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What Is a Thimble For?

Quilting FAQ

Question by Sarah: What is a thimble for?
I've been quilting up a storm and my fingers hurt. (My "pointer" and thumb.) Would a thimble prevent this? Obviously, they are not age specific, but I always think of old women when I think thimble. Do they even still make thimbles?

If this is not what a thimble is intended for, anyone else have any ideas on what to do so my fingers make it?

Thanks for any input you can give!!!
My fingers are sore from pushing the needle, not from pricking. Will it still help?

Best answer:

Answer by Bobert
That's exactly what a thimble is made for!

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!
[wprebay kw="quilting+thimble" num="0" ebcat="14339"]
[wprebay kw="quilting+thimble" num="1" ebcat="14339"]
[wprebay kw="quilting+thimble" num="2" ebcat="14339"]

Originally posted 2010-09-01 14:51:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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4 Responses

  1. Linda S

    2010 Sep 01 1

    Yes, a thimble is used to prevent the pricks!

  2. Chirp

    2010 Sep 01 2

    Think SMART instead of OLD. A thimble protects your finger from the injury caused by pushing with a bare finger – it will help much more with ‘pushing’ than it will with problems from the needle point. They make special thimbles for your thumb, if you want, but there are also special self-adhesive pads you can buy CHEAP at Walmart, etc., that help with the pushing. By the way, when you shop for a thimble, make sure you get a quilting one – they have a flat end with a ridge around the edge – a sewing one does not have a ridge, and has a curved instead of flat end.
    You’re likely to still have some ‘muscular’ pain after quilting sessions if it’s a new activity for you, but that feels different than the pain from repeatedly poking yourself. To protect your hands, be sure to stop and relax them every 30-45 minutes, and get up and move your body around, too. I’ve known quilters who weren’t careful about this and ended up needing surgery for repetitive stress injuries – NO ONE needs that!
    Good luck with your ‘ouchies’, and welcome to the addiction!

  3. Roman C

    2010 Sep 01 3

    To save your fingers when doing needle work. Those little dents all over the end of the thimble help hold the needle while pushing to save the finger tips. My mother used to use them to thump with if we misbehaved when we were children. She was a rough old NDN!

  4. Quilting with Malke

    2010 Sep 01 4

    A thimble can be good for avoiding direct contact under pressure. A leather thimble might be what you’re looking for: http://www.sew-materialistic.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=3062