A comfortable, easy-to-use thimble

[ccga3359]

This type of thimble is an excellent idea.. reminds me of a sailor's palm (piece of leather covering the palm to protect it from the needles used to work rope).

I'm wondering why kilt makers don't use a palm.

[ardchoille]

I'm wondering why kilt makers don't use a palm.

Well, sailors who work with rope are usually working with mooring line - very thick rope - which requires needles that are 4 inches long or longer. It takes a lot of force to push these huge needles through 2 inches of rope thickness. Kilt makers, on the other hand, probably don't deal with anything larger than a standard sewing needle, so a sailor's palm would be severe overkill.

[ccga3359]

Well, sailors who work with rope are usually working with mooring line - very thick rope - which requires needles that are 4 inches long or longer. It takes a lot of force to push these huge needles through 2 inches of rope thickness. Kilt makers, on the other hand, probably don't deal with anything larger than a standard sewing needle, so a sailor's palm would be severe overkill.

That is a roper's palm it has extra leather around the thumb for when reefing on line, the thimble also has bigger dimples for the larger needles. A sailmaker palm is for when using on sailcloth (heavy canvas).

[Wompet]

A palm would affect your grip while holding and pleating the fabric.
A thimble has less effect.


Then there's goofballs like me, who handsew a kilt without using a thimble.

[ardchoille]

A palm would affect your grip while holding and pleating the fabric.
A thimble has less effect.

Another very good point.

Then there's goofballs like me, who handsew a kilt without using a thimble.

Painfully, I'm guilty of this too.