I am in the market for a thumb thimble for hand quilting. I'm looking at Thimblelady's and Ted Storm's Thumb Thimble. Does anyone have any experience with either? How about T. J. Lane's thimbles? I need a silver thimble because of allergies.
I have an urge to try using my Grace Z44 floor frame again so I need to get better at thumb quilting. I have a Roxanne thimble I bought for my thumb, but my hands are large so the thimble is huge and awkward to use. I thought that since Thimblelady's and Ted's thimbles have an open end they might not be so cumbersome.
I use a leather thimble from ceratech called the skin thimble...I could never get used to a metal thimble and grating of the needle on the metal really irritated me. I found the skin thimbles online oneday by chance...they come in many versions, the one I like the best has a plastic shield inside that wraps around your fingertip. You can find these online at some quilt shops but you won't find the best assortment unless you go to the manufaturer's website CERATECH.com . Obviously being very soft leather they do wear out but the cool thing is that as one side wears out you can flip it over and use the other side. They have one with a metal insert too but it does not wrap around over your finger tip...give it a look....I have used them for years now and believe me I have tried everything on the market...these are the greatest. Hope this helps you!
newport, tennessee "may there always be work for your hands to do"
newport, tennessee
"may there always be work for your hands to do"
I have a T.J.Lane sterling silver thimble and love it. If you can go to where they are selling them (I bought mine at the Pigeon Forge quilt show 2 or 3 years ago) they will fit it right to the finger you are wanting to wear it on. If you have a knuckle or callous that has to be accommodated, they will fit it to that. I saw them again at the same show and they said they can be altered and are guaranteed. I have a nickle allergy and these don't botther that. Hope this helps you out.
Diana in East Tn.
I have never got use to using a thimble, they seem to always get in my way and never ever fit my fingers. Always slipping off etc. I have very tiny fingers so I now have a very pretty collection of thimbles that just sit in a box.
Julienne
Hi Julienne. You might consider sellomg them on Ebay or a garage sale. Unfortunately, I think you have to actually use before you know whether you like them or not. I personally like the little ones that stick on your finger.
Georgetown, CA I'd Rather Be Quilting
i like the little bright colored plastic ones with the metal ends., they stick well on my fingers.
gini in north idaho
gini:i like the little bright colored plastic ones with the metal ends., they stick well on my fingers.
Gini, I just recently found those and I like them, too. Mine is pink. I haven't tried one on my thumb, but I am quilting on that Wild West quilt that I showed at retreat and I could sure use one on my thumb. I don't know if I could quilt with one on my thumb, but it would sure be handy to be able to quilt with both finger and thumb.
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Thanks ladies. I went to Jinny Beyer's studio a few days ago and bought a T. J. Lane. It's light weight with good dimples, and I think I'm going to like it. It felt so nice that I bought another one for my quilting finger. I think I can handle the needle with both thimbles on. I practiced thumb quilting but I'm going to need a lot more practice. Anyway, anxious to finish my current project so I can set up my frame and give it another try.
I had posted earlier that I could not find any that would work on my fingers. I had not heard of this plastic ones until now. I will have to find these and see if these will work on my fingers. Thanks for the information. ~ Julienne
They are actually almost a rubber with a metal tip. Once you put it on it sort of adheres to your finger and feels great. I love mine.
Vinton, Virginia
I have an open thimble from Clover that I love so much I wore it out. But sadly is is not silver.