Frustration Repellent for the Absent-Minded
 

I got so fed up trying to remember what size and type needle I had in which machine as I'm using all three : one to sew, one to quilt and one to bind and for any thicker material, switching pressure feet, thread colors etc. to get my Christmas sewing done. So to keep track of the needle size I took a tiny piece of removable tack-all adhesive and now I simply mount the approppriate plastic needle case on the side of the machine the needle is in. I have saved some empties, tooand now these come handy as frustration repellents!

I'm absent minded too and usually wait way to long to change my needles. I decided to use a sticky note and record the needle size and date I changed it. Seems to be working for me. I say, whatever it takes to help us be more efficient. :)

That sounds like a very good idea, good for you, thanks for the hint.

This was something that was slowly driving me crazy until I got this fantastic needle organiser made for me by sewdamncute on the Secret Pal swap.
Since this photo was taken, I've labelled all the needle packet pockets and when I've got a particular needle in one of my machines I put a coloured pin in the corresponding felt strip.
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I found these little craft boxes that have compartments that are the same size as needle packages. I have two buttons, one for each machine that I drop in the compartment of the needle that's in the machine.


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Which needle I currently have in a machine is always a mystery to me, too. Thank you, ladies, for some really great suggestions!

Thanks for the great suggestions and the reminder to change the needle.

The owner of a local quilt shop who has done many videos, etc. solved this problem. She only uses top-stitch needles. Sure makes life easier and I have not had a problem remembering since I adopted her policy. Yes, I do use jeans needles on denim, but almost exclusively the top-stitch.

Loved these ideas and realize I need to get more organized so my work looks and feels better with the right needle and less effort.

I tape a 3x5 card to the machine with blue painter's tape. On the card I write the size and type of the needles and draw a column to separate them. When I put a needle in the machine, I put the date in the appropriate column. This not only helps to know what is in the machine but gives me some idea how long I have been using that needle.