Finding a Sewing Thimble That Fits
Article Summary: Fitting a sewing thimble requires locating one that is loose enough to be comfortable while still tight enough that it will stay on. The material a thimble is made from also affects the fitting, and extra features may affect the fit and comfort.
A thimble is an important tool for use in sewing. While it is commonly recognized for protecting the finger against needle pricks as it is, it also provides a sturdy surface for use in pushing the head of a needle through thick fabric. Doing this repeatedly without a thimble can lead to a great deal of pain since there is a greater than normal amount of force is concentrated in a very small area on the fingertip.
Quilting and needlepoint are two types of sewing where some type of finger protection is almost mandatory. As important as having a thimble is, having a thimble that fits badly is of no use whatsoever. If it is too tight it can cut off the circulation or cause pain in and of itself, and if it is too loose it can slide around and make it difficult to get a purchase on the needle. It could also easily fall off and get lost which rather defeats the purpose of having a thimble in the first place.
Most people prefer to find a thimble that fits the middle finger of their dominant hand. Others use their first finger, but depending on the type of thimble this can hinder pulling a needle through the cloth through. Placement of the thimble, or thimbles, depends more on preference than anything else. There are many different types of thimbles, and which type is preferred is another thing that depends on the person who will be using it.
For example, many quilters prefer leather thimbles that are more flexible and allow them to feel the needle coming through the fabric. These thimbles are generally longer and cover at least the first knuckle, but they are more easily fit to a particular finger since they are basically two strips of cloth sewed together into a pocket shape. They are intended to fit snugly enough that they will not fall off, but because they have a longer pocket and are therefore more stable, they don’t necessarily have to fit quite as snugly as a hard thimble.
Plenty of people do prefer hard thimbles, which though they have to be a bit more snug on the finger are less likely to wear out and have to be replaced. While souvenir-type thimbles that most people are familiar with are generally of the one size fits all variety and not really intended for any sort of serious use, many manufacturers make multiple sizes from the very small to the extra large. As with rings, some thimble makes even cast them down to the half and quarter sizes, and with a little shopping around it is possible to find one that is quite comfortable.
Another type of metal thimble is one with a completely open top, looking something like a ring worn on the top of the finger. An adjustable version of this sort is available where it is fit onto the finger and then squeezed to the appropriate tightness. For pushing a needle through heavy material these might not be appropriate, but for lighter repetitive sewing they can be an inexpensive compromise for something more perfectly fitted initially.
“Fit” can mean more than just how well the thimble stays on a person’s finger; it can also refer to how well it suits the needs of the sewer. Some manufacturers add extra features that may be worth considering once a primary size and type has been determined. For those with long fingernails, there are thimbles slits in the tops of the pockets to allow the nails to slip out so there is no danger of them being bent or broken.
Some thimbles also have needle guides to make sewing a bit easier, while others use venting to allow the finger to breathe. The most important part of thimble fitting is to select one that is neither too tight to be comfortable nor too loose to be useful, done in a material that the sewer is comfortable with. Extra features may add value depending on the person the thimble is for. Using a thimble can make sewing a little easier and does not require a great deal of effort to locate or fit, making one a worthwhile addition to a sewing kit.