Quiltingboard Forums - "Straw" needles

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Quote:

Originally Posted by efayard (Post 4700952)

The first I heard of "straw needles" was when I first started hand applique and they were mentioned by Jeana Kimball. She has them on her website and describes them as:

Best known for use in hand applique, the Straw needle has a narrow shank that glides easily through several layers of fabric. Since the eye of the needle is punched within the existing shank, it does not hesitate at the eye when pulled through fabric. The Straw needle is also useful for basting, hand piecing, and applique. Here's her website: http://www.jeanakimballquilter.com/s...awneedles.html.

NOTE: I'm not sure if that is a current our out of date website. You may want to check before ordering.

I also love straw needles. They have more bend to them than the betweens. They are great for applique and for sewing the binding on by hand!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommessy (Post 4694057)

I use Jeanna Kimball's straw needles on her Foxglove Cottage site. Have used them for years.

These are the ones I used for applique in Brenda Papadakis' Dear Jane class.

I use John James for binding.

I use straw needles when I hand applique, size 11. They are long and thin and will not split the threads of the very narrow seam allowance.

I tried quilting with straw needles. They are a bit longer than my "betweens" but they are so flexible that I found it difficult to quilt with. I couldn't pile the stitches on since the needle kept bending.. However, I am a new quilter..perhaps that makes a difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailsablazin (Post 4703898)

I only use straw needles for applique and doing hand binding. I would not use them for quilting.

Yes I love Straw needles! Here is a link and they are on sale for $2.25:

http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...ay.asp?i=25936

However when I was at the Houston Quilt Festival a couple of weeks ago everyone was talking about Tulip needles from Japan and they are even better then straw needles!!! Karen Kay Buckley sells them on her website here is the link.

http://www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php?cat=6

Also on her page is a link to the best scissors ever! They are awesome...have a micro serrated blade that cuts the fabric without fraying...most scissors do not have this and they end up pushing the fabric away from the blade causing more fraying. The point is also really sharp perfect for applique.

http://www.karenkaybuckley.com/store.php?cat=5

Just thought I'd share what I learned!!

Thanks for sharing all this great information!!!! You should post the links on the section for links on the board - other members would probably be interested especially the scissors.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quiltgirl26 (Post 4705102)

I am going to have to try these - my only concern is that I dont have much feeling in my fingers and if they are too thin I probably cant hold on to them lol Thanks for all the information though - I will defintely try them out Cheryl:thumbup:

I too have used the Jeana Kimball needles and really like them. You could check if your LQS carries them, or otherwise order from her.