How to identify used sewing machine needles???????
 

If I have used a sewing machine needle for only a short amount of time I stick them into a pin cushion to be used again. I can look at the needle and read the size and brand and in some cases the color of the shaft will identify what kind of needle it is however most needles can't be identifed that way so how can I tell the difference between a universal, ballpoint, metalic, quilting etc.??? In a cleaning frenzy and need to sort and categorize so your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Sue

Mark a tomato pin cushion with a marker of the different sizes and keep it in the correct section.

I keep them in old RX bottles marked with size ect.

I've run into this problem before also. Am liking this idea but would like to follow this thread for more ideas. How do you do that?

I have used medicine containers, also. AND have used fingernail polish. Make sure you make a key if you do the latter.

Yes, I have seen many methods of keeping like kind of needles together AFTER identifing what kind of needle they are however, I need to know how to identify them in order to group them with same kind of needle. ie. ballpoint, quilting, universal. I even saw one I liked awhile back that was a book made of fabric with embroidered label for each kind of
needle on each page. But this is not what I am asking.....I need to identify each needle now that I was lazy and threw them all together. Thanks for any help. Sue

Oops. You might be out of luck this time.

I shouldn't admit this, but I pretty much use whatever needle is in the machine for whatever I'm working on, knowing that I only have the "middle" range of sizes. (I don't work with sheers or denim.)

Go to Wal-Mart and buy a magnifying glass :)

I put my needles thru a piece of paper and mark the type, size and how long used on the paper. I put them in a plastic box with a snap on lid. I don'thave to change needles as frequently as with each project if it has been small. if you use post-it notes you can stick the note on your machine to put the needle back thru the paper when you need to change needles. I hope you can understand this explaination.

You take a Sharpie and draw sections on the tomato cushion and write the needle size in the appropriate section. If you work with different types of needles you need to also mark the needle type. Then when you take the needle out of the machine, stick it into the appropriate section. If you don't remember what size the needle is the machine at any time, you need to figure out a system to note the size and type. Blue painter's tape works well coz it's easily removable.

Actually, I have seen a pincushion for sale with the markings on it.

Honestly, I am with Lee in Richmond and often use what's in the machine until it gets dull.