Just make sure you get fitted properly. they are a bummer if they don't fit.

I mean the Roxanne... not the leather ones. I think my post went out slow.

Thanks Melody. I've been reluctant to order online because of the fitting issue. Think I'll hold out for a 'live' person!

I use Thimblelady's cone thimble for my finger. She also sells thumb thimbles (they look pretty expensive to me). I haven't tried her thumb ones.
http://www.thimblelady.com.au/catego...ools/Thimbles/

I tend to hand quilt in a hoop, so I don't need to quilt in different directions - I just turn the hoop.

I'd be really interested to know what you decide to do - please keep us updated.

I've done this also ;)

I quilt toward myself. I don't know what to tell you about thimbles except find one that fits. I spent a year looking for a thimble until I found one that fit. I found it at a consignment store, not at the LQS or at the fabric stores. Until I found it I could only quilt one stitch at a time.

I struggle so with thimbles too. I don't use one very well- I guess being self taught might not be such a good thing in this case as I've probably never learned to use one properly. Good luck! I keep trying them on!

I have tried the leather thimble with the metal disc and was super frustrated and in February I bit the bullet and bought a metal thimble that has an opening over my nail so my finger can breathe. It was pricey..about $50.00, but I love it and can't imagine hand quilting without it. My biggest problem with hand quilting is my "receiving fingers" that are very calloused and have little prick holes in them. Also the side of my thumb on the push hand has a big callous on it. I love hand quilting and always have to have a project ready for hand work.

Me too.......just can't seem to work with a thimble.

The first quilt that I quilted, which was about 5 years ago, was done one stitch at a time and it was a learning experience. Then I found a friend/neighbor who handquilts and I asked her about thimbles. I was impressed with the number of stitches she could get on a needle! So I started trying a number of different types.... got a drawer full, and most of them never leave the drawer now. I have the 2 favorites that I mentioned earlier (Roxanne and the deeply recessed thimble put out by Colonial) and also I forgot, I used the Clover thimble that looks like Roxanne's but is MUCH cheaper. Now I am able to get more stitches on my needle and keep moving right along. It's very enjoyable. But that said, everybody is different.