As stitchers, our hands are our most important tool, and it's important that we give them the protection that they deserve. That's where thimbles enter the picture.
There are two main types: Pushing Thimbles made of metal to guide needles and Pulling Thimbles made of silicone to help pull needles. Some stitchers like to mix and match. Thimbles can really boost your comfort, precision, and speed when stitching. Let us guide you on choosing the right thimble for the job.
Pushing Thimbles:
Little House Tortoise Shell Thimbles
How to wear/use: The Little House Tortoise Shell Thimble fits around the top inch of your index or middle finger with an adjustable band on the top. The wraparound design allows you to use the pad, tip, and sides of your finger to push the needle through.
Best for: Everyday stitching and sewing with extra protection.
Other features: The open top area is great for those with longer nails and improves breathability. Available in two sizes: Medium and Large.
How to wear/use: The Little House Palm Thimble slides over the middle finger and rests at the top of the palm. The needle can be pushed through as you stitch without having to adjust your finger positioning much.
Best for: Sashiko stitching and other long running stitches.
Other features: The band is adjustable to fit a wide range of finger sizes. The thimble plate is concave with small dimples that help the needle stay in place when pushing through.
Little House Japanese Pincushion Thimble Ring
How to wear/use: The Little House Japanese Pincushion Thimble Ring can be worn on any finger and allows you to have needles or pins handy and ready to use.
Best for: Appliqué or quilting with smaller needles.
Other features: The band is adjustable to fit a wide range of finger sizes. The thimble ring has small dimples that help the needle stay in place when pushing through and is topped with an adorable red gingham pincushion.
How to wear/use: The Tulip Ring Thimble is meant to be worn between the first and second knuckle of your middle finger. Push your needle through using either the inside or outside area of the ring.
Best for: Working with shorter needles, such as those used in quilt binding or appliqué.
Other features: Available in three sizes: 16mm, 16.5mm, and 17mm diameter.
How to wear/use: The Tulip Adjustable Ring Thimble can be worn two different ways. The first is at the base of the middle finger just above the palm, with the dimpled area on the inside of your finger. This is useful when pushing sashiko and other long stitches through. The other way is between the first and second knuckle, with the dimpled area on the outside of your finger. This is helpful for stitching through thicker fabrics and everyday stitching.
Best for: Sashiko stitching, stitching through thicker fabrics, and everyday stitching. Also useful for working with shorter needles for quilt binding and appliqué.
Other features: The ring band is adjustable to fit a wide range of finger sizes.
Tulip Adjustable Sashiko Ring Thimble
How to wear/use: The Tulip Adjustable Sashiko Ring Thimble slides over the middle finger and sits at the top of the palm. The needle can be pushed through with your palm rather than your finger.
Best for: Sashiko stitching and other long running stitches.
Other features: The ring band is adjustable to fit a wide range of finger sizes. The thimble plate is concave with multiple dimples to prevent the needle from slipping while pushing it through your fabric.
How to wear/use: Peel and stick a Leather Colonial Thimble Pad to the surface of the finger that you will use to push your needle. Then, use this padded area to push the needle through your fabric.
Best for: Everyday stitching. Great for those that find regular thimbles too bulky.
Other features: Less bulky than most thimbles. The Thimble pads can be reused multiple times. Stack two pads on top of each other for maximum protection.
Pulling Thimbles:
Little House Rubber Cap Thimbles
How to wear/use: Slip one of these Little House Rubber Cap Thimbles over your index finger. This thimble is better for gripping and pulling your needle through your project but does not offer as much protection as the metal thimbles.
Best for: Stitching with thicker threads or threads that are difficult to pull through.
Other features: The stretchy rubber can fit over a wide range of finger sizes. Available in three sizes: Small, Medium, and Large. These thimbles have small nubs to help grip and holes for breathability.
How to wear/use: The Bohin Finger Cot thimble slides over the tip of your index or middle finger and helps you grip and pull your needle through.
Best for: Gripping your needle and pulling it through your fabric. Also useful for guiding your fabric when sewing with a machine.
Other features: Available in two sizes: Medium and Large. The tip of the thimble can be opened, allowing longer nails to fit through the top.
How to wear/use: Each pack of Silicone Needle Pullers comes with two different sizes of needle pullers. One is meant to be worn on the thumb, and the other on the index finger. These thimbles are meant to help pull your needle through your fabric.
Best for: Gripping and pulling your needle through fabric.
Other features: Available in four different size combinations: Medium/Small, Extra Large/Medium, Large/Medium, and Extra Large/Large. The tip of the thimble is open, allowing for longer nails to fit through.
We want to help keep your precious fingertips safe while you happily stitch away! We hope this guide has given you some great tips on choosing the right thimbles!