NJ Quilter

I think I've used every kind of thimble over the years for various types of handwork. What I am now using and love is the stainless steel Thimblelady Thimble. They are cone shaped with an open top so you push with the pad of your finger. They are (I think) very reasonably priced for what they are (I think I paid $35). I tried their plastic one first to see how I would like the style/size. Their sizing instructions I found very accurate. Granted, I wore out the first stainless one I bought and have replaced it but still worth the $$ in my opinion. They have lasted me several years each. And if I got in the habit of using more than the couple of dimples I typically do, I'm sure they would last much longer. I also find pushing with the pad of my finger versus the top is much more comfortable and I'm able to quilt for long periods without finger pain.

virtualbernie

I like/use them too! I buy lots of them when I see a good price so I don't run out.

JReadman

I collect all kinds of thimbles and my sister brought me one back from Alaska made of seal skin - it's very comfortable to wear and I just love it! Here is a website www.rushintailor.com where you can order them for only $5.50.

Peckish

I've struggled with thimbles also. I think I own one of every kind made. My problem is I don't use them for hand quilting, I use them for sewing, and I push the needle with the side of my finger, not the tip. I was using the black leather ones for a while, but the seams were on the side of my finger where I push, so sometimes the head of the needle would pop through the seam. Now I'm using a leather thimble made by Clover, the seams land on the top of my finger. So far I like this one best, although I can tell I'm eventually going to wear a hole through the side.

I think my next best thimble is the cone-shaped one I purchased from the Thimble Lady. Just takes some getting used to, I guess.

JReadman, I checked out that sealskin thimble and cannot imagine how you use it! Is that fur on the outside? How can you tell where your needle and thread are? Can you post a picture of yours, the one on that website is kind of hard to see because it's so small.

Rose S.

I have yet to find the perfect thimble...my fingers are wide at the end...they do not taper like most peoples. So have a hard time finding one I like to wear. Have not been using one much lately and when I do, I use a metal one that is a bit big so the tip of my finger is not smashed till it hurts. I also have use the leather thimble that is actually shaped like a metal thimble. It has a metal end...I really like it but the metal came loose and fell out.

SouthPStitches

I hand quilt and cannot get used to any kind of thimble, no matter how hard I've tried. I remember my Gram would use a thimble to sew on even a simple button. I put one on and it's like I've developed two left hands. My fingers get so sore, especially when I push too hard and the needle's eye penetrates the fingertip. Feels so good when I stop!

turner0106

I'm new to hand quilting and I have tried many. the best for me are the jelly with the metal top or the leather with the coin thing. The leather stretches and comes off. So I have used the little rubber office finger to help hold it on. I also bought this thing that fits on like a ring with a round disk it doesn't work well at all.

Good luck

nellie

i found this nice wedsite for hand thimbles ,it made of rubber but light on finger and thick so needle won,t poke through. it,s called PQF thimbles and web is called www.customthimbles.com and there phone # is 605-583-2525 there shop is in San Francisco, ca

QuiltingCrazie

I just bought a clover leather one because my other leather one kept falling off and the metal plate came out and on...my only complaint is that I use the thimble on my thumb and I have big fingers so it doesn't fit great. The clover was the only one i could buy here because that's all the quilt store carried. I will say it's very nice and comfortable and for 15 dollars Im glad it is! Where the seam is I will never get poked either!

FranW

I use the jelly thimbles. I have several different sizes as my fingers seem to change sizes with the weather!