Have the same issue as we refurbish machines. I write a bio on te machines and add the needle type and size I am using because my husband and I handle machines in differnet ways our choice of needles are different and it's hard to keep them straight if not. I also keep the pack close by and put a small permanent marker stripe on the used needle before puting it back in the pack.

I use a little piece of blue painters tape which will not leave a residue when removed. Just use any pen and write the type of needle being used. Just be sure to change it when you change the next needle.

Wouldn't it be a good idea if all needles were standardised colour coded. Manufacturers take note.

A bit off track, but the old needles are great to pound into the wall and hold fairly light pictures, etc..

What a fantastic idea, I will start with that , also any one got clear idea when I need to REPLACE the needle? I only use mine for piecing not for quilting? I can't feel any difference in the way they go thru the fabric.

Never heard of the straw idea. Gonna have to try it.

This has been a most helpful issue. I have lots of ideas now to work with to keep up with needles. It has been a "needling" issue for me.

I often use multiple types and sizes of needles in a single project -- often in a single day, so this is a big issue for me.

Even if I know the needle type, I have difficulties reading the size stamped on the needle. I cannot even read those with a magnifying glass. Maybe it would make it easier to see if I marked the number with a black sharpie, and then wiped off it off the surface. That's something I'll have to try.

Check in the search area. there was an idea about a needle case to help you with that problem. It was labeled and divided and the one missing is what is in your machine.

What a neat idea.

I have several machines also - I put a color dot on the machines - RED / Green / yellow - that matched pin heads that I had - made a chart on fabric with batting behind it: across the top is the size of the needle (ie 60 - 70 - 80 - 90) and down the side is the type - universal, quilting, topstitch, metallic etc. Then I put the color coded pin in the slot to match the needle in the machine
when I take it out (say metallic) I put it where the pin is on the chart so I can use it again. Hope this helps

I take the needle out of the package and tape with painters tape the package to the front of my machine. I only have one package taped there at any given time and I know what needle is in the machine. I do put a swipe of nail polish on the outside of the package. That is to remind me that that particular needle has been used but still has some "life" left in it.

I use what is called the needle holster & I love it!

I love the Needle Holster. I had never seen it, but it's on my list now. Thanks for the tip, MTV.

I do the same thing. I remove the needle when I finish a project. Then I know I need to load a new one .

Put the post it note on the back end, near the switch, where it is not likely to get knocked off.

I have a gadget I bought several years ago called a Needle Grabbit. It is a heavy magnet covered w/a sheet divided into rectangles with the type of needle in use, i.e., Universal, Stretch, Ballpoint, Denim, Microtex, Quilting and Embroidery with several blank rectangles. You write in the needle size w/marking pen. A small magnet is attached to the board which you use to indicate what size needle you are currently using. For instance, say you use 4 different size universal needles. You would write 100, 80, 90 and 70 in the four universal rectangles. If you are currently using an 80 needle you would place the small magnet in that rectangle to show that's what's in the machine. Wish I could explain it better or take a picture but not that savvy with the computer. This was made by blue-feather.com but many years ago. Don't know if they still make them but you might inquire.

I keep a small notebook handy for what is in the machine, settings used for projects, etc. Keep needles in medicine container (the daily snap lid kind) with lid marked for type of needle.

Make or buy a pin cushion that is sectioned off into multiple sections and them w/a sharpie you can mark the cushion for pin size and type. Put your needle in the right section and you'll always know what it is.

I love your idea of using a straw to insert the needle! I have problems inserting my needles into my machine too!

I used to use post it notes, but now I have put writable eraseable scotch tape on the front of the machine and write what the needle is on the tape. When I change I erase the tape, and write the new information.

I use a "tomato" pin cushion that I marked in sections with a sharpie, put an identifier as to what size/type needle in each section and then stick my needles in it as I remove them from the machine.

Edit to add: I'm sorry, I didn't see this had already been suggested.

That's ok; I couldn't remember what it was called. I could see the red but for the life of me I couldn't come up w/tomato for the name. Thank you

Any time you are not sure of the needles size look at wit a magnifier and the number is printed on the shaft of every machine needle they are small but they are there.

Nail polish works good~ :) Like the straw idea!

After I use the denim needle I replace it back into the needle case it came from. I do the same with the others if I only used them for a little while. After using them for so many hours I get rid of them and start with a new one for the next big project.

I contacted a friend that has a Cricut Cutter and she's cutting me some letters out of bright colors. E, S and Q. Going to figure some way to attach them to the front of my machine so I'll know what needle's in there when I leave and come or when I've finished one project before I start another one.

This was the only way I figured I would be able to remember.

Good luck!

The red tomato pin cushion mark with ink I draw lines, label each section with type of needle and sub divide for needle size. I use a straight pin with a colored head and put it in the section of the needle in the machine. All your used needles are in one place.