Storing sewing machine needles
 

How do you store all those little plastic packages of sewing machine needles? I am tired of rummaging through the drawer to find the size & kind that I need. I thought somewhere I had seen a case for this very thing but can't find it anymore.

Thanks in advance for all your great ideas.
Chris

I use a small photo album and put the different sizes in different pockets

Neat idea. Thanks for sharing!
Penny

That is a wonderful idea Threadedsister. I too am tired of rummaging through my box of needle packages.

Two other options for needle storage could be the old business card holders (perfect size) or the plastic storage boxes used for fishing lures.

I have wanted to get my needles organized too. I read to use the 3 ring binder plastic page that holds business cards. The binder could sit on a shelf close by and needles are arranged according to type and size. Gonna try it!

Great idea, thanks!!!!!

I use 2 coffee cups one holds universal needles and the other one holds quilting needles.

Oversized weekly pill containers are perfect size to hold needles of various types you can label each day with size

I have a plastic box with dividers.
Each different size/type has it's own little compartment.

Y'all must have a lot of needles! A few old peppermint tins would hold all mine. And because I have nothing better to do, I could decorate them. ;)

I use the Gerber Baby food plastic containers. They not only fit the needles but I can write the needle size on the cover. At a quick glance I can tell which size I am getting low on.

I have a plastic box with dividers that I got at Harbor Freight. It was very inexpensive. They carry many different size plastic boxes. Much more reasonable than the plastic boxes at fabric stores.

This is what I do as well...also works for machine feet!

They have boxes in pait/hardware depart at WM and also in fishing tackle, have feet and needles each in one. With top keeps dust down in them too.

Quite a while back I purchased Q-tips in a divided plastic box. Now it holds my extra sewing needles all together but divided by size and type.

I have a small plastic box in one of the drawers of my sewing machine cabinet. Like sized packages are rubber banded together. I have one open package of each of the sizes in one corner. I keep the current package of the needle in the machine, to the right of my machine, then I know at a glance what size needle I've got in there.

I store all my machine needles in a tin box.

I bought (at JoAnns) what looks like a very large pill holder...the kind with several compartments in a row that are for each day of the week. Just look for it in their storage container department. I LOVE it. Be sure each "door" to each section is wide enough for one of the cards of needles. I can actually fit three cards into each section. I have each type of needle in a different section (universal, top stitch etc.). Also, when I put a needle into my machine, I use one of those tiny pony tail holders around the container to remind me what type of needle is in the machine. Since I have two machines, I use two different colors of pony tail bands...Pink for my Pfaff...and Blue for my Brother! It has saved me a lot of confusion trying to remember what needle is in what machine. The container also fits in the side pocket of my wheeled cart that I take to my LQS when I take classes or go to worker bees, wouldn't be without it!

I do the same as QuiltE. All my needles are in little plastic cases and those cases are stacking like order in the plastic container with dividers. You can buy them at JoAnns and many other places.

I use a plastic ice cube tray to hold the various sizes of needles in a drawer. Works for me.

This was made for me on the Secret Pal swap by sewdamncute. There are actually 4 'pages'. Since this was taken, I've labelled all the compartments.
I love the fact that I can organise part-used needle and also know exactly what needle I've got in my machine by putting a coloured a pin in the correct section!
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You'll just have to make yourself one of the lovely ones you made me! ;)

i made my own. took a piece of cream color fabric.any size you want to make.cut clear heavy plastic in strips and sew on the fabric place a couple of needle packs to see how to fit then sew little pockets for your needles and hang on wall in front of machine...:)

I use a hanging jewelry organizer. It has many small, clear see-through pockets on both sides.....perfect for holding sewing machine needle packets!

I store mine in a similar way - a recipe box with dividers indicating size/type.

I use a plastic box with hinged lid that came filled with jelly beans. Perfect for all the needle packages and it was free.
It is clear and fits in my drawer with my sewing machine.
Lu in TN

I meant to say it fits in the drawer of my sewing machine cabinet.

I have a couple plastic boxes with dividers and permanently attached lids. They are maybe 12 inches by 8 inches or so. The spaces are small, a bit wider than a needle 5-pack and deep enough for standing up maybe 10 packages. There is enough room to get my fingers in there. I keep needles sorted by size and type. I keep the boxes in the sewing table drawer, and this works very well. Check Walmart or a hobby store.

I have a couple plastic boxes with dividers and permanently attached lids. The spaces are small, a bit wider than a needle 5-pack and deep enough for standing up maybe 10 packages. There is enough room to get my fingers in there. I keep needles sorted by size and type. I keep the boxes in the sewing table drawer, and this works very well. Check Walmart or a hobby store.

Oh that is waaayy to organized for me, LOL!

Zip lock bags with the size written on the bag. Inexpensive, safe, able to be ID'd quickly. Instead of just throwing them in a drawer find a small box and keep the bags in this.

I purchased a small round plastic container from Walmart that is made for storing sewing needles. It has 3 sections and the top has a hole in it to retrieve the needle. You just turn the top to the desired size and pour the needle out. Like a toothpick holder.

I use pill reminder boxes - I have removed the lids and they fit perfectly

I made a mini version of a hanging shoe bag using heavy vinyl (sp) for the pockets and embroidered the sizes and types above each pocket. It hangs on the wall right by my machine.

I store mine in 2 sandwhich baggies -- one for hand needles one for sewing machine needles.

Bent broken needles & pins go in an empty pill bottle

I use sugar holders; like the ones which hold individual packages of Sugar, Splenda, Equal, Sweet n`Low... They are small enough that I can keep one holder at each machine. The plastic needle cases are the same rectangle size as an individual package of Splenda. I can hold about 10 plastic needle cases in each holder.

Omg, you're all so organized, mine roll around loosly in the bottom od a sewing box lol

I used glass jars to put my sewing machine needles in. I have to many different kinds to sort them, but with them all together I can look for what I want and at the same time take a break from the sewing machine. plus I have to get up and move, good exercise.

Love the photo album idea... gonna use it.