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There are thimble
collectors worldwide. Thimbles have been utilized in just about every known
civilization. Thimbles have

been fashioned from a wide
variety of materials; stone, bone, ivory, leather, porcelain, and most every
variation of metals

and metal alloys.style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  It is these variations that captivate
collectors who search out these elusive thimbles anywhere they can.

Thimbles can be found online at
auctions and internet sites; perhaps a local garage sale, flea market, or estate
sale might 

unveil a thimbleful of delight
for a collector. Travelers often find commemorative thimbles in gift shops
worldwide.  Thimbles

are small and therefore easy to
fit into your luggage.

Practical uses of the thimble
changed dramatically with the advent of the sewing machine.style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  The first American patent for the

sewing machine was issued to
Elias Howe in 1846 but his machine proved to be too costly to be within economic
reach of

the consumer.style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">  In 1850 Isaac Singer built the first
commercial version of the sewing machine. 
Thimbles are still utilized by those

 that do hand needlework and
quilting, some even having thimbles custom designed and fitted specifically for
their use.

Thimble collectors are very
passionate about their hobby.  If
you have been hiding your passion for thimbles and would like

 to find others interested
in this hobby you might want to start your search for information with the
Thimble Collectors

 International (href=\"http://www.thimblecollectors.com/\">http://www.thimblecollectors.com).

About the author: Connie Lyn is a
freelance author. For more information on thimbles check out href=\"http://www.jvoo.com/thimbles\">http://www.jvoo.com/thimbles. style=\"mso-spacerun: yes\">