thimble thimble whos got the thimble
 

I am just starting to learn how to do some hand quilting. How do you all learn how to use a thimble? I have the clover thimble with the rubber thing on it. but I like to use my pointer finger. what kind of thimbles do you use. I find when use my middle finger with the thimble it is so hard to get my fingers working. and I go back to the pointer finger and well it is just like my mind won't let me use it I know this is a stupid question
but I want to learn maybe the old saying is true can't teach an old dog new tricks haha I have been piecing for some time but never hand quilted :)

While I do use a thimble part of the time, I tape my fingers with adhesive tape to protect them instead of a thimble

You'll never learn the advantages of using a thimble if you put it on the pointer finger. That is the same as using the left foot for the brake and the right for the gas. Not safe or sensible at all. The way I learned to have a thimble be second nature when hand sewing was to have my finger poked enough times that tears would come. And I did not want an ugly callous on my finger.

I use a thimblelady thimble, which fits down on the finger rather than on the tip. With her method, there is no pricking of the underneath finger. Her book is called 'Perfect Hand Quilting without Pain'. Roxanne McElroy's book 'That Perfect Stitch' is also very inspiring, and has excellent photos and descriptions. Yes, you can learn to do it! Just keep at it. It took me a long time to get it.

I took an inexpensive hand quilting intro class at my former LQS. But I never really enjoyed hand quilting.

I have discovered the silicone finger cots that are sold at office supply stores, I can sew all day and no pain.

While I don't do hand quilting, I use an inexpensive, metal thimble for all hand sewing such as sewing on binding and labels. I had to learn to use a thimble when I took Home Ec. decades ago. I remember that it took me forever to enjoy using a thimble. Now I can't sew without one. Find a thimble you like and use it. One day, using a thimble will be easy.

Hi Sophia
The first thimble I was able to use successfully was a Comfort Thimble - it is soft and flexible with a big slanted tip and lots of deep dimples - it worked pretty well. Also, I watched a tailor do a lot of mending - and something about that combination clicked for me. I assume your thimble has the outer ridge and deep dimples - so you have the right type. A quick you tube search turned up Jo Gibson - Lesson #4 big stitch quilting. She is using perle cotton but the idea is still the same. Also she uses a hoop and rubber finger to grip the needle, which I find extremely helpful. Alex Anderson uses a thimble on her index finger and ( I think) grips the needle with her middle finger and thumb. While that looks miserably inefficient to me, it would be hard to argue with someone who does beautiful work and is the head of a quilting empire. I am sympathetic to your challenge. I have never been able to make even stitches with my thumb or right hand. Just keep trying and look for a you tube demo that makes sense to you - or maybe even a live human that hand quilts - that would work too.
Lefty - in Philly

I like the rubbery plastic thimbles. They are wonderful and have learned that tiny quilting needle can make swiss cheese out of my middle finger so I always wear one when handquilting.

I don't often use a thimble, but sometimes my finger gets so sore that I have to. For some reason I seem to hit the same place on my middle finger and that really hurts. I also seem to hit the same hole when I'm trying to back stitch and that splits the thread. I wish I could get used to using a thimble, but I can't decide which finger to put it on.
Sue

I got used to using a thimble by putting it on my finger and wearing it all day...for a "number" of days..LOL. The thimble wants to stay on your finger when the finger is held upside down,and be loose enough that the finger tip doesn't throb. Get a practice project and practice a couple of times a day..it'll become second nature.

I use a metal thimble that has a ridge around the top so the needle does not slip off, after years of sewing with out a thimble I found the way for me to used to one was to wear it all day, and to keep it on, wet finger before putting on thimble, really keeps it in place, good luck, I could not do any hand sewing without mine now, and a couple of weeks ago, Midnight knocked my thimble off thr table and still have nor found it, so ordered 4 more just in case LOL

Wear as many as you want. The covered finger you use the most will become the one you use all the time. I wear a big thimble on my left hand thumb because for some reason I tend to push the needle into it when sewing on binding.

I, too, use a thimblelady thimble. Like the fact that it has the deepest dimples of any readily available; the fit; and pushing with the pad of your finger as well. Far more comfortable for me. Thimbles in general do take getting used to. Once you do, however, there is no going back.

....out of curiosity went to amazon.....PRICEY!!!!!! Went to her website......PRICEY!!!!too! Really would have to think twice about that investment.....would like to "try" that method out, but not at that price!

Geri B, are you referring to the book? The thimble? I bought the book used on amazon, I don't think it was much, around $20? The thimble a few years back was $15 purchased on line.

My finger is too fat for a thimble. So I use a goatskin leather thimble on my middle "pushing" finger. After it's broken in, it 's really comfortable to wear.

I like my fingernails, so an enclosed thimble doesn't help me. Can't get used to them either. So I've resorted to the little round pads made out of leather. Because it's what I've now gotten accustomed to, it's what I use all the time.

I never purchased the book. Initially I bought the plastic version of her thimble for about $15. I later upgraded to the stainless steel version - about $25. I am on my second s/s of her thimble. After what I spent on leather, various metal ones that didn't fit correctly or didn't hold the needle well enough I don't the the $65 on 3 thimbles that actually work well (for me) is not that expensive. Not compared to some of the other tools we use for this craft.

One of the reasons I like the thimblelady thimbles is because they are open-ended. I keep my nails (when I actually have them) without issues.

I like to use the small leather pads that stick to my finger. Couldn't get used to a regular thimble and these work great for me

I couldn't use a thimble either, until I discovered the leather thimble. I love it.

