Tool School: Flexible Rubber Thimbles
The Flexible Rubber Thimbles are the newest design in thimbles that enables precision stitching at a new level!
What is it?
If there was such a thing as a machine that could transport us back in time to review our history we’d no doubt see that one of the first sewing tools developed by our sewing ancestors was the hand sewing needle.
Granted it was a very crude artifact compared to the precision needles we use today but there was a common theme from one to the other.
Whether we’re working with hides in a cave or fine fabrics in an upscale fabric boutique or using ancient needles made of bone or modern application specific needles made of high carbon steel, placing our stitch precisely and being able to pull or push it through our fabric is key to achieving our creative intent.
Other ancient sewing artifacts would also include “pressing stones”, the progenitor of our modern thimbles. Over the years these crude pressing stones also evolved into the modern, task specific or technique specific thimbles we have today.
These thimbles have applications to embroidery, appliqué, quilting, tailoring, decorative top stitching, beading or any other sewing genre that employs thread for construction or decoration. So what is the next evolutionary step for today’s modern thimbles.
What takes us beyond the stiff “finger shield” that we’ve used successfully for so many years. We’d suggest that the newest design in thimbles that enables precision stitching at a new level is Flexible Rubber Thimble.
Flexible Thimble Set
Art. No 9615
Flexible Rubber Thimbles (Medium & Large)
Art. No 6031 & 6032
What does it do?
A conventional thimble has dimples or even edges on its end to keep the needle in place as it is pushed through the fabric. The Flexible Rubber Thimble fits on the forefinger or the thumb or both. The frictional grip of this smooth, flexible thimble functions to hold the needle securely in place between our fingers while the tip of the needle is placed precisely into the fabric just where we want it and then, grasping the “pointy” end as it protrudes from the fabric, allows us to pull the needle and thread quickly and smoothly through the fabric.
The motion is so natural it’s almost like not using a thimble at all. And did I mention it’s fast? The Flexible Rubber Thimble comes in two sizes, medium and large. A similar product in a smaller size is available for the youthful sewist in the I Sew For Fun program.
Here’s an insider’s tip: The Flexible Rubber Thimble is also a great sewing tool if you need a little extra grip when manipulating fabric as in free motion embroidery or quilting.
The added friction at our finger tips means no slipping between fingers and smooth fabric so our project placement at our sewing station is always precise and just where we want it to be.
How do I Share it?
When it comes to thimbles, the feel, comfort and functionality are paramount. Set out some needles, spools of thread, the amazing Desk Needle Threader and a selection of Flexible Rubber Thimbles along with some fabric. Let your friends thread up a needle with the automatic needle threader and give the thimbles a test run. They’ll want to have it all because it makes it all so natural and easy.
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