Originally Posted by Thusnelda
Usually I notice it while sewing, when the needle needs replacing because of a slight plopping sound when the needle goes through the fabric.
This. And my Home Ec teacher gave me great advice, years ago. Don't change the needle at the end of a project, just take it out. That way when you sit down to a new project you don't have to try and remember if you've changed the needle yet. You know you haven't yet if there's no needle in the machine. Put the new one in and you're ready to go!