What type of needle have I got in my machine? Well frankly I can’t remember. I certainly can’t read the tiny engraved code on the needle.
Where are my spare needles? They’re in a tin , a gorgeous Kaffe Fassett tin, that I bought many years ago in Bath, when Kaffe ran a shop there. Inside the tin, is a jumble of needle cases to sort through every time. Surely there must be a better way?
Yes there is! Make a fabric case, with little plastic pockets, to neatly store needle cases. Brilliant idea – I’ll be able to see at a glance what needles I have, no more rummaging. So yesterday I made myself a storage case, and I’m super pleased with the results.
To make your own case you’ll need:
Two rectangles of quilting cotton, and wadding to go in the middle of the sandwich.
Bias binding tape long enough to go around the perimeter (I like making my own).
Some clear PVC plastic for making the clear pockets – you’ll have something at home that you can upcycle, the sort of thing that bedding is often sold in.
To sew, I used my trusty Bernina 440QE. I recently purchased a ‘Jeans’ presser foot #8, and this seemed the ideal project to try it out. The foot enables you to stitch easily through various layers. Very pleased with the results, as it stitched effortlessly through the layers of binding. If only the straight stitch plate I’d also ordered had arrived, I might have got even better quality stitching.
Old worn needles need chucking out safely after each project. I’ve read that a needle is good for 7 hours stitching. Some needles, are hardly worn, so now I have a place to return them, and a system to know what type it is. Never put a needle or pin in your mouth. That’s a topic for another blog, but the friend who swallowed a needle is thankfully alive to tell the tale, following surgery!
needles and spins 