Machine needles

[ANNE E.]

Hi there,
How do you keep your slightly used needles in order?
I try to remember to put them into a needle case I made, each layer has the name of the needle and the size. Sounds very organised doesn't it but sometimes I forget to put the needle away and then I have to get the magnifying glass out to try and see what size the needle is.
Why do needles have to have the size on the curved part of the needle? why not the flat part ????
Maybe the manufacturers could also put what kind of needle it is
eg; Topstitch--Embroidery etc; I know that Schmetz colour code some needles but that wears off, and sometimes in is difficult to see if the colour is green or blue.
Any ideas please
Look forward to hearing TQS friends comments
Have a peaceful week
Anne

[Caroline A.]

Anne,
I saw this hint and have been using it. Get a pincushion and mark the sections for each needle size then put the used needles in the correct section. Since I have more than one machine, I use more than one pincushin.
Fi

[Margo C.]

Anne, here is my pincushion used like Fi describes:

[Caroline A.]

Thanks, Margo for posting the example. We're traveling with our RV two states away from home right now, thus no pincushion with me, but I do have my small machine and a few quilt projects with me. And lots of quilt shops along the way to visit! This is our regular summer trip north to avoid the valley heat. Fi

[ANNE E.]

Thanks Margo and Fi,
It's a great idea but it still doesn't solve the problem of being able to read what size needle, should you forget, what you have put in the machine.
The manufacturers do a great job making needles for all purposes but sometimes I need to be able to see the size written on the needle.
Call it old age and senior moments or just plain stupid, I may remember what size but what sort of needle?
Ah well I'll just have to sew and do my best.
Thanks for your input
Anne

[Norma H.]

Maybe you could benefit from my idea. I made small quilts for two of my friends and for my own machines to trace what I have in the machine and to keep used needles.
Look at this link to see more
/
It works very well for me

[Margo C.]

Norma, that is BRILLIANT!!

Anne, until you can make one of Norma's charts, you might want to try my low-tech method. Every time I put a needle in the machine, I write the size on a piece of blue painter's tape and stick it to the top of my sewing machine. If you add the type of needle, the tape can then be stuck on the end of the needle before it's put into the tomato pin cushion if you need to keep track of more than just the size!

[Jules M.]

Maybe you could benefit from my idea. I made small quilts for two of my friends and for my own machines to trace what I have in the machine and to keep used needles.
Look at this link to see more
/
It works very well for me

This is brilliant and so cute! I would love to make one of these. It is now on the list.

[ANNE E.]

Great idea, as soon as I have finished re-aranging the dust in my house I will be in my sewing room making one of these,
thanks Norma
Anne

[Norma H.]

Anne, please post pictures of it. I'd love to see yours.
Margo, low tech works very well, too, especially when you remember to write down the needle type. I had that system for years, but I wanted to challenge myself with the embroidery machine, so I designed the needle quilt.