Barb, your original post made me think of an article that I saw in Threads a couple of years ago. Fortunately, they have the article on their website:

http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/t00077.asp


I personally use a plastic open-sided thimble designed for people with long nails - not that my nails are long or anything, but I found it the most comfortable thimble for me.

Here's a link for more online thimbles:
http://www.agreatnotion.com/catalogue/index1.html