunt Becky, skims off of it and comes back up to the front.