I have to admit that before Purl Patchwork opened I didn't have a clue about thimbles. They seemed quaint and old fashioned but I didn't really understand their use (... and I thought that you wore them on your thumb!) Now that I hand sew and embroider regularly my thimbles  have become indispensable. I have different kinds for different uses and I thought I'd share with you what they're all for in case anyone out there is similarly clueless.

(The back ground fabric is Avalon from Alexander Henry, a new Purl Patchwork favorite.) 

Traditional Thimbles 

The goat leather thimble is my favorite traditional thimble and thus it's a good place to start. I used to think that thimbles were primarily used as  protection from the sharp end of the needle. But in the case of traditional thimbles that's not true. You wear a traditional thimble (usually on your index or middle finger) to protect your finger from the eye-end of the needle. If you use your index or middle finger to push  the eye-end of a needle enough times your finger will get hurt; that's where a thimble like this comes in handy.

I use my goat leather thimble  primarily for hand quilting. The rocking motion of the hand quilting stitch would be very painful without it because you are constantly pushing the end of the needle with the tip of your finger. (For a more in depth explanation of hand quilting click here.)

You can also wear a thimble for hand piecing to help push the needle through as you do the running stitch.

I prefer the goat leather thimble to a more traditional metal thimble because it's flexible and feels like an extension of my own finger, but a metal thimble works the same way.

Some people prefer the metal thimbles because they don't cover the first finger knuckle. Also their indentations are useful in catching the eye-end of the needle. Our quiltmaking teacher, Cassandra, finds the leather thimbles bulky, while I find the metal ones too rigid.  It's all a mater of personal preference and what feels right to you.

Make sure when you buy a traditional thimble, be it goat leather or metal, that it fits properly. It should be snug enough to not fall off your finger but not too tight that it hurts.

Under Thimble

The Under Thimble is also primarily used for hand quilting. When I was taught to hand quilt I was told to push the needle through the quilt until it just poked my bottom finger.

I do still think this is a good way to initially learn because it helps to regulate your stitch size. However, now that I've learned the basic principle, the Under Thimble makes hand quilting much quicker, because I'm not so afraid of impaling my poor underfinger.

To use it you simply stick it on your index finger with one of the reusable stickers that come with the package. All of a sudden your under finger is invincible!

Thimble Pad

The thimble pad is something that I use for embroidery. It gives me a better grip when I'm  pulling the thread through my fabric and prevents any irritation that might come from always gripping the needle in the same place. It sticks on and can be used many times. I have also heard it can be very useful in applique.

The thimble pad is a really versatile tool, there's no rules to it, it's just there to help. I was embroidering some napkins recently and I kept pricking myself over and over in the same place. I popped a thimble pad on and the problem was solved!

Sashiko Thimble

The Japanese Sashiko technique also has it's own Sashiko thimble, and it's worn in a very unique place on the base of the middle finger, protecting the top of the palm.

After gathering many stitches on the needle you push the needle through using the top part of your palm (protected, of course by your thimble!) For a more in depth explanation of Sashiko click here.

So... in conclusion

If you're hand sewing and your fingers are being in any way irritated, poked, pricked, or prodded, there is a thimble to help you.  

Many moths ago, we received a shipment of My Folklore from Lecien and I instantly fell in love with "Orange Wildflowers". Since I didn't know what I wanted to make, I bought three yards so that I could have a choice of projects when I finally made a decision.  It sat on a special shelf in my craft room until last weekend.   My decision was made when Mari told me it was going to be warm and humid in Japan (Joelle and I are going to be there next week as guests of 7 Island's Fabrics for the Japan Hobby show!)  Skirts are perfect for me in hot humid weather but, I'm shorter than average so they are often too long for me. I searched through our skirt patterns here at purlsoho.com and was convinced that Indygo Junction's "It's a Wrap"  was going to be the answer to my style/weather conundrum. 

This skirt was quick, simple and super fast to make.  I laid out the fabric at 4:30 pm and had the skirt on to cook dinner by 6:30, (even after sewing through my finger while working on projects for my upcoming wedding, ouch)!  You will need three yards of fabric, coordinating thread and of course the pattern!  Enjoy!! --Jen

Even since we got the Inazuma Antique Gold handles in the store I have been wanting to make a coin purse. There there was just one (big) problem.... the instructions were in Japanese! Usually I pride myself in being able to figure things out from pictures but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't make heads or tails of the simple pattern included with the handles. Luckily for me the very talented Mari was willing to help me out. She and her mom translated the pattern and answered my clueless questions.

Once I knew what the pattern was saying the construction of the purse was fun and easy. I can't think of a better quick gift than this fully lined, darling little pouch. I have a feeling I will be making many more! If you'd like to make one (and you don't read Japanese) you can follow along with my Cute Japanese Coin Purse Journal.

I love the simple graphic design of a traditional "Trip Around the World" quilt. I have a thing for concentric shapes, plus it's just a bunch of squares so it's realtively easy to put together. I also love the Mary Flanagan wool felt that we carry. It comes in the best, most vibrant colors. Since it's felted you don't have to hem it, it won't unravel. This makes it ideal for applique and handsewing.

I have long had a desire to sew an entire blanket out of the wool felt. One day we got in a large shipment and I couldn't resist any longer. I picked 25 pieces in eight beautiful colors, practically cleaning out the shelf, and went to work.

This project is entirely hand sewn. It's not difficult but, it does take a while. It's the sort of long term project that you can pick up from time to time, and when you're done you have the most beautiful, drapey, lovely, handmade object. I really love this project and I never get tired of looking at it. If you'd like to take your own "Trip Around the Wool", visit my Project Journal. --Molly

Our very first line of fabric, Cake Rock Beach, has arrived!  We first told you about our collection in October 2007, so we're very happy to finally make it available to you!  Above is the "Earth" palette. Cake Rock Beach also has four other palettes, Leaf, Water, Fire and Coral which you can see below.

Leaf

Water

Fire

Coral

Joelle's Framed Botanical Pillows 

In celebration of its arrival Joelle created her very first Cake Rock Beach project, Framed Botanical Pillows.  Visit Joelle's Framed Botanical Pillows Project Journal to make your own.