Thimbles: What It Is And What Are Its Uses?

A thimble is a small cover that goes on the end of your finger in order to protect it from being pricked by a needle when hand sewing. This is especially important when you are sewing thick fabrics or leather and require a bit of pressure to push the needle through the fabric. They are also important when you are doing prolonged hand sewing or beading where there is an increased risk of you pricking yourself repeatedly. 

It is a cup-like finger protector used for sewing both by tailors and home sewers. Most of the hand quilting thimbles have lots of little indents so that the end of the needle does not slip when you push it through, thus, protecting your finger. 

What finger is a thimble worn on?

A thimble is generally worn on the middle finger but you can put it on your index finger or even thumb if that is more comfortable with your sewing style. Some people may tend to favor wearing mine on my index finger. While the cap style is worn on the end of the finger, some leather styles can encase the whole length. 

Different types of thimbles 

Modern sewing thimbles for hand quilting are made of metal, leather or rubber. Long ago, there used to be ceramic ones with tiny little paintings on them. They were not very practical to use but were extremely beautiful to look at. Some thimbles or finger guards may even have cutouts for your nails to poke through so that there is no need for you to reach for the nail scissors. 

  • Metal thimbles resemble a small cap with a pitted or indented surface. These are cheap and are readily available at sewing and craft shops. 
  • Leather thimbles are quite popular for quilting and hand embroidery as they are more flexible and your finger is going to sweat less. Over time, leather finger coverings mold to your finger, thus, making them even more comfortable. 
  • Rubber thimbles are the ones that are not only used for sewing but also for leafing through paper or money. They provide protection from paper cuts and provide grip. 

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