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I have a “thing” for thimbles, especially old, silver ones with intricately carved designs. And for thimble cases, and all the beautiful little “accessories” you use to quilt. I think I make more beautiful stitches when I use beautiful tools. I certainly feel happier when I use them and look at them. And if you are going to spend hundreds of hours hand quilting, why not use a lovely object to do it?
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My mother gave me the antique thimble in the photo above, which was her grandmother’s, I think. See the wonderful silversmith’s markings just above the bottom rim? And those wonderful swirls like the stars in Vincent VanGogh’s painting? I adore it, but it is a little small for my finger, and it has a slightly domed top, which is not ideal for hand quilting.
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I spurged a few years ago and purchased the silver thimble in the photo above. It is made by by T.J. Lane, a silversmith who works with her daughter and son-in-law (who are based in western North Carolina). The thimbles are made entirely in the United States, a rarity these days. Even though it was expensive (I think I paid about $60, and prices have gone up since), I have not for one minute regretted the decision to purchase it.
I adore this thimble. It fits perfectly, it is beautiful, and the flat top with the little rim holds the needle and pushes it in and out smoothly with every stitch I quilt. It looks old, and interesting, and it is hand made. (I am increasingly interested in purchasing hand-made items of quality, and not machine-made, mass-produced items that are often of inferior quality.) When I am not using it, it is still a thing of beauty.
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A little while after I purchased my thimble, I bought this pretty silver thimble case to wear around my neck when I am quilting. This way, if the phone rings and I have to get up and leave my project, I can stick the thimble in the case and take it with me, so the cats don’t decide to play with it.
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Here is Max, reclining in his bed (my younger daughter’s doll bed, purchased from a Tennessee artisan by my mother). He thinks it was made just for him.