Maybe I am reading something wrong.....I went to thimblelady site.....btw, seems kind of wordy and difficult to find thimbles, anyway finally did....cheapest is plastic for $15.00, next cheapest is stainless steel $42.00.... Did not even bother to check out S&H......went to amazon....some sort of package deal close to $100.00.......I will pass...my luck I would lose the dumb thing like I have lost one of pairs of good earrings! And I don't do that much handquilting and regular hand sewing I can do with a regular thimble.....I do have the aunt Becky gizmo, but hand quilting is a winter thing, so have not tried it yet......but is right around the corner......

I like the Natural Fit Leather Thimble by Clover. I bought it off Amazon for a great price ($10) and no shipping. It's soft and long enough that it doesn't pop off.

I find the thimble so awkward that I don't use one at all. I do get stuck occasionally but I am able to quilt better than with one.

Susan

My first thimble was one my Grandmother used to teach me hand sewing and quilting. The problem was that I have a big bump on the side of my finger and the thimble made my finger sore. My Grandfather made me a leather thimble that fit and didn't wear on the bump. I have use leather thimble ever since. I would try on several and see what works for you.

I must have over a dozen different thimbles. When I was at a quilt show in Walla Walla, WA, I saw the Clover thimble with the rubber or neoprene on it demonstrated, so I decided to buy and try. I love it! It stays on very well. The only drawback I've noted is that sometimes my thread gets caught in between the metal cap and the rubber, so I have to be careful or it will unthread from my needle.

A thimble is worth learning to use, I promise. You will be able to sew through much thicker items, and you won't have a sore finger, which I can guarantee if you don't use a thimble. The thimbles with openings, usually on one side of the top to make room for your nail, are often more comfortable since your finger doesn't get as hot. And, the little leather dots are very good, too, because the dots stay on for a long time, and they can be saved for the next sewing session if you put them somewhere easy to remember. The way I made myself use a thimble was to buy an expensive (to me) Roxanne thimble, and then I had to justify it by using it all the time!

I use an UltraThimble to protect my under finger and an open ended thimble on my upper hand. It is made by Clover and has two bands that fit around the rest of your finger that you can adjust to fit. I also use my pointy finger sometimes and this thimble works great.

I will be very interested to hear how you progress with Aunt Becky. I couldn't believe how fast the woman was quilting with it on the youtube demo I saw!</snip>

Just checking - you are using a thimble that has a flat end with a ridge on it, right? That's to hold the needle as you're pushing it through several up and downs. It took me forever to learn to get the thread end of the needle in that ridge area (I kept using the side of my finger - the middle finger), but once getting it down, my stitches got smaller and much more even. As to grasping the thread, I use the little round balloons with the "neck" cut off and put one over my index finger. Works like a dream and I have a lifetime supply for a buck!

Don't feel bad - I wish I could recommend something to you, however, I never mastered using a thimble, because every time I put one on, I would use another finger. Oh well, I tried. Good luck though as I wish I could have learned.

Thank you all for the information and help yes I see that Alex Anderson uses her pointer finger I have ordered some of the finger pads made of leather and I am still trying each day to get use to the thimble from clover I am determined not to let this stop me. I love this board and all you ladies thank you

I too have the thimble problem. No matter which finger I have it on I use the other. I found a thick quality packaging tape like duck brand works well. Just like having a thick skin on your finger and I can get a LOT of thimbles out of that roll.

I have never mastered the thimble. I have tried plastic, metal and leather but I can't stand it when my finger feels sweaty.

Well, once again, I'll say what I do. I've used thimbles off and on for garment sewing over the years but when I began to try to learn hand quilting, I realized the thimble was driving me crazy. I bought 4 or 5, metal and the soft rubber or vinyl kind. Nothing worked well; they wouldn't stay on, or they got in the way. In desperation on day I cut the thumb and finger out of an old kid glove (dress glove) that fit my hand nicely, and what do you know?! The glove fingers fit, stay on, and protect my fingers. I cut the glove fingers rather long, at least two inches and they stay on well. I still have problems wearing something on the under hand, though, because I need to "feel" the needle.

I do at times use the soft rubber thimble I bought, along with the glove fingers, but I don't think I'll ever learn to use a metal thimble for hand quilting.

I have an expensive, silver Thimblelady thimble, and gel ones, and leather ones, little stainless steel pads that stick to your fingers, etc, etc. I have found that a cheap metal thimble works as well as any of them. The secret is in how you hold the needle to the thimble when using it. I put the needle on the "side" of the thimble when sewing and using the tip of the thimble when pushing the needle through the fabric. I don't know if that explains it very well but it is the technique more than the thimble. I had tried years to use thimbles and always thought that it had to be the thimble and not my technique using it. It seems so simple. I was watching a lady in one of my groups using one and just sat and watched her. I realized how she was manipulating the needle on the thimble.
So one day, as I was sewing on a binding and it just clicked to use the needle on the side of the thimble and the flat, dimpled end to push through the fabric like my friend was doing and lo, I was finally using a thimble!! Hope that helps. Try not to spend lots of money on thimbles, the cheapy ones work fine once the technique is figured out...

I use the sticky leather dots. Buy them by the package. Have them stuck to pin cushions, spools of thread, lamp, side of machine but I only use them when I really need one.

I learned a long time ago when I started hand sewing what thimble to use and on what finger. A few pokes and drops of blood taught me. I keep my thimbles nearby. Have about 3 of 7 different kinds.