A Darning Thimble: Where Are They From
A thimble is a cover that fits on the finger to shield it when pushing a needle when quilting or sewing. The word, derived from Middle English, literally means "thumb shield".
The thimble has a lengthy history. The oldest extant thimble is Italian, found in the destroyed city of Pompeii. It is made of bronze. Still, the Etruscans, who came before the Romans, are known to have made bronze thimbles. Primitive thimbles of leather and bone almost certainly also existed because thimbles have been utilized by every known civilization. These thimbles didn't survive.
Throughout history, 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. Early thimbles had to be sturdy because handspun fabric was coarse and needles were rough and imperfect. 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, material became more finely woven and sewing became more refined. Thimbles became thinner. These thimbles were usually made of metal and imported from Nuremberg, a brass-making center. During this time, innovative methods of making thimbles were introduced. Thimbles were first made from sheet metal. This new style of 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 century Holland became the new center of thimble manufacturing. However, in the late seventeenth century, John Lofting moved thimble manufacturing toEngland where the brass-making industry was currently established. He began to produce thimbles in a scale unprecedented before. Later, he moved his plant to Great Marlow, and used water power to and doubled production.
By the early eighteenth century, he was producing about two million thimbles each year. But he too succumbed to change and thimble making moved to Birmingham, England by 1800. The fabrication of brass also improved during this period. A different formula made it more malleable and suitable for a different manufacturing procedure 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 insignificantly 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 by and large 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 detailed design. New 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 remarkably well-known hobby worldwide. Most 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 significance. The lowly thimble has become a star. Some admire its common 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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