I realize this is an older thread, but wanted to update a bit about TJ Lane, at least my experience.

I bought piecemeal over about 18 months a fully equipped chatelaine. I do a lot of handstitching and my sewing "bling" has been a real joy. However, the purchases often felt like pulling teeth. Things were repeatedly sent to the wrong address, or to the right but incomplete address, resulting in numerous delays. Emails directly or via the website were ignored for days if not weeks, and I never did have a phone call returned. At the time, it was I believe TJ's daughter (in another state) running the business and she had also another full-time job. I understood this but was still very frustrated with the poor response. Later last year, my silver needlethreader broke (that little wire didn't like the pull of a #10 between's tiny eye) and I contacted them via the website as to my repair options. I was told promptly that I could send to TJ for a free repair, and I did so, enclosing a letter that detailed my unhappy experiences with them to date. To my satisfaction, Tommy responded herself, returning my repaired threader with a two-page, handwritten note apologizing warmly for the problems and advising that she was handling these matters personally now. I have not had the need to test with further transactions, but hope that now the business end is being handled locally, instead of several states' distance away by family, that matters have improved.

Just wanted to let you know. Truly the beauty of workmanship of Tommy's silver sewing goodies really makes my work more pleasurable.

Oh I have plenty of thimbles Rosemary and play that regularly, I just haven't found THE thimble yet.

What are we like, honestly.

Amoret

I can't believe that you are worrying about owning more than one thimble
I have at least 6, no make that 7, 3 ring/tailors thimbles and the rest ordinary ones;1 is an old silver one and 2 of these are a match pair, including the remains of nail polish inside them from when I wore them to work at the RSN (37 hrs/week), the nail polish was to stop them rusting and leaving a rust ring mark on my middle fingers of both hands it did look silly going home, that was if I had remembered to take them off

Besides if you have more than 1 thimble you will be able to play 'Hunt the thimble' with yourself

Rosemary

Thimbles are a bit of an obsession of mine, and I've never seen anything interesting at FoQ. Here's hoping for this year!

I wonder if any of the US thimble suppliers will be at the NEC in August - maybe they ought to be thinking of having stockists over here. Cotton Patch do the Roxanne - but I am thinking particularly of the TJLane thimble that Amoret is interested in -

Hi Teri, I have looked on her website today, thanks for the prompt, and I have watched her amazing videos. I did see her on TQS too.

Tthe only thing I have with her thimble is that it looks great just for quilting. I use a thimble for lots including piecing and bead work and I can't see how it would work as efficiently then.

Thank you for the thought though and perhaps I'll try one one day just for the quilting jobs.

I'm going to encourage you to go with the Thimble Lady Thimbles. Seriously, I have one of their cheapy plastic ones that I love and if I were doing more hand quilting I'd purchase one or two of the metal ones.

Teri

Hi Jacky, how's it going with the thimble?

I've re contacted Thimbles2fit who sell the TJ Lane thimbles twice more and their customer service leaves a lot to be desired. It stinks to be honest.

I've always been amazed at the American commitment to their products, Bob at Superior has replaced the strange Masterpiece thread with no worries and Nolting have sent me a new needle bar when the needle retaining screw sheared off, no questions and no charge again. This company however has just lost a couple of sales. Not much in their daily running of things I'm sure but there is no need for ignorance.

Anyone else know who sells the TJ Lane thimbles who can help with the size and have the courtesy to actually treat me as a customer?

Hi Amoret - I've been on a mission today - driven to Cotton Patch (60 miles) and now have a Roxanne thimble in silver - it is quite chunky, but is nice quality - have been test driving it around the house, but haven't sewn with it yet! It is quite difficult to get the fit right - I am almost thinking I might need a half size bigger - as although I had allowed for cooler fingers in the shop, now my hands are warm, it feels a little tight. They did say they would exchange it though - will do some sewing later and report back!

Hi JoJo, have you very long, thin fingers? The Dorcas one's I've seen seem to be for a slender finger.

Mine as far from slender as can be. I'm 50mm around the base of the middle nail and rather oval. The TJ Lane's can be remodelled to suit. They also have the nail cut out too.

I'd be interest to know what you think of the Roxannes Jacky. From the photo on Cotton Patch, they always look a little thick around the rim.

gloucestershirelady wrote:
I have one that has the daisy and the beehive and the latest one that I haven't received yet is the one with a waffle pattern--really a beautiful piece. He said it was mostly likely made between 1905 and 1948. Amazingly these thimbles really last because they have a steel core.

His name is William Legge and his email is mailto:williamlegge@aol.com -- please let him know that I told you about him. He is extremely nice and helpful. I have two thimbles from him and the third is on the way. (I've grown to love these thimbles and am on the lookout for the various patterns.) I've never been able find a thimble that is comfortable until I found this type.

JoJo

Thanks for that link - I'll have a look at that - Jacky

Roxanne products are now handled through the Colonial Needle Company in White Plains, NY
http://www.colonialneedle.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?search=yes&keywords=Roxanne&template=database_list_roxanne

Colonial Needle bought out the entire product line some time ago and has been in process of re-designing labels.

They have a thimble sizer available for purchase with directions how to use it to get the right size.

I don't know how they handle international orders.

Teri

Jo Jo, was the Dorcas thimble a traditional one? You don't have any contact details do you? (By the way, my daughter is a Jo Jo, as well!)