Thimbles and Beeswax

Talking about needles and pins brings up the subject using a thimble. Not much you can say here. Some people hate thimbles—I can’t sew without one! There are many kinds—leather thimbles, open-ended thimbles, stick-on thimbles, tailors thimbles, and so forth. Using a thimble will save your fingers. Plus it's easier to push the needle through thick fabrics or leather. Once you get used to sewing with one, you won't be able to sew without it. 

Find one that fits your sewing style and use it. It will save your fingers. And your sewing will go that much faster!

Thimble and BeeswaxAmong your hand sewing needles and pins, be sure to include beeswax, a thimble, and a needle emery. The emery is used to sharpen and clean your needles.

Use Beeswax Properly

Beeswax is used to smooth and strengthen thread. Don’t just run your thread through it and sew! It will come out goopy and leave little waxy bits on your fabric.  Run your thread through the bee’s wax cake and then sandwich it between two sheets of paper. Printer paper works fine and is cheap. THEN press it with your iron—the wax will melt into the thread. It will slide through the fabric like greased lightning and won’t leave any white marks on the fabric!

Return from Thimbles and Beeswax to Needles & Pins -->
Return to Home Page -->


Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.