Lyncat

I got a pincushion in a Baggie of sewing notions at a cool rummage sale. I cut it open and found 52 needles inside! I have a strong preference for older needles, paper clips, and staples. They seem to be of better quality than the newer ones.

Tartan

I don't reuse needles where I don't know where they have been. As for the quality, I love my John James needles for both sharpness and durability. The needle packages from chain stores are usually poor quality.

tessagin

When I come across needles like that, I just use for hand sewing. Some people often just stick a needle in to have a place to put it. I would get a magnifying glass to see if any have rusted or have gouges or burrs as some like to call them. I found a couple needles that looked like very tiny fish hooks on the end. Some staples rust also and that is why many won't work. They have fused together.

redbreast

As long as you don't use the needles in your machine, you should be fine. I volunteer at a Senior Center and we get a lot of older material when someone's relative has died. You would not believe how a rusty pin or needle can ruin a good piece of fabric. Sorry if I burst your happy bubble but I didn't want you to get into trouble.

Quilt Fan

For my 16th birthday my grandmother gifted me with a good sized strawberry pink pincushion. Flash forward to age 50. We cut the well used pincushion open and found about 70 needles. Agreed, the older needles do seem better and they were with my sewing tools all that time. Did a lot of garment sewing over the years. Probably the only pincushion used by my daughter and myself. Have four here and there now.