Thimbles, now I need to FIND one!

Gosh, Nel, I wish I had an answer for you! I know how much I love having a thimble that works so well for me, so I can imagine how frustrated you must be right now. Best of luck finding just what you want -- are there any shows coming up near you? A vendor at a show might be the best solution.

I'm (DV) going to one on Sunday, but i'm not holding my breath. it seems I might have to go to a jeweller to get one (read lots andlots of jewellers and antique shops, because they all seem to do "only one-size-fits-all" domed top ones for collectors), or risk ebay (yeugh!).

Quilter's thimbles are just not recognised here it seems.

(Th> >

Assuming you want to see/try and need a "local" seller - have you asked someone in another sewing group? Maybe an embroiderer or seamstress could point you to a retailer/supplier you don't know? Even a call to the Royal School of Needlework might help.

And while I no longer post there, rctn can be helpful with answers and advice. You could post a question over there.

Also - have you tried going the reverse route? Ask the Silversmiths' Guild for names of any members who make thimbles.

Another thought - a friend of mine brought some beautiful old thimbles back from France and Italy.

Have you checked French suppliers? At least they are closer, and they are more likely to be able to name an English outlet for their goods.

Have you looked for Bohn brand sewing notions? They make both sewing and quilting thimbles (as well as all sorts of other notions) My girlfriend got a nice basic thimble by them at Houston. Apparently they are a French company.

marcella

Here's a Roxanne's in UK They actually mention making thimbles and quote about 30pounds each

A silversmith in Cumbria specialising in thimbles

Just browsing and found these. You may have already checked them out

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Cheryl. The way you find things is amazing. And ... Cumbria is up in the far north of the country, as is Nel. How did you manage that? I'm beginning to wonder about your preternatural powers >gg< (Witch of the West might be right!)

In message , CATS writes

lol actually I am not very good at searches. Just lack of practise really. But I used to run the Defence Equipment inventory so search engines are familiar territory to me because long long before Google appeared I was describing items as "SHOES, MENS, BLK, DRESS, SZ9.5" so I tend to think in "un-normal" directions (my students' description of how my brain works lol) for search words. It is amazing what can be found on the internet - and how much time you can lose just browsing and getting distracted lol.

There are some real experts on rctq who can find ANYTHING! I bow to their amazing skills.

I do hope Nel finds her perfect thimble. But if she doesn't I am happy to assist in acquiring a ThimbleLady model at the show here in January.

BTW - that site in Cumbria came up because I searched for "silversmith" instead of "silver". There were lots of sites for "silver thimble" searches, but few offering to custom make. Most sites were selling antique thimbles - lovely, but not what Nel wants I think. So I searched for a "maker" (ie. silversmith).

Brilliant, Cheryl! Just the kaind of thing I was looking for, and at a price I can afford. I looked up silversmiths at one point, but it came to nothing, only wholesale sites.

I spent another hour last night looking at German and French sites, but I keep getting sent to eBay shops and duff links! Tres annoying! (how DO you do a e-grave on the laptop? )

Now I shall phone Cumbria (NOT sooo far away, though it will be a (Lovely) day trip) and see what can be achieved. I love her work, only hope it's not too think and heavy, but then if I am commissioning then I can have what I want heh?

Exciting... on a mission...GO!

Nel (Gadget Queen)

CATS wrote:

Keep us posted on progress!

I've been following this search with interest. I've never, in 30 years, seen Nel pick up a needle without slipping on a thimble! ;) It always makes me goggle, as I HAVE a very pretty hallmarked silver one that belonged to Alan's mother, but I never wear one... That isn't a quilting thimble, though I have a nice metal quilting one that Nel gave me that does perfectly for my small hand quilting needs.

My mum has been asking what I want for my own imminent half century, and as I have no need of a thimble, I'm racking my brains!

How about the rest of the chatelaine group (or bits of)? I intend to have a cage made for the thimble that will hang either round my neck (pretty) or on a chain (practical). Then I will get matching needle case; pinwheel; thread cutter or scissor sheath (like my Ginghers, so don't want pritty scissors) can't decide which; thread or bobbin winder and a needle threader.

There are a good selection on

Also check out:

and and a "catch-all" site: I told you I'd been a-looking! HeHeHe!

Anyway (OT) How's things, Kate? Keep looking out to see if DS's garment makes your website. (Is that a big enough hint for a progress report... GD&R)

love Nel (Gadget Queen)

Kate Dicey wrote:

I think you will find the name is "Bohin" - very nice embroidery needles

The above link is the company from whom I've bought all of my thimble "stuff". I started with

1. the thimble cage ,

1. then added a chatelaine .

2. I've also added a needle threader/thread cutter

1. and -- most recently -- a tiny pin cushion .

Each of the last three has been a *major* souvenir from the Houston show, and each was less expensive than shown online. I'd have liked to have added a scissors sheath this year, but it didn't fit my Dovo stork scissors, and I like my scissors too much to want to replace them.

Sorry, the link won't show me which one you chose. Describe. I think these are lovely. Have you enjoyed using them?

I know what you mean about scissors. Air Canada confiscated my best Sheffield-made stork scissors en-route from Chicago to Edmonton in March. They were in checked luggage too. grrrr

Nel (Gadget Queen)

Sandy Foster wrote:

Howdy!

Like their needles, these thimbles are some of my favorite products. I bought 2 more of the thimbles > I bought needles from them at Houston.

I love my thimble from TJ Lane.

However, while I intended to purchase something at Houston and while my friend tried mightly to do so as well....her daughters working the booth were just unpleasant and unhelpful. I asked three times to try the ring thimble that the previous woman had been trying on but the not pleasant daughter just kept telling me how great it was but wouldn't let me try it on. Crazy. TJ is such a sweetheart I was really surprised. My friend tried on a zillion thimbles, explained what she really wanted (which was simply a slight adjustment to their heart thimble) and while the other not pleasant daughter kept saying "oh, we adjusted this thimble like this for Jinny Beyer and did this to this other thimble for another customer" they wouldn't make the adjustment for her. It was very weird. I felt like I was at the wrong booth or something.

I'm glad you got the help you wanted so you could get your pin cushion. I'll wait until the next show and hope TJ is feeling better and well enough the help me out.

marcella

It beats me why they can't just post stuff like that back to you!

Were yours made by Mr Wilkinson? I have the address somewhere... I also have a pair of his hand made forged dressmaker's sheer, in the 7" size: fantastic for thicker fabrics! Can't use things like Gill's HUGE tailor's sheers, as they are so big I drop them!