"Straw" needles
 

I have read somewhere that when binding a quilt by hand that "straw" needles where the best and easiest to use. I have yet to find any. could use help with this - I tried a search but I am not very computer savy and failed to find them - I am almost sure I must be doing something wrong :D Thanks Cheryl:thumbup:

Straw needles are also called Milliners needles. I use my size 11 applique needles for my bindings. Here is a link with lots of choices. I still think that it is personal opinion as to which needle you feel more comfortable with.

http://www.sewuniquecreations.com/ca...ategory_id=232

I agree with jansquiltn - it's a personal opinion as to which needle you use. I just use the needle that 's the closest and since I've just hand quilted the piece, I use a quilting needle.

Thanks for the web site - If I cant find in town I now have a place to order from. I appreciate it:thumbup:

I've learned something new - had never heard of 'straw' needles!

I had never heard of straw needles till a couple of weeks ago. At our next monthly quilting group meeting, one of the members is giving a demo on how she does her exquisite hand applique. She told us to get straw needles as part of our supply list. Now I know where to get them. Thanks for the link!

I have heard of straw needles, don't think I have any. I just use a short, sharp needle to sew the bindings on. Works well for me.

I use and love straw needles, too.

Thank you for including this site! It's great.

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

I use a hand quilting needle for my binding and it has worked well for me.

I use the same source as mommessy. Using tem for applique with silk thread almost hides the sewing. Love them.

I use straw needles from a old established British company John James Needles Ltd. Have a look under "about us" on their website for some fascinating history.

http://www.jjneedles.com/pages/-About-Us.html

(I don't have any connection with the company - just like to support a small, well-established company, and it IS a very interesting website!

i bought staw needles, aka milliners needles to quilt my jane with. luv them, they are a little longer. for me to learn to hand quilt with. i am enjoying them. can't stand to pick up a little short 'quilting' needle now.

I get my straw needles from my LQS. I love them! Not only are they great for binding, but excellent for needle turn applique. I don't use them for hand quilting, though, because they are so thin.

Do they have a fairly decent sized eye?

I have been using straw needles for several years to sew my bindings on. they are very thin and long. Love them. Get them at my local quilt shop.

Me too!!! I love reading and finding out new things. Everyone is so helpful.

Not really. i usually thread my needles early in the day, when my eyes are fresh. thread 8 or so, for the day. put a piece of white paper behind the eye, or turn the needle around.

Thanks to all who explained about straw needles. I have used the Fons and Porter set that says for quilt binding. I'll have to give the straw needle a try ...my stitches need some help.

The needles that I use for hand quilting are called "betweens". I generally use size 9 or 10 and I think you will find them quite easily in most quilting supply shops.

I prefer the straw needles as they have some flexability. I use ones fom Foxglove cottage.

I had straw needles and loved them. Needed more and could not find them anywhere but I found milliner needles that were the same so I got them and they work just as well. the only thing about them is they are so thin they tend to bow but they still sew great. I change to a new one when the bow or bend gets really bad. I just saw straw needles on sale in my last Connecting threads catalog and plan to order some.

I use straw needles for applique, but not for binding. I use silk thread for applique, and I can easily thread that through the straw needle, but when binding I use a heavier thread and can't usually get it through the straw needle's eye. I also prefer a heavier needle for binding.

straw needles are my favorite too.

For applique, I like the straw needles and silk thread. I don't have many colors, but when you snug up the thread, it almost disappears! Love it! It made my 1st project look great!

The eye is quite small but the needles are wonderful to use. I bought the Clover needle threader to thread for me- it is amazing.

I do a lot of needle turn and I use a straw needle. They are the same width all the way down, really are great to sew with. They easily bend tho....

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!

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.

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.

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.