Anyone tried to do searches for thimbles??They are hard to find!! I did find Roxanne's. I have a silver thimble w/a attachment on the end of it w/a lip to help keep the needle from slipping. Anyone know of GOOD thimbles??I'm not excited about the discount store ones...I'm ready to make a good investment for myself. Help! Skeat

I have never found a thimble I liked. :?

My favorite thimble is a silver one from 1900s

I bought it on ebay..

I have a few in different sizes if any of you are interested.. I was going to put them in my online store...

Here is what I like about them...

They are light weight, so they arent hard to use for extended time..
and they are sturdy,, as in they are thick enough to not wear a hole in them, probably in your lifetime..

Let me know if you are interested in any of the ones I have..

My problem is finding one to fit! I have such tiny hands.

My favorites are the leather ones.

I have some very tiny ones

One of the gals I quilt weekly with has a thimble w/a brass or gold softer finish on the top that looks like a plate w/an edge. It is really pretty. She doesn't remember where she got it. I have an old one too that I cherish from my grandma that I use to use but, I dont want anything to happen to it. As far as ebay, I gave that up when they went strictly to paypal. Put some pics up on your site Judy...then go and do a search for them....you might be the only store listing any! I can not find them. (nothing against clover, but, that isn't what I am wanting to invest in-an heirloom of sorts)You would think for a cherished item that is important to so many, there would be some great art works for us! Keep post'n quilters! We still are looking:))Skeat

Skeat, you are very close to me right?
You can try them on when you come for applique classes...

I bought a new thimble today. It's a "featherweight Raised-Edge Thimble" made by The Colonial Needle Company. Wasn't very expensive but I've never tried one of these before. I found the "perfect" thimble several years ago -- it was made of leather and had a metal indented top. However, the leather comes apart after a short time and doesn't take to gluing or anything else that I could figure out. I found a couple of these at our Ben Franklin when it was closing down. The first one literally fell apart from age and the second one the cat found and chewed it to pieces. Plus -- guess what? They don't make them anymore. :cry: :cry:

I haven't been getting to many catalogs lately but did get one this last week. Was looking for some thimbles. My problem too is getting them to fit. I think my fingers are between a med. and a sm. So its hard for me. Med falls off my fingers small doesn't fit that well. But there are a couple in there that are made to wet fit to fingers and then let dry. Has anyone tried them?

The catalog is Clotilde. thimbles are on page 19, or you can check on thier web page, Clotilde.com

Hope this helps some of you and if you do happen to find one that actually fits I would be grateful if you let me know. I am going to try those I mentioned and will tell you, that is if I remember lol. Memory a problem

Rita

My favorite thimble is the Dritz quilters leather deerskin thimble. They fit tight at first but do strech out and eventually they wear through but I Love, Love, Love it it fits good is comfortble and by far the best one I have found! here is a link to one on the Joann site.

http://www.joann.com/joann/search/se...questid=548146

I found a leather thimble with a little silver coin in the center at Joann's yesterday. I think it is Dritz, and they are half price through Sunday. I only used it for a little today but it fit nice and seems to do the job.

Here's an interesting site I found the other day for them...anyone seen them at shows? How cute is the cage for them too:) Go to: http://www.thimblesetc.com/ I might have to rent out my dh for one:)

It looks like they took their designs from the old ones..

At any rate, if I have one that fits you, I can sell it to you for about half that amount.. around $25 or $30....

Ill try to put some up on the shopping cart in the next few days...

I was never able to use a thimble until I tried Roxanne's. They're expensive but at least I can use it. Now I can't sew without a thimble! I know, weird!

ditto

I have never been able to use a thimble either. I don't know about Roxanne :oops: . Who is "she"?

My problem lies in holding the needle while wearing the thimble. I suppose I'm just a klutz, but I hold a needle with my thumb, index and middle fingers. Am I too old to learn a new trick? I'm told that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. :lol:

That's the exact same leather thimble I was talking about. I love it! It stays in place and definitely does the job. $5 or so isn't a bad price for a thimble either! :D

Hey I paid $4.95 for mine months ago. It is $2.00 right now at Joann's.......I am going to invest in a few to have them on hand! I'm really glad this subject came up! Thanks for the link Up North!

I checked the Joann site and there isn't a one I haven't tried and hated, but then I did tell you that apparently I have a weird size. All the leather ones don't fit, and even wetting them and letting them dry do not shrink the timbles to fit my fingers. Metal small is real tight, and med is to large. O woe is me. :(

Hope someone having problems find some good ones. Good luck

Rita

http://www.createforless.com/Dill+Jelly+Fingers+Thimbles+18mm+Multicolor+Bright +24+pc/pid129302.aspx?SI=2a14425c-d811-4be7-881b-b38c9e5a73e2[url]

Maybe those would work?

the leather ones don't fit, and even wetting them and letting them dry //Try putting that leather thimble in a pocket and run it in the washer and dryer...bet it will fit after that;))And, I too use my middle finger holding the needle and have to tell you that you will get use to that thimble as it was strange to use for awhile. Now I can't live w/o it:))Just keep using it and you will feel the same way soon:). Thanks for all the sites posted so far and I am glad too this is good conversation on thimbles. Glad to know I am not the only one on the hunt:). Skeat

I like the $1 safety thimbles from Walmart. Been quilting with them for 22 years. I have tried others, including the expensive ones, but this works well for me.

Also, it depends on how you quilt. My girlfriend pushes the needle with the side of the thimble, and I use the top. I have another friend who does something weird with her thumbnail. Different approaches to the needle require different finger protection.

