Anybody make extra large thimbles?

[Delmonico]

Was letting out an old pair of pants that had shrunk today and once again ran the eye of the needle into my finger.  None of the thimbles I've ever found in a sewing store will fit my finger, it measures 2 3/4" in circumferance which would mean I'd need a thimble 7/8 to 15/16th" in diameter.

Does anyone know a source for larger ones, the sewing stores tell me what they have is as large as they can get.

[RattlesnakeJack]

As a definite "fat finger" fellow who sews, I'm sure gonna be watching this thread!

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Del,
If you can't find a thimble to fit your finger, I may be able to turn one down on my lathe for you and bring it to the convention next month. All I would need is the circumferrence around the thickest part of the finger you use it on.
I don't like to use a thimble and I normally use a heavy leather wrap made up sorta like a band aid to sew with. It is made of two pieces of heavy elk skin with a very thin piece of brass about the size of a dime bent to the contour of my finger sewn into it and is easier to keep on my finger then a thimble.
You can e-mail me or PM me with the measurement and I'll see what I can come up with. It will probably be made of 6061 aluminum, I don't think I have any brass rod that is a large enough diameter. I can also make it out of steel.

Bill

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Del,
If I had read your post a little more thoroughly I would have seen the size you need listed there, let me know if you would like me to try to make one.

Bill

[Delmonico]

Would love one if you have the time, aluminum would be fine.  I may have to try your other idea, because I never tried the brass inside.  The thin leather I've tried wears out fast.  I was going through about 5-6 layers of pants material yesterday.  Normal sewing isn't a problem because I have an extra tough hide.  Ask any nurse who's ever tried to get an IV in me, they say it's too tough.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Del,
How long is it from the tip of your thimble finger to the first joint?

Bill

[Delmonico]

1 1/8".

[tarheel mac]

Del, (excuse me, just sort of thinking out loud here..) Until Bill gets you your thimble turned, surely there is a fair substitute of some kind? In some of the reenacting groups I have been with in the past, they/we use a small piece of board or very heavy leather, (the name I hear most often is 'sailor's palm")  Or maybe a cut down 12 or 10 ga. shell or something like that?  Heck, even a shot glass...

[Delmonico]

Normal sewing isn't a problem, my skin is that tough.  It's when I go through several layers of heavy material.  But the shotgun shell, never thought of that.  The fring pin mark would keep it from slipping.  I've got several size 42 pants that need let out before the spring cooking season, been buying 44's for the ones for work.  Sad thing is I have not gained any weight, just diameter from to many surgeries.

[Four-Eyed Buck]

Del, are you saying you're well rounded?........

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Del,
I'll have you one at the convention....

Bill

[Delmonico]

Thank You very much.

[Delmonico]

Tar Heel, thanks for the idea, a 10 gauge is just right. So I have a 10 gauge finger I guess.  Inside measurement of the Federal one I used was 0.790.  I removed the primer, then took a 6mm boat tail bullet and drove the base in with a mallet and dowel.  I cut it off and flattened the bullet with a punch, down below a bit.  The lead of the core will catch the needle.

That will work till Bill gets the other one made, since I'm sewing on some pants, them eyes of the neele sting a bit, more coming out than going in.

[Silver Creek Slim]

Del,
Ya sure have big fingers.   

Slim

[tarheel mac]

Glad I was able to help Del...

[Delmonico]

BTW my thumb won't go into an 8 gauge.   I wear a size 11 glove.

[Ottawa Creek Bill]

Del,
Went into town this morning and mailed your thimble priority mail. You should get it in a couple of days. Hope it fits, I know my sewing finger measures 2.5 inches in diameter and it was big on me. If it doesn't work for you, let me know and I'll rig up one of the contraptions I use when sewing, I like it a lot more then the thimble. Oh, I tried the thimble out and it works pretty good.

Bill

[Delmonico]

Thank You very much.  Silver Creek Slim said we were both there at the same time but missed each other.

[Delmonico]

I got it today and it fits on my index finger very snuggly, the middle finger is just to big.  Since I only use one when I sew very heavy stuff that is still better than anything I could find before. 

[Lone Gunman]

So I have a 10 gauge finger I guess.

Del, we're just all glad you didn't become a doctor that specializes in those prostate exams.