50th time around...wanna thimble

Well, I tried the Roxanne's thimble and found it to be too heavy. I just couldn't adjust to the weight with my arthritis. Believe me, I was very happy when the store gave me a complete refund. I then found the Thimblelady thimble and found it to be just right. It fits lower on the finger, covering the joint and keeps it straight. You push the needle with the finger pad area. It may sound awkward, but it works really well for me.

I have a timblelady for quilting and a few cheepos for binding or very rare use on other needlework. My thimblelady thimble doesn't cover my knuckle like Bonnie's does. She has a few different styles to choose from some are made to cover the knuckles some don't. I don't know if they are for you though. You have to use a different technique than traditionally used and so you would have to adjust for that. I don't know how long you've been quilting so it may be even harder if you've been doing it for years (the ones that fit over the knuckle are supposed to help with this - I am new to quilting and am just starting myself out with her technique right away, so it was not an issue for me) Also if you use your thimble for more that just quilting the dimples in the thimblelady's may not work for cross stitch etc. because of how her dimples are set up (sorry, I haven't tried it cause I just don't use one for cross stitching myself) The dimples are set up for you to use the pads of your finger tips so that is where the deepest dimples are.

If you are leaning towards a thimble lady I would try the inexpensive plastic ones first so you can figure out the right size and if it will work for you before you invest the big bucks so to speak. I haven't used mine alot as I haven't had the time I need to concentrate on learning my technique (not hard just need to make it habit so I don't have to think about it while doing it), but I really love it so far. Also her technique is supposed to be better for your hands than the traditional method. I really recommend you at least research hers some more to see if it would work for you.

By the way Happy 50th Birthday!!!!

Happy 50th for whenever!

All our locals swear by the Thimble Lady thimbles, and their service for fitting is good (exchanges, etc) so distance is not an issue. She teaches a different method of quilting that is supposed to allow those with wrist problems and arthritis to continue to quilt despite their "injuries", but I know that at least two of the sewers here use her thimbles for all their sewing activities because they are so comfortable.

NAYY, and I have not seen or tried the Roxanne one. I don't even hand quilt anymore, and I use a leather thimble pad for my applique! So what do I really know rofl. But the TL's thimbles and holders are so lovely to look at I would like one just to wear!

Does anyone have a link to a Roxanne thimble? And any comments

Does anyone have a link to a Roxanne thimble?

Here's one:

That is a good thought about the T.Lady's thimble. The new ones are only bands around the finger. Not much good for general needlework. OTOH I do have heirloom silver thimbles to do the mundane stuff, I suppose.

I have been quilting for about five years, on and off (mostly off) and my technique is evolving, so a new methos is still possible I think.

How much does the Roxannne weigh? They DO look very heavy.

BTW I only have long nails when I stick them on. Bad case of the nibbles I'm afraid. So I don't absolutely need an open ended thimble.

Any> Happy 50th for whenever!

She does still have the older version (open cut shape) on her website as well. Price is the same for both. The open cut is what mine is not the cone.

Howdy!

What a good review, Charlotte! Thanks!

2 months ago I bought one of these Clover Open-Sided Thimbles at the Ft.Worth quilt show, to see if I'd like the change, from pushing w/ the tip of my finger to using the pad, instead. I like it. However, after near-constant use, 4-6 hours a day,most every day, the needle wore a hole in the thimble (cheaper metalthan I'd prefer, but it is lightweight). As an experiment theprice was right, the thimble is (mostly) comfortable w/ a tiny piecedof rolled up masking tape stuck inside to keep it steady on my finger.However, I have a new callus on the knuckle (near the nail) of mythimble finger, sometimes the edge of the thimble hits too hard there,so I'd wear a band-aid under it. Really, it's a nice littlethimble, just not long-lasting. But it did teach me to adjust tousing the pad of my finger for pushing the needle. Now I'm ready to test drive some of the other, pricier models.Haven't felt the need, in the past, too spend Big Bucks on a thimble,but I'm ready, and, doggone-it!: I'm worth it! Nice to know about the weight of the Roxanne thimble. Happy Birthday, Nel! Ragmop/Sandy

Personally, I didn't care for the Roxanne thimble -- but I know I'm a minority. It was heavy and just wasn't right for me because of the way I push the needle (not with the top of my finger, but with the pad).

The thimble I ended up with and love is by TJ Lane. It's a very plain one with a completely open top (a tailor's thimble in style). I bought an equally plain thimble cage with chatelaine for it from her and have since added a needle threader and tiny pin cushion to hang from the chatelaine. I love them! :)

I loooove my Roxanne thimble. It took a lot of getting used to because it *is* heavy. Also, properly fitted, it is a bit tighter than I was used to. But after using it all day at a hand quilting class 2 years ago, taught by Dierdra, Roxanne's daughter, I started making the teeniest lovely stitches! I'd never go back to any other thimble, in fact I've given away all my other ones. 'Course, if I ever lose it 'twill take a 2nd mortgage on the house to afford another.

Happy B'day :-)

Anne > Ok then. Mum wants to buy me a birthday present for my half century.