Medieval Thimble (or Thymel) on Fettered Cock Pewters
This interesting little number is a Medieval Tailor’s Thimble. It’s a ring-type, meant for sewing heavier materials. I put mine on my index finger and it stops on the second joint. The location and depth of the little indentations makes it perfect, and in my opinion, better than its modern counterparts. The modern ones tend to have shallower indentations that let the needle slip out to jab you with its still sharp butt end. It is a reproduction, but my only complaint is that the bottom flange that sticks up from the surface makes the thimble a little annoying to wear as a ring, which is a great place to put it so you don’t misplace it. It’s also a tad tight for my pinkie finger as a ring.
The thimble can be purchased at Westair Museum Reproductions (I believe it was originally made for them), Fettered Cock Pewters, on eBay and at several other sites for about $8 USD. Other sites, including Etsy, have similar thimbles for sale at different price points.
June 6, 2014 at 1:30 am
I find it interesting how devisive thimbles can be, some people can’t even do embroidery without one because thats the way they were taught, and then there are people like me who can’t get on with them at all – but then I don’t really do what you’d call heavy sewing
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June 9, 2014 at 10:21 am
You never know when a thimble may come in handy. Sometimes you really need one and stopping to pick up a coin or something to push that stubborn needle through is clumsy at best. That’s what I used to do. The great thing about this thimble is that you can leave in on and it doesn’t make the tip of your finger useless for holding a needle since it only covers a 1/2″ area.
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