thimble

A thimble is a small metal or plastic cover for your finger. It protects your skin from pins and needles when you sew.

When sewing by hand, people use a thimble to keep their fingers safe. They place it on the finger that presses down on the needle or thread, so if the needle slips, the thimble will take the hit instead of your skin. Thimbles are usually made of metal or plastic and come in different shapes and sizes to fit comfortably around your fingers. Some people like to use thimbles even when they're sewing with a machine, just to be extra careful.