Thimble alternatives.
 

I don't usually use a thimble, but sometimes when stitching thru layers or heavy fabric, I find I need something other than my finger to push the needle thru. I've never been able to get a thimble to work for me. What works best for me is to put a band aid on my finger, positioning the padded part on the part of my finger I naturally want to use to push the needle. Works great! I was just wondering if anyone has come up with other alternatives for those of us who are "thimble challenged".

My preference are thimbles which are sized to my finger, because I could not get a generic thimble stay on my finger, so before I found the sized ones I used a leather thimble, which wasn't much help on some fabrics, so used a spoon to push it through.

Hahaha, I've used a spoon, too!

I have, in the past, used pliers to pull the needle, but the slowed me down something awful.

I used the screw area of a pair of scissors to push the needle through.

My thimble fingers are too fat for regular thimbles! I use the kidskin (goat?) leather protectors for my finger. They work great on the "pushing" finger, which, for me, is the middle finger on my right hand.

Thimbles are an acquired taste I think. I started sewing with a thimble as a child because my mother and grandmother always used one. I now have their silver thimbles along with a sliver thimble my husband bought me over 40 years ago. Each time I wear one of those thimbles it gives me such comfort and warm fuzzies. I wear mine in my middle finger. You need to have one that is the right size so you don't have to struggle to keep it on. To get used to it I suggest wearing it when you aren't sewing so it becomes a natural feeling on the end of your finger. The more you wear it the more comfortable it should begin to feel. I feel naked trying to sew without a thimble. If you have long fingernails you might try one with an open end on it for your finger nail to go through.

I love the Spider Works W'nder Thimble at quilterslittlehelper.com. I had never used a thimble before I started quilting and all of the ones I tried felt awkward. I think they also make one that is heavier duty called Diamond Thimble but I haven't been able to find one. The one I have is considered light duty finger protection but it has lasted for stitching on many bindings.

I use Thimble Pads, the leather pads that adhere right to your finger. They're reusable; I get 6-8 reapplications out of them before the adhesive starts to fail. When I need to really pull the needle through several layers of fusible web or if I'm working with perle cotton embroidery, I add one to my thumb so I can grip the needle easily. It's never failed to work easily and smoothly for me. And I have never had a needle go through the pad, no matter how hard I pushed or how small the needle. Love 'em!

I like the Dritz leather thimbles. Once it warms up to body temperature, I completely forget it's even there.