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-   -   How do you store and keep track of your machine sewing needles? (https://www.quiltingboard.com/mission-organization-f23/how-do-you-store-keep-track-your-machine-sewing-needles-t281201.html)

cashs_mom 08-10-2016 11:23 AM

I use a plastic box with moveable dividers that I got at Sears Hardware. It works great for keeping all my sizes and types of needles. I have a similar one only larger that I use to keep my Bernina feet in. It looks like I'm going to have to get a couple more for the feet and bobbins for my 2 vintage Singers.

annette1952 08-10-2016 12:31 PM

I use the little snack pack baggies, label it with the size & type on each bag then just put them in my little drawer of a bin

momsbusy 08-10-2016 01:35 PM

Beware of the lovingly marked tomato. I organized one by section and loved how it worked. One day I entered my sewing room and discovered that somebody had pressed all of the needles into the tomato. It looked empty. I now leave them in their original containers that are sorted into a cheap plastic embroidery thread case with moveable dividers.

cashs_mom 08-10-2016 07:13 PM


Originally Posted by momsbusy (Post 7624154)
Beware of the lovingly marked tomato. I organized one by section and loved how it worked. One day I entered my sewing room and discovered that somebody had pressed all of the needles into the tomato. It looked empty. I now leave them in their original containers that are sorted into a cheap plastic embroidery thread case with moveable dividers.

Oh, I forgot that I have one of those tomatoes that I've marked to put my needles that I've only used for a little bit. No one goes in my sewing room so I don't have to worry.

QuiltnLady1 08-10-2016 07:59 PM

I one of those who uses the boxes intended for sorting embroidery floss to sort my needles (the boxes for the needles fit nicely into the box). My lightly used needles go into a marked red tomato pin cushion.

todiesmom 08-11-2016 03:35 AM

I do keep used needles if they are not a problem since I change my needle each time I start a new project. I make a lot of totes and bags and used needles are perfect for the thick top stitching at the top of the bag...this seems to ruin needles so I take out my new needle and put one in that I have used already. This works for me. I store them in the empty plastic boxes that they came in and mark used on the box. Each time I put in a new needle I fill out a small form that I made which shows the date and type/size needle...I also sometimes stick the needle thru this paper slip when I take it out so that I know exactly when and how much this needle was used. Hope this helps someone.

unclefreckles 08-11-2016 06:46 AM

3 Attachment(s)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]555762[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]555763[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]555764[/ATTACH]My local Brothers sewing shop offered a class on a needle storage idea. Here are pictures. I can put slightly used needles under number of hours and the cord with a tab tells me what is currently in the machine.

QuiltnNan 08-11-2016 07:50 AM


Originally Posted by unclefreckles (Post 7624707)
[ATTACH=CONFIG]555762[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]555763[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]555764[/ATTACH]My local Brothers sewing shop offered a class on a needle storage idea. Here are pictures. I can put slightly used needles under number of hours and the cord with a tab tells me what is currently in the machine.


what a great case!

mac 08-11-2016 01:47 PM


Originally Posted by FGlinda (Post 7623492)
I use a small box (I think it's about 4x6) intended for embroidery floss. I probably bought it at Joanns. There are sections in the box that I use to organize the needles by size or type. I never put a used needle back in the original case. I have a 'tomato' pin cushion that I have marked into sections - each section is labeled according to the different types/sizes of machine needles. When I put a needle into my machine- either a new one or a used one from the pin cushion- I use a pin to mark the corresponding area on the pin cushion. No more guessing what type or size needle size is in my machine! Works for me!

This is my way, too. If a needle has a burr in it, I put them in an old medicine bottle with a cover and toss it when it is full. However, sometimes I will keep a dull needle with no burrs (in a specially marked container) to use to mark paper hexagons with my sewing machine.

lots2do 08-11-2016 04:52 PM

That is a great case! Oh to be that organized. I think I could probably handle the slip of paper idea and maybe the tomato. Mac, I am curious about what you mean by marking paper hexagons.
Thanks, everyone, for responding! I do appreciate it!


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