Reading needle sizes
 

I can't! They're soooo small. With so many machines to choose from I never know what needle I left in. I am wishing for little magnets like they have for the dishwasher "clean/dirty", only I need ones that say "70" "80" 90" "100".

They have writing on them?

Mark, Haha!

And, Mrs.Sewnsew, I have the same problem, just not as many machines as you, ha!

I wish there was something like the knitting needle gauge for telling what size the needle is - - -

You can use the jewelers loupe like a watchmaker if the shaft is marked with needle size. I use inexpensive digital calipers and this chart if not marked.

http://ismacs.net/singer_sewing_mach...izes-1950.html

Jon

PS--Need to measure across eye

That's why I used Singer color coded needles for so many years. I now have a small loupe or magnifying glass to read Schmetz sizes.
A QBer named Ripstitcher made a needle case for machine needles that was charted for different sizes.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...ml#post6945927

She has the pattern on her website http://bionicgearbag.com/coming-soon/

I use +4.0 reading glasses, but it's a problem. A hint at the size is the size of the eye, which is bigger with a bigger needle. An alternative is to always take the needle out and put it back in the appropriate, marked packet. Bit of extra effort, but you'd always know the needle size when you go to use it. I just whip out the 4.0s and read the size if it's not obvious. Problem is that you can't tell what tip it has without a microscope: Is it stretch or universal?

My thoughts exactly. I can't even thread the machine without a magnifying glass............LOL

I understand that Schmetz has started color coding their needles for size and type of point. I haven't bought any yet but looking forward to them as I can't read the #'s on the needles either. I need a bright light and magnifying glass to read them and I still have a lot of older but new needles.

Simple Solution: Have enough machines that you can set each one up with different needle size and point type for all of the needles that you have.......

CD in Oklahoma