I have several different pieces of scrap fabric that I write the size of the needle on. I then attach the needle to it. I always know which size needle is in my machine - just look to see which of my scraps of fabric does not have a needle in it. I also write the date I start using that needle on the fabric as well. When I've written too much on my scrap, I then use it as a starter or ender when I sew.

I take a tomato pincushion and divide each space vertically with a fabric marker; then I write in each space what size needle goes there. I put one needle in each space; when I remove a needle to put it in my machine, I put a pin in that space so that it indicates which needle is in the machine. It works very well.

I have the same problem. The post-its work on one of my machines but fall off of the other ones (i hnow have four that I use). I put double sided repositionable tape the machine and put a note with the needle info in it. sometimes the tape is labeled "poster tape" Its non-permanent, sort of like post-its only stronger. When I remove the needle I remove the note too and the tape stays on the machine for the next time. Then I poke the needle through the note with its info on it and put it in a the tray with all of my needles. When the tape looses its sticking power or gets dirty, it comes off with no residue and I put on another piece. I use this for notes about stitch settings when I use decorative stitches too..I can never remember how wide or long I made them.

I didn't know about this, Thanks for sharing! :D

When you finish a project, remove the needle at that time. Then with each project you will have to put a needle in and that is when you would chose the correct needle for the project.



Ha Ha! If I did that, I would NEVER change my needle!

Hope this attachment works:
I found something like this online- someone had sewn this and labeled it and they put the needles they used in the correct spot. I made this spreadsheet out of it and use a push pin on a bulletin board to indicate which machine has which needle. At some point I do plan to sew this too so that I can put my used needles in the correct spot on it. For now I use a marked tomato for that.
For those without Word, I'm hoping you can get the chart here:
MACHINE NEEDLES 8/60 10/70 11/75 12/80 14/90 16/100
Ballpoint
Denim
Microtex
Stretch
Universal
Quilting
Embroidery
Tostitch
Metallic

There are a number of suggestions here ( look under "USED NEEDLES / NEEDLES IN USE" ) :
http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com...d-stabilizers/

I have a needle book, but I tend to not remove the needle from my machine, because I think that I'll be right back to it. After all, who wants to immediately have to rethread a needle? Then I get delayed and forget what needle is in my machine, in spite of having a nice needle book handy.

I think I'll try your notebook technique, as that does not require me to always remove the needle. I'll still use my needle book, but only when switching to a new needle and the old one is still good. This will also give me a better idea as to how long I've used a given needle -- another thing that is easily forgotten.

Thanks!

Cindy[/quote]
There are a number of suggestions here ( look under "USED NEEDLES / NEEDLES IN USE" ) :
http://thedomesticdiva.wordpress.com...d-stabilizers/[/quote]

Wow, as a newbie I never realized the importance of needle changes! I am soooo embarrassed!

:oops: This link has some wonderful organizational tips I will be putting in place plus the wonderful ideas mentioned in this topic - bookmarked forever! Thank you for all....

Cotilda sold a needle minder a few years back that sticks on you machine. Plastic about 1.5 inches square with needle sizes and type on it and a little arrows to move to let you know what needle in the machine. I'd be up a creek without it since I can't read the needle anymore either. Do have a jewelers eye piece in my sewing desk drawer in case I do have a needle and don't know it's size. Have never had the arrows slip to another position on me either. Don't know if they still sell it but I sure love mine.

Just went to the link sent by butterflies5518 and they show the exact tracker I just posted about, it is called NEEDLETRAK.

Best idea is to take needle out every time and put it back where you got it. That way you'll know which needle is in your machine.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting here laughing my head off - my daughter will turn 52 next year - so how old does that make me feel.

I love your straw idea and will be using that from now on.

I made a small fold over case that has the different types needles and sizes - when I put in a new needle I take a flower pin and insert it into that section, this is put under the table of my machine. when I am in doubt as to which needle is in the machine I just open the case

Bev, thanks! ...so many options

Post it notes work great, and there are segmented pincushions like the fons and porter flower or similar, something you can use a fine point marker on, mark needle size on segment and when done put the needle back into that segment. Works if you dont forget! Check out the previous link for the dresden pincushion:thumbup:

I also resort to using a magnifing glass. Found a neat machine needle organizer by Singer @ JoAnn that looks like a pill bottle with individual slots inside & a hole on top.Twist the lid to
dispense the needle from the inside slot. Has 4 different slots & I'll use a fine sharpie to mark the sz. slots on the outside of the "bottle".

