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.