What is a cup worn for protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing called?
A thimble is a small hard pitted cup worn for protection on the finger that pushes the needle in sewing. Usually, thimbles with a closed top are used by dressmakers but special thimbles with an opening at the end are used by tailors as this allows them to manipulate the cloth more easily. Finger guards differ from tailors' thimbles in that they often have a top but are open on one side.
Some finger guards are little more than a finger shield attached to a ring to maintain the guard in place. The Old English word þȳmel, the ancestor of thimble, is derived from Old English þūma, the ancestor of the English word ‘thumb’.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
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28 Comments
Patsy Burchell
I collect thimbles,i have over £600 worth and some of them came from china houses and you can't buy them in the shop's,other's were given by friends who went on holiday,it's an interesting hobby as you learn their history.
Jacqueline Tattam
Vince Savage, actually Vince, many fathers sew as well
hector tubens
Knew this having sewn a few of my children's clothes when they had slight rips or tears.
Jennifer Dyster
My grandmother was a dressmaker and embroiderer and used thimbles
dick aspel
State the bleeding obvious, sigh.
Joseph A. Robitaille
One of my daughters who like to sew use to collect thimbles.
Player
Thimbles are a popular object to collect.
brainyack13
They are called "kisses"! 😘
Charli Robinson
Patsy Burchell, my daughter and I have my mom's collection.
Chrissie
Marcella Kosse, try using it on a non-dominant finger.
Shirley Dutt
I collect thimbles. I have several from all over the world. It's been fun doing this.
jack patti go
Got it!
Karen Hollis
I live in Thimble Cottage...and often use a thimble when sewing🙂
Brenda Hanneman Wallace
Marcella Kosse, Me too ! Many times I have picked my finger , much to my dismay . I wish I could feel comfortable using a thimble !
Richard G Schwartz
My grand mother used a thimble.
docluci
Thanks for the easy question; I never use a thimble but my grandmother did and she was a superb seamstress and loved to embroider
Kathleen Bishop
All this griping about easy questions - Let it go!!!!!
Marcella Kosse
I always found it awkward, and ended up just using my fingers without the help of the thimble.
Char
Got it
Janice Lea Vanlandingham
Darlene Davidson, Thank you thats a fact.