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The Thimble 101
A thimble is a cap that fits over the finger to protect it when pushing a needle during quilting or sewing. The word, comes from Old English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a an extended history. The oldest existing thimble is Italian, found in the ruins of Pompeii. It is bronze. However, the Etruscans, who came before the Romans, are known to have made other metal thimbles. Crude thimbles of leather and bone almost certainly also existed because thimbles have been used by every known culture. These thimbles did not survive the centuries.
Through the years, thimbles have changed in many 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. Early thimbles had to be sturdy because homespun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and imperfect. It was difficult to push the thread through the fabric 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 and lighter. These thimbles were commonly made of copper alloy and imported from Nuremberg, a brass-making center. Simultaneously, creative methods of producing thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained fancy motifs. The cap was sometimes separate and attached to the cylinder later. These new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth century Holland became the new seat of thimble production. However, in the late 17th century, John Lofting moved thimble production to Islington, England where the brass-making industry was now established. He began to manufacture thimbles in a scale unknown before. Later, he moved his assembly plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to double production.
By the early 18th century, he was producing two million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to change and thimble producing moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The fabrication of brass also improved during this period. A new formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing procedure called "deep drawing" that used less metal. This lowered the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the prime use of the thimble. But did you know that a slightly 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 in great measure decorative, collectorscuriosity 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 detailed design. New series of thimbles are being issued to commemorate everything from football teams to Disney characters. Every tourist destination offers keepsake thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an extremely cherished hobby worldwide. Many thimbles are inexpensively priced and easily attainable. Men, women and children collect them. Some collectors are interested in the history of thimbles while others collect them for their decorative importance. The lowly 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 effective tools ever invented, born of necessity.
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