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The Lonely Thimble: Explained
A thimble is a cover that fits on the finger to shield it when pushing a needle during darning or sewing. The word, comes from Old English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a long past. The oldest existing thimble is Latin, found in the destroyed city of Pompeii. It is made of bronze. However, the Etruscans, who pre-date the Romans, are known to have made other metal thimbles. Rough thimbles of bone and leather most probably also existed because thimbles have been used by every known civilization. These thimbles didn't survive.
Through the years, thimbles have evolved in many of ways. Both the the means of production and the materials used have changed. Thimbles have gained new uses and become primarily decorative and collectible rather than merely practical. Ancient 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 material so a strong, thick bronze or iron thimble, called a "skep", was required to prevent injury.
By the fifteenth century, fabric became more finely woven and needlework became more refined. Thimbles became thinner and lighter. These thimbles were generally made of brass and imported from Germany, a brass-making center. Simultaneously, unique methods of making thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were first made from sheet metal. The new thimbles also contained decorative motifs. The cap was sometimes separate and attached to the cylinder later. These new thimbles were taller and the top was flatter.
During the 16th and 17th centuries Holland became the new seat of thimble manufacturing. However, in the late seventeenth century, John Lofting moved thimble manufacturing to Islington, England where the brass-working industry was by now established. He began to manufacture thimbles in a scale unheard of before. Next, he moved his factory to Great Marlow, and used water power to and doubled production.
By the early eighteenth century, he was producing about two million thimbles annually. But he too succumbed to progress and thimble producing moved to Birmingham, England by 18 hundred. The composition 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 brought down the cost.
We are all aware that sewing is the fundamental 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 19th 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 primarily decorative, collectorscuriosity in modern thimbles has not waned. 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 memorial thimbles to tourists.
Thimble collecting is an remarkably well-known hobby worldwide. Many thimbles are fairly 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 value. The humble 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 sound tools ever invented, born of necessity.
The Lonely Thimble: Explained
This article explores the evolution of thimbles beginning with the Etruscans and proceeding to modern times. It discusses the changes to thimble materials and manufacturing processes. It describes the origins of thimbles as a manufactured collectible and the state of thimble collecting today.
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A Novices Guide To Acquiring Antique Sewing Thimbles
An article about the whimsical history of thimbles and some practical ideas on how to collect, preserve and use antique thimbles. This article delves into the world of the thimbles and the characters that have made them unique the collectors that love to collect and share the thimbles interesting history.
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