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The Thimble 101
A thimble is a cover that fits on the finger to protect it when pushing a needle during quilting or sewing. The word, derived from Middle English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a an extended recorded history. The oldest existing thimble is Latin, found in the city ruins of Pompeii. It is bronze. But, the Etruscans, who came before the Romans, are known to have made bronze thimbles. Primitive thimbles of leather and bone possibly also existed because thimbles have been used by every known civilization. These thimbles didn't survive the centuries.
Through the years, thimbles have changed in a number of ways. Both the materials used and the means of production have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become fundamentally decorative and collectible rather than merely practical. Pioneer thimbles had to be sturdy because homespun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and crude. It was difficult to push the thread through the cloth so a strong, thick bronze or iron thimble, called a "skep", was required to prevent injury.
By the 15th century, fabric became more finely woven and sewing became more refined. Thimbles became thinner. These thimbles were by and large made of copper alloy and imported from Germany, a brass-making center. Simultaneously, innovative methods of manufacturing thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained fancy motifs. The cap was separate and attached to the cylinder later. The new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries Holland became the new seat of thimble manufacturing. However, in the late seventeenth century, John Lofting moved thimble production to Islington, England where the brass-making industry was already established. He began to assemble thimbles in a scale unknown before. Then, he moved his assembly plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to and doubled production.
By the early eighteenth century, he was producing 2 million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to change and thimble making moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The fabrication of brass also modernized during this period. A new formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing method called "deep drawing" that used less metal. This dropped the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the primary use of the thimble. But did you know that a a little larger thimble, usually two ounces, was used to measure spirits? And did you know that nineteenth century prostitutes used them to tap on their clients windows and Victorian schoolmistresses used them to knock recalcitrant students on the head?
Although they have become largely decorative, collectors interest in modern thimbles has not decreased. Thimbles originally created in silver are being reproduced in pewter thanks to new processes, developed in the 1950s that allow more elaborate design. New series of thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers memento thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an very cherished hobby worldwide. A great number of thimbles are wisely priced and readily available. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative importance. The unpretentious thimble has become a star. Some admire its humble origins and some its new found incarnations. It is still one of the most versatile and down-to-earth tools ever invented, born of necessity.
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