My blog-friend Toni wanted to know what thimbles people recommend. Well, I recommend these ;-)
When I lived in Germany, I had a summer job working on a production line at a company that made heating components or some such thing. The other girls showed me their thimbles which were cut-off leather glove fingers and these were indispensable for doing something that we did with cogs (memory fails me here...)
Anyway, a few years back, I bought a pair of purple leather gloves at a flea market/antiques-type fair and thought they'd be great for these homemade thimbles. When I mentioned to the vendor that I wanted them very snug as I was going to cut the fingers off she looked aghast LOL. Never mind, I probably use the fingers more than anyone ever used the gloves as they were in mint condition.
I use these 'finger-hats' for just regular stitching as well as quilting and they work a treat!
I think I threw the other glove away after chopping off all the fingers, but this glove still has 3 thimbles left :-)
(To make your own, remember that a really snug glove or pair of gloves works best as the leather does tend to soften and stretch with age. And ideally in red or purple LOL!!)
16 comments:
That is a brilliant idea!
What a brilliant idea!
Great idea, lovely gloves!
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing this genius idea. I have wanted one of these leather thimbles for quite a while but the price is exorbitant in the sewing shops, so I am working without one. I will be visiting my local thrift shop soon to look for leather gloves!
Great tip (pardon the pun) ;o)
This is super, and if you saved the glove (sans fingers) would it work as a quilting glove for free-motion with your DSM? Just might?!
This is great!
What a fabulous tip!
Thanks for the great tip!
Looks like you also need to get non-lined leather gloves. These are great and they are purple...now to find a lime pair of gloves :)
I shall have to try using old clove fingers... Thanks for the hint!
I like the idea of using fingers from leather gloves. I have made leather thibles before sort of like skin thimbles. But with the fngers already the right size, I can iagine just using a small reinforcement on the inside in the area where the needle would hit.
Fantastic. One of those lightbulb moments where I wonder why we have not all thought of because it is so perfect.
There is nothing quite like getting exactly what you need. Glad you have found what works for you!
I found your blog through Bonnie's thimble link up.
Ditto everyone else's 'brilliant idea' !! :D
This is such a great idea! I have a seal skin leather thimble that is my most favorite thimble of all. I bought it when I was in Alaska from a Native Alaska women. I never used it, because it just didn't fit right, until one day I was told to soak in in warm water then put it on my finger. That way the leather thimble would dry and form to just the right size. It worked! I love thimbles and have a lot, but my little leather one is the only one I use. I've tried to figure out how she made it, but it's beyond me. Now, if I ever loose it I can at least try your way. In fact I probably will anyway just to see if I like it better. Thank you for sharing your post!
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