This is a link provided by Cindy2sew - it is an awesome link she provided - thank you

How do you keep track of how old your needle is (how much it's been used, how dull it is, etc) if you're removing it after each project - just wondering

I am amazed! I have two needle pack notions that all of you could use it seems. One is called the nnedletrak and has a moving notch for each type of needle -- just put it in line with the needle your're using. It sticks close to your machine. The other is called "needlePack" and has slots to put your needles according to type and size. What could be easier? And they don't cost an arm nor a leg.

Not supposed to use magnets on the computer type of machines - at least that is what I was told.

Thanks for the straw idea, will definitely try that.
For storage, I use the plastic containers that some of the needles came in, with size already marked. I have this container that is by the machine, It has four slots marked with "regular point, ball point, heavy duty and sheer" on the outside of each slot. The top has 2 holes to get the needle out, much like the toothpick holder idea. I think I bought it at Joann's a while ago, it may have been around $5.00(with the 40 or 50 % coupon it would be reasonable). Next time I go to Joann's I'll check & see if they still carry it. I took a picture, but I am having trouble to attach it. Let's hope it works.

do you have a Needle BOOK....you can make one easily..

another I do, is color code my needles..like the Singer needles used to do..

I use a sharpie and color the quilting needles, metallic needles, stretch needles, and microtex needles.

GrannieAnnie, you're right about computerized machines and magnets. They don't go together. That's what's nice about the NeedleTrak notion. You know exactly what type of needle you have in your machine and it isn't magnetized.

I love the straw idea and will use it but my cats won't leave my pin cushions alone!

ewnsewer2]Color code them with a perminent marker, I do it.[/quote]
Or you could use different color nail polish to mark the top.

ewnsewer2]Color code them with a perminent marker, I do it.[/quote]
Or you could use different color nail polish to mark the top.

Why did the companies stop the color coding of needles? I walked with the Dinosaurs, and I remember buying needles for my Kenmore in the 70's-90's in different colored covers and there was that same color band on the needle just below where the shaft is on the machine. So you could at a glance see the band and know what size of needle you had in the machine. I don't remember seeing this color coding for quite sometime.

Great ideas here. You guys rock!

I have resorted to leaving the package I got the needle out of on my machine so I know what needle I am using and can put it back.

What a fantastic idea, I'll have to try it, and I just happen to have some straws in the house. Thanks.

I had the same problem especially with my LAQ, so I started keeping a small note pad by my machine with the size of needle presently in the machine, project and the fabric type, it's been a good reference.

I recently saw this video:
[url] http://www.thequiltshow.com/os/lessons_video.php/lessons_id/1142/classes_id/1019/teacher/sharonpederson [/ url]
I hope it will be useful to you!
A hug

Instead of a post-it note which falls off, write it on some masking tape or white paper tape, and stick it to the front of the machine in an out of the way place. Or stick it on the frame of the swing-arm lamp you sew with, or some obvious *same spot* all the time.

Because I change needles for a special project long before the current needle needs replacing, etc., here's how I handle it:

When you put a new needle in the machine, show the needle size and type (ball point, sharp, etc.) on a 3/4" piece of masking tape. Apply that tape to your machine right on the front in full view. Then you always know which needle you're using.

When it's time to change the needle for a new project(e.g., embroidery to denim) note on the tape for the removed needle about how many hours you've sewn with it (you should only go 8 hours maximum), and fold that tape around the top of the needle you've removed.

Make a new tape for the needle going into the machine.

When the needles have reached their 8 hours, I keep them in a separate spot as they're just great for perforating paper pieces for new projects.

One suggestion is to buy a "tomato" pin cushion. Write on the segments in permanent ink the size needles you commonly use. Then as others as have suggested, remove the needle when you have fininished your project and put it into the tomato.

i use the tomato pin cushion and i have each section labeled with sharpie with the needle info and which ever section is empty thats the one in my machine.


its like this but i just used the red tomato i had on hand

http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...+pincushion.do

Needles are so cheap. I really like the idea of just removing and throwing the needle when you've completed your project. When you start your next project determine which needle will be best.

Right After I finish a project that did NOT use a #12 needle, I remove the needle I used and decide whether or not it is worth saving. If it can be reused I stick the needle in the correct part of a special "tomato" pin custion that has each section numbered with a different needle size. I then put a # 12 needle back in the machine since 90% of my sewing is done with this size.( Or in a pinch I don't replace it at all). I also divided the top and bottom sections of the pin cushion and put the sharps above that line and the ball points below it. I always know I have a number 12 needle in the machine'

I'm your age, but think you have already overcome some of the challenges of our age group1 Way to go! Thanks!