Ok, I admit I am getting older (52) and I have difficulty remembering which needle is in my machine! I switch projects a lot and change my needle (when I remember) to the project I am working on so I could end up with an denim needle on a embroidery project. (Its happened)
I need some ideas how to remember which needle I have loaded in my machine. I have tried post-it notes on the front of the machine but I find they fall off too easily. Any suggestions?

Cindy

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.

I am going to watch this thread... I am 51... do the same thing... yes.. I have had a denim needle in when doing embroidery..... I wish I could figure out a way when I take them out of the package to then identify what they are.. Have bifocals and find it too difficult to read what is on the needle.. I have 2 machines so have to be sure and keep them all straight.. UGH...
I do find the trick using a common drinking straw to help remove and put in new needles... you just hold the drinking straw horizontal and push the needle into one side of the straw. Then it has a handle... it is much easier to put it in and I use that to take it out also, just lay drinking straw on the top of the foot and move needle down by hand and pierce thru one side of straw, loosen the screw.. and it comes out with out dropping into the feed dogs.

That is one of the problems I have also. I cant read size on the needle even with my glasses on and have resorted to using a magnifying glass on occasion. I love the straw idea! I will have o start using that!! Thank you!

cindy

Color code them with a perminent marker, I do it.

The straw idea is great!

Straw idea is great!

What about using different color nail polish, you can get almost any color. Go to a dollar store or any place that sells cheap polish.

When I stop a project(not finished) I remove the needle, thread through a small piece of fabric from that project (usualy focas piece) then store it in a Large pill bottle, When the bottle gets full I know I have too many UFO'S Makes it easy to find. Must add straws to shoping list.

I cannot read the stuff on needles either. I have a tomato pin cushin just for machine needles and have used a fine tip pen to put the needle # in each section. I put them in the section when I open the package so I always know what it is.

That's what I do too! That was going to be my suggestion. I have a couple different tomatoes because there are so many needles- the different numbered sizes, and then there are the "E" series for my embroidery needles of different sizes, "B" for ballpoint, "M" for metallic...and so on! It makes it so much easier to keep track AND I don't have to hunt through a million needle packs to find the kind I want!

I tape the package that the needle came out of onto my machine. This way I know what I am using, the painters tape holds it, but doesn't leave any residue :D:D:D

If your post-it notes don't stick, then just write onto painters tape and stick it to your machine to keep track as to what is in your machine.

I also do that if there's some specific settings I am using for a project, so that when I go back to the machine, I know exactly what they were.

There are some great ideas here!

Great idea! Thanks!

Cindy

I have a quilted mini quilt made of muslin which I have divided into sections quarterly and diagonally so there are 8 divisions. I have stitched on the dividing lines, the mini quilt is bound, and I used a sharpee marker to write on each section what the needles are. I have made 2 of these. One I use for the basic needle sizes, and the other I use for specialty needles.
As I take a needle out of my machine, I put it onto the correct section of my mini quilt, and take out the needle I want to change to. Works really good for me, and if I can, maybe tomorrow I will post a picture so you know what this looks like.

I would LOVE to see this. Please post it so we all can see!

Cindy

How about making some tiny magnets to stick on the front of the machine--with some sort of ID.

I have a craft box with compartments just the right size to hold needle packages. I put one size and type of needle in each compartment. I have two machines so I use two different buttons and drop on in the compartment of the needle that's in the coresponding machine.

colour cade them with a light coat of different colour nail polish on base of needle and container

I have a clear plastic extension table on my machine and I put the needle box I take the needle out of under the table in front of the machine. I tried other things, but this works best for me.

I bought one of those big red pincushions with a strawberry emery attached at JoAnn's on sale. It already has the decorative thread dividing it up into sections. I then marked it off into smaller sections using a Pigma Pen and marked each section with a specific needle type & size. I put a large flower head pin in the section of the needle type & size that is currently in my sewing machine.

I think this cost me about $1 as I did this years ago.

ali

This is why I love this board. Even the simplest problem has so many different solutions. You all are better than all the quilt mags rolled into one.

I love these suggestions

Please post a pic. My mind was recently going in this direction but hadn't quite figured it out. Sounds like what you've done would be perfect for me.
So many great ideas posted - love this board.

Be careful if your machine is computerized - the magnets will damage it....

This would be my way if I had more than one needle!!

Straw idea is great. Thanks. I post a note on my machine when I change the faceplate to the single hole so I can start my small squares and not have them pull down into the bobbin area--just remove plate when done so I can zigzag.

Love the straw idea thanks

The needles that I buy are colour - coded.They have little bands at the top of the shaft -blue,green maroon,gold etc.Perhaps you could buy those to make it easier for your memory?

I keep a spiral notebook on my countertop nearby - I have a page for needles - I write down what date I put the needle in, what type it is and what projects I used it for (some smaller projects don't require a needle change every time but most appliques/quilting do).
I also have a page to track when I last "cleaned" my machine at home.
The book also serves as a quick place to jot down things on projects that don't get finished all in one setting - like tensions, stitch length etc. Another page is a Wish List. Post It note flags mark important things. This way I don't have a ton of loose notes everywhere. I just check my book. I use one of those "journal" type spiral books - they are pretty reasonable and have lots of pages.

I did this with keys. It worked great

great idea, thanks

I put a small post-it note on my machine identifying what is in use.

Michaels has small wooden needle containers. I have written needle numbers and uses on each. When I remove a needle from my machine, that's still good, it goes into the appropriate container until needed again.

So far this is working for me!

This is what I do. I tape it right the top of the machine where it won't get in the way. I also put a post-it under the needle case with the date so I know how long the needle has been in there. I can usually remember by the date what project I was working on and how many hours I used that needle.

51 and yes I've often forgotten which needle is in which machine. And I just bought two new rolls of frog tape to prove it (at least I remembered I ran out!).

ditto! .... do hope that you will show us a pic

Looks like the mini could be rolled up like a jewellery roll in between times. Maybe could have a section for hand sewing needles too?

Thanks ladies. I'm going to use these ideas.

I bought an extra tomato just for needles. I used a sharpie marker and marked off the sizes. Then when I know I just used a certain one, I run it thru the starwberry and store on the right marked side. Great idea, when I was sewing only clothes.

Now the down side...I never marked it off for ball points, or now embroidery and quilting needles. Need to either buy a couple more for that, which is not what I want to do. Or make my own needle cushion.

It is still in the "when I am tired and bored and don't want to think much I'll design one" stage though. lol
Dawn

Ladies, I have seen some beautiful pincushions on this list any other ideas?

Dawn

Getting older . . 52? Don't I wish!
My problem is I don't know what needle to use for what! I rarely change my needle, maybe that is the next step in my thought process!!! My projects would probably go easier if I used the proper equipment!

Can't you reuse the plastic holder the needles come in? Just mark the one that been used. And 52 is not getting older,just better! P.S. I'm 53 and proud of it.