I like the Clover colored rubber thimbles with the metal tip with a ridge around it. The color denotes the size. I use the yellow as I have short, fat, stubby fingers. You have to use the end of the thimble to quilt, which is how the quilting purists say to do it. I sometimes use the side of my finger, and the needle goes into my finger with this kind of thimble. When I hand quilt, I have various thimbles on the quilt and pick up the one I need at the time.

My fingers change size during the day; I have 2 or 3 I keep changing to.

I use a very small metal thimble ,lick my finger before slipping it on, guess it makes like a suction cup. stays on . if I forget to lick finger it keeps falling off. lol

I don't know the name of this tape but,

The wrap that the clinic puts around your arm when they draw blood works wonderful...

You cut several layers to pad the end of your finger then use some of the wrap to secure the pads you cut to the tip of your quilting finger.

I too can not find a thimble of the right fit, works like a charm.

What I do is tape the thimble to my finger with any sort of tape. This way it can't fall off. I basically have tried everything. I have bought a leather thimble and put the metal thimble inside but the leather stretched after a time.
Another hint offered to me is to put spit on l=your finger and then the thimble.
Good luck! hope this helps some
ceegee

I also have small fingrs and do a lot of hand quilting. The adjustable one works for me, it is metal, and stays right on my finger, and I know it didn't cost much monry.

I make my own thimbles; it's quite easy. I purchase thin leather gloves at a thrift store, cut about an inch off the fingers (these tips are my new thimbles).The seam can be opened and hand resewn to fit your finger perfectly. Where the needle hits on the outside, I insert one of the clear plastic adhesive ovals (available in quilt stores) on the inside. I use the remainder of the glove to make side thimbles, which I use to hand piece, using the Jenny Byer method.

Isn't it amazing how our brain sees what we meant to say when we preview our message. Then we send it, read it on the board, and see all those typos.

I use leather thimbles - they are longer but have an elastic band that crosses over on your finger to hold it on. Look into them - they may work.

I still have the very, very small thimble that I used when I was a little girl so I know small ones can be found. I like all of your suggestions. I have my Grandmother's and Great-Grandmother's sterling thimbles and they are both a bit to large. I thought I got my large fingers from my Dad but guess it was also from my Grandmother.