"Straw" needles

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11-20-2011, 06:04 AM

#31

efayard

Junior Member

Join Date: Jun 2011

Location: New Orleans area

Posts: 164

Quote:

Originally Posted by efayard

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NOTE: I'm not sure if that is a current our out of date website.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.

11-20-2011, 07:46 AM

#32

quiltingranny

Senior Member

Join Date: Jun 2010

Location: Northeast, PA

Posts: 388

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!

11-20-2011, 09:11 AM

#33

caspharm

Super Member

Join Date: Jan 2011

Location: Nevada

Posts: 6,958

Quote:

Originally Posted by mommessy

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.

11-20-2011, 09:36 AM

#34

Suz

Super Member

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Central PA

Posts: 1,920

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.

11-20-2011, 07:23 PM

#35

sailsablazin

Senior Member

Join Date: Apr 2011

Location: Spring Lake, Michigan

Posts: 978

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.

11-20-2011, 09:12 PM

#36

soccertxi

Super Member

Join Date: May 2010

Posts: 1,658

Quote:

Originally Posted by sailsablazin

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

11-21-2011, 06:21 AM

#37

Quiltgirl26

Junior Member

Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Houston

Posts: 223

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!!

11-26-2011, 05:34 AM

#38

emsgranny

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Jefferson City MO

Posts: 1,236

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

11-26-2011, 05:36 AM

#39

emsgranny

Super Member

Thread Starter

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: Jefferson City MO

Posts: 1,236

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