| The Thimble has a long history since its inception, | | | | However thimbles are still being used in quilting, French |
| having been a tool for craftsmen and a source of | | | | hand sewing and other types of decorative needle |
| inspiration for the collector. The most ancient thimble | | | | work. As the thimble has become largely decorative, |
| that exists to date is Roman, apparently found in the | | | | the collectors' interest in modern thimbles has not |
| ruins of Pompeii and made of Bronze. Some collectors | | | | waned and if anything has increased. |
| have found that some primitive thimbles were also | | | | The advancement in the science and new processes |
| made of bone, horn, ivory and leather and were found | | | | to make more suitable metals allow more detailed |
| everywhere in the world. | | | | designs for the thimbles. New designs of thimbles are |
| During the fifteenth century, the humble thimble found | | | | being issued to commemorate different events and |
| another dimension for its use, rather than simply being | | | | characters like Christmas, football teams and Disney |
| a tool of the craftsmen, when the Elizabeth-I gave a | | | | characters. |
| thimble which was encrusted with precious stone to | | | | Thimble collection has become a popular hobby around |
| one of her ladies-in-waiting. Since then, the thimbles | | | | the world. There are many reasons for its popularity |
| have evolved in a number of ways and they have | | | | but the most important among them are their |
| gained new uses, becoming primarily both decorative | | | | reasonable prices and easy availability. There are two |
| and collectible, rather than simply practical. | | | | distinct classes of thimble collectors; one who are |
| Through the years, craftsmen who sew have come | | | | interested in their historic value and the others for their |
| to recognise that thimbles can be quite useful objects | | | | decorative value. Collectors' clubs have sprung up |
| to ease the difficulty of their work and during this | | | | locally & nationally. The internet now connects |
| period collectors have also learned that they are quite | | | | collectors all over the world and collectors' societies |
| sought after collectors’ items. | | | | have their own web pages. Collecting has also |
| Due to the mechanisation of the most of sewing | | | | spawned a booming cottage industry in display racks, |
| works, the practical use of thimbles has declined. | | | | cabinets and domes. |