I use a leather thimble on my thumb (thumble). I can't do it any other way, and I've really tried.

Have never gotten the hang of using a thimble. If I put it on my middle finger, I end of taking it off because it gets in my way. I guess it's a matter of "whatever works."

Holice, do you have any thimbles to recommed? I'm always on the hunt for a comfy one.

Thanks for this discussion. Suzy

I've never used a thimble.

My Grandmother taught me to sew. She said that I could never be successful unless I learned to use a thimble, but it was really hard for me to get accustomed to using it. I made myself use it for a portion of each time I was sewing. Sometimes I waited until my finger was a bit sore, then put it on. I soon became used to the thimble and then another on my finger that is beneath the quilt too! My Grandmother later gave me her beautiful sterling silver thimble which I cherish to this day. She is beside me every time I sew and I am continually thankful for her loving patience.

I use the cheapie metal thimble with the depression in the top. I have several kinds but am accustomed to this one.
Made by Dritz. I learned also to use a thimble under neith the quilt. For that one, I get an old metal thimble that is rather smooth around the top edge and pound the top flat. I get them in for pennies at an antique mall. The underside thimble need to be rather smooth around the top edge for the needle point to slide off. I don't believe it dulls the needle.

I can't use a thimble...a quilter friend gave me some oval disks that stick to your thimble finger and can be re-used over and over. They really work for me. Sorry, but I don't know the name of them.

When I was learning -- I'm still learning! -- to hand quilt, I somehow could not use a metal thimble, even though I do use one for regular hand sewing. I cut the thumb and fingers out of an old leather glove and that's what I use.

I am a non-thimbler! I have tried every kind I can find, but none seem to work for me. I can just feel better with my fingers. I think something must be wrong with my fingers!

I have the same trouble as cannyquilter. I guess my fingers are too skinny! I even tried running down the side of a leather one with the serger, but it was still too loose and floppy. I give up!

I use the leather stick on dots all the time. Wonderful. Reusable. Keep a pack on hand. Cannot use any other kind of thumble.

I forced myself to wear one when I began to do binding. It was just practical since I was getting holes in my finger. At first, I did as some suggested and just avoided using that finger. Then, I gingerly started using that finger. Eventually I got used to it. Now the thought of doing binding without a thimble makes my finger hurt. :)

I learned to use a thimble from my grandmother. On the middle finger of the right hand to push the needle through. When I began quilting, I had some very sore fingers on my left hand for some time, but I learned... my grandmother had a silver thimble that she had hammered to make a cup on top. It also has a hole in it from her trying to force a needle through that was loaded with too many stitches. I put a small piece of leather in there and that keeps me from ramming a needle into my finger. I also use the little steel buttons on my middle finger on the left hand. The needle glances off it as I quilt. I love my thimbles. I have tried them all, I think, and still prefer the one that is over 100 years old.

Anita in Northfield, MN

Try lining your thimble with a bandaid or some moleskin. That should help.

I tell my students to put a thimble on every finger until they learn to use the proper finger. Get a thimble with deep dimples to make sure the needle catches every time. Use a hoop but not so tight that a quarter would bounce. You need some play in the surface to allow the underneath finger to make a pouf of fabric to push the needle through.

Get a good thimble that fits I prefer a crown style thimble just make sure the depressions are large enough that your needle dosen't slip off when using. Then wear your thimble during the day you get used to it that way the feel of it on your finger. After a few days try quilting with it you will find it easy to use your thimble because your finger is used to having it on! Good luck with your quilting I have one thimble I use for quilting and several others I use for sewing once you are used to the thimble you will always enjoy and use them.

Learning to use a thimble
 

I learned to use a thimble from my Mother, who learned from her Mother, who learned from her Mother. I know not everyone grows up sewing and quilting and learns later in life. I grew up in the 50's and 60's when country folks sewed and quilted. I use the thimble on my middle finger, and it helps push the needle through the fabric. I cannot sew without one, because that is how I learned to sew by hand and quilt by hand. I can see how a thimble on your thumb would help when you are hand quilting.

I could never use a thimble until I discovered the leather thimble. Love it.

I played with thimbles as a child but didn't see the necessity (no one taught or pushed me to use them) until I started English Paper Piecing a few years ago. I found that I push the needle with the side of my middle finger, which was getting really sore. I found thimble rings (Clover makes the ones I use). It's a leather ring over plastic that you can adjust to your finger size. I bought a pack of 3 thinking I would run through them. 5 years later, I am happily using the same 1 for all of my hand work.

I can't keep one on eiher. I must have 20 different ones. The one that looks like black leather works best as it is longer and stays on a while longer. Otherwise, I use green painter's tape. It stays on longer than electrical tape or most of the other stuff I've tried. It is cheap and plentiful, with it being easy to replace when needed. I embroider a LOT. Works for me.

I use unmedicated corn pads. I cut them in half and they work great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xD0M7...eature=related (I don't know how to post so I will try again)
This really helped me.

I just remembered seein' this a while back.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...g-t142087.html

I have 2 leather thimbles that I use. They're both small but I had to sew a tuck in each one to make it stay on my finger. I also wrap them with electrical tape to make them a smidge tighter. I have my grandmother's metal thimbles, but I can't seem to make they work for me. :)

I can't keep one on my finger neighter it just comes off so I use the leather quilting thimble for quilting and I just put a bandaid or 2 on my finger for sewing. for quilting i have also put a small piece of leather under the bandaid. it doesn't fall off is comfortable and not bulky.

I never used a thimble when I did counted cross stitch, but a friend insisted I use one - that was 30+ years ago and now I just can't sew anything without one. My one vanity is acrylic nails with gel polish so I have to make sure I get one that fits. When I applique or blanket stitch, I use a silicon one my left hand index finger. When I quilt, I use Marian's Magic Quilting Thimble http://www.momsmagicthimble.com/.

I am reading with hope I can get use to a timble. I been sewing a few years. I have had a bad thumb, and finger
tips that are in bad shape from not using a thimble, the last thing I am still getting over was my left thumb. The
needle went under my nail to the end of my nail, Yea it hurt. The nail I almost 1/2 grown back out. I was lucky not to lose it, Just alot of white under ther nail & a new growing out. Now I must learn to use something.
Best of luck to all who are trying to use a timble.

Fons & Porter has a tip on today where someone said to use the wrap bandages that they put on you after giving blood. It sticks to itself and you can fold over the top to give more thickness. I never got used to using a thimble and my finger gets real sore after hand stitching. Good luck.

I just read about these on another thread, called leather thimble pads on amazon.com. I can't wait to try them. Figure it will help my index finger also. Could not sew with a thimble on my index finger!!

I learned to use a thimble from my mother and grandmother. Especially when we quilted or did embroidery. Now I only use one when I'm doing embroidery. I don't do hand quilting anymore, I don't have the patience for it, especially since everyone I know likes the quilts I make with machine quilting.