The word thimble that concerns us now we have to establish that it has its etymological origin in Latin. And it is the result of the sum of two elements:
-The noun “digitus”, which is synonymous with “finger”.
-The suffix “-al”, which is used to indicate “relative to”.
A thimble is a small, hollow piece used to protect the finger during sewing .
When a person sews, they are responsible for joining different fragments of fabric or other material using a thread that is threaded into a needle . Since the needle is pointed, the sewing kit or seamstress can be pricked. However, if you protect yourself with a thimble, you can safely manipulate the needle.
Thimbles are usually cups made of metal or other rigid material, which have small notches and an opening to insert a finger. The finger protected by the thimble is used to press the needle during the sewing process.
Thimbles were already used in Ancient Egypt , according to what can be seen from findings in various tombs. Back then it was leather thimbles. Antique ivory, bronze and bone thimbles were also found in various countries .
Regarding its history, we can establish that Islamic thimbles have already been documented in the Iberian Peninsula since the caliphal period. Specifically, where the greatest number of these sewing objects have been found and documented is in the sites of Al-Andalus.
Precisely in the Alhambra Museum you can admire a large number of thimbles rescued from that time and they are basically of two types:
-Saddlery, saddlery and saddlery thimbles. They were the ones that were used to make belts, chairs, espadrilles, harnesses for horses, esparto objects... Precisely because of the tasks in which they were used, they stand out for being longer and also for being made with very resistant materials and great hardness.
-Tailoring and sewing thimbles, which, as their name indicates, are those used to make clothing. Compared to the previous ones, they are characterized by being shorter, thinner and more rounded.
Of course, all these thimbles have the particularity that they are made up of three different parts from top to bottom: the apex, the belly and the base.
There are also artistic thimbles that, made with ceramics, have drawings or impressions. Many times these thimbles feature an image and inscription of a city and are sold as souvenirs .
The diversity and richness of thimbles make them collectible objects. There are people who look for, keep and exchange these products as a hobby .
Child's thimbles o foxglove, por último, son nombres comunes de la plant cuya denominación científica es Digitalis thapsi.