Here's her thimbles.
http://www.thatperfectstitch.com/thimbles_right.html
Her daughter is running the business now.
http://www.thatperfectstitch.com/

My husband bought me one that was a little too big and I did not want to hurt his feelings so I put a bit of my batting around my finger and shoved it on. It is very comfortable and I can use it for hours!

I bought a pair of Roxanne thimbles last summer and I love them!

I hate to ask, but what is the purpose of a pair of thimbles? I can't use one, what would I do with two? :oops:

I hate to ask, but what is the purpose of a pair of thimbles? I can't use one, what would I do with two? ///Oh, Gail...I have to answer this one:))I personally have at least '2' of everything for several reasons. If I sew downstairs and come up later...I am not running around to find what I might have left down, etc. I spend my time sewing instead. Also, when I travel, I am ready to roll and if something gets lost on the way or the way home, I have my back up!;) With real life crazy in this house, company showing up, phone calls, kid stuff, etc....I think I am a girl scout in sewing;) Hope that helps ...Skeat

Great information on the thimbles.

Thanks, Skeat. :lol: I hear ya. Probably for the same reason I have so many pairs of tiny scissors and clippers. And I can never find on when I need one. I suppose I don't see the "need" for 2 thimbles, cuz I have so much difficulty using ONE that I never use one. And I can't imagine having to have TWO. Of course, I have a variety of thimbles that are useless to me because either they don't fit or they aren't suited to me. But I really think I'm ready to get one of those Roxanne's.

I just ordered 5 of them that is a great price and I have a friend that wants one, can't find them in the store here. I never knew how to use a thimble until I watched Alex Anderson one day and they showed the propper way. I was wearing it on my pointer finger instead of my middle finger now it works perfect!!

Gail, I totally understand w/the not being able to use a thimble. I thought at first you might as well as put a rock on my finger.:) I now can not live w/o one! Well, I could, but, I no longer have holes in my fingers, my DNA on my projects from that, etc:)). I also realized I was having a hard time finding one that didn't drop off my finger when I turned it upside down or cut off my circulation. Well, I did find one that didn't do either...and, bought it!:))I forced myself to use it and actually started using it to push the needle thru on purpose...and, loved that driving action:))Such control!:0)Now, I love that puppy! So, my advice is to make sure it fits and just force yourself to try it for awhile and I bet you will love it too. And, no more sore spots on your fingers:))The roxanne comes recommended from many around here too. Keep us posted on your thimble progress! I am sure it will be helpful to so many :))Keep stitch'n Gail!! Skeat

I have two of several things. There is a small kit in my purse for when I go quilting at church on Tuesdays. I do not have to remember anything. I always bring my purse with me so I am all set, if I am not going to work on my own stuff.

I like that thinking Boston!!:0)Great idea too! Skeat

I have a Roxanne thimble and love it. After wearing it, I sometimes forget I have it on. It comes in different sizes.

Hi,

I also vote for the leather ones. I have more than a dozen of them scattered through out my house. Since I am a hand quilter for hire I usually go through one everytime a do a full size or larger quilt. I also quilt with both hands so I use a shorter black leather one on my left thumb. When I quilt left handed I push with my thumb. The leather ones I like best are made of deerskin, have a plastic round disk in them and elastic that helps them stay on. I get them at quilt shops and have gotten some of them through catalogues etc. I prefer the ones that are light brown. I even have a pattern for making my own but haven't used it yet. I have never learned to use a metal one.

I just found a new one that is called a jelly thimble. I like the way it fits my finger. i have a hard time with the leather ones being left handed the needle always seems to fall on the seam of the thimble.

My favorite thimble I found at an auction, believe it or not. It's an old one, although I don't have a clue about the age. If you or anyone wants, I have some very small ones that if you would like to try them, just PM me, I'll send them to you.

Oh, I love this topic! I learned to sew everything, even embroidery with a thimble when I was about 6 years old. My Granny and my mom never let us touch a needle without a thimble. I have one with a lip at the top that I love. I use it on my middle finger and push the needle through with.

I tried the leather ones and they just don't last long enough. I have a jell one to use when I have a hang nail but it just feel as this one made in Spain. I have an allergy to nickle but this thimble has never broken me out. It doesn't go far from my side ever.

Hope you find one you like, Skeat!
Hugs,
Sharon

Skeat,
I love TJ Lane thimbles. I have two of them and can wear them for hours with no discomfort. I have arthritic bumps on my knuckles and these are the only thimbles I can use. They have a lifetime guarantee and can be exchanged at any time for the full purchase price. Look at this site:

http://www.thimbles2fit.com/

All these suggestions are just super!! All of you are better then any google search and I have to say 'personal experience' beats all odds of any search:) I am making notes on all the suggestions, making marks on my favorites to keep my search ongoing!:)I am glad I am NOT the only person in the world stressing out over the 'thimblemania' issues of the world:) I appreciate all you are sharing in the thoughts of this process!! As, I am sure there are others thinking the same mental thanks!! Keep them coming!! Even though I do looooove vintage and objects w/history, I have been warned that the older thimbles can be of a softer metal and may not last and end up w/a sad hole in the end. Which to me, would be such a sad thimble emergency for the thimble:) I really don't know that as a 'true' or not...I still secretly look while at flea markets, etc in their glass cases for those tarnished thimbles!:))Keep your thimble ideas and experiences coming!! It's such a huge help and relief! (They do exist in the real world):)Thanks much! Skeat