Once I've taken a needle out of its original package I have a LOT of trouble reading/interpreting its size. With "cheaters" (glasses) AND a magnifying glass I might (just might) be able to read the numbers.

However, I don't know how you'd be able to tell the difference between, say, a regular size 14 needle and a size 14 topstitch. Is there some way to know? Metallic? Embroidery?

And what do "red tip", "blue tip" etc. mean?

Sometimes I use several different needles in a day, and am not careful about putting them back in their packaging...any hints to help with this?

Thanks in advance.

I put them in tiny plastic bottles that I"ve collected over the years, with the numbers printed out and taped on them just as soon as they are taken out of their packages.
Otherwise, I'm the same, can't see the darn numbers on them, even with a magnifying glass when tired.
Small spice jars, small olive jars, etc. also work quite well.

Some people mark their tomato pincushions, drawing a grid on them for the different sizes, as well as for the different types too.
You could even make a rectangular pincushion, and mark it for all of your different needles :D:D:D

This download might help

my idea: when a needle is removed from its package, take a solid color fabric scrap and, with a marker, jot down everything you want to know about the needle. When done, keep the thread on your needle take a stitch into the cloth (to prevent it from sliding out), and end by sliding the needle into the fabric.

the red tips, blue tips are how you tell your needles ... different colored ends on different size/type needles. my needles are red-sharps, blue=embroidery, green- topstitch...some people keep a post-it near by, when getting out a new needle they jot down which needle they are going to use, size and type...so they can go back and reference when needed. i tend to just keep the package out, sitting beside the machine. so if i'm away for any length of time and go in to sew something i can pick it up and know exactly what needle is in the machine.

Thanks for the cool download, Honchey.

You are so welcome!!

That is a GREAT download on needles. Everyone should look at that, it is has a lot of information in it. Thank you Honchey!

Thank you so much, Honchey. I also have a hard time keeping track of my needles.

Thanks for the download. Good info.

Awesome download, Was just sitting here trying to find out what needle I have here and decided to look on the board for some info. I am so very glad I did. Thank you

Thanks for the attachment. Very interesting and something to keep.

I've done that for years with an old tomato pincushion I had. It works great!

If I find a needle out of the package and I have no idea what it is, the least frustrating way for me to deal with it is to toss it. I try to keep needles in the right packages but that doesn't happen a lot of the time.

I keep my needle packages in a craft box that has multiple compartments. I use a pretty button and put it in the compartment of the needle I have in the machine. If I change the needle even for just an hour I move that button. I always know exactly which needle is in the machine.

Which is great for telling what size is in the pincushion. I never could figure out how that was supposed to tell me what was in the machine. I tossed that pincushion and the needles too.

Too funny that is what I would have done too!

My sister uses many different kinds of needles. She is way more organized than I am and uses many different types of needles. She made a needle book for sewing machine needles (Bernina has the pattern). Here's the best photo of a similar one that I could find.

In any case, she added a little plastic sleeve to her machine (glued on). When she takes the needle out of the package and puts it into her machine, she put a piece of paper into the sleeve that indicates size and type of needle currently in the machine before she does anything else.

Plastic sleeve example

This is what I use. I put used needles through a piece of wool and it sits on the top of the compartment.

OK, I had the same problem.....changing needles all the time. So, I took a piece of white felt (you could probably use batting too) and labeled it by brand of needle and size of needle with a permanent marker. When I use a needle, and finish with it, I just stick it in the proper place on the felt. I also have a "sticky" piece of paper attached to my machine where I write the type of needle in the machine at the current time. That way, when I want to change it out, I know where to put it on my felt "caddie". Works for me!!

They sell a needle chart. It lists all the sizes and types of needles, then you put a pin in it for the type/size needle you are currently using. I have one and like it. Sorry, I am away from home and don't know the brand or name.

I use the tomato pincushion method, using a sharpie to write on it. I have a big stick pin, like for a corsage, that I stick in the section of the pincushion so I know what size is in my machine.

I have never put needles back in the package. I like to assume when I pull out a needle from the package that it is brand new.