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From: lendube
Date: 12-07-2006, 11:55 AM (1 of 29)
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Okay, is there a rule regarding when to toss a sewing machine needle?? What I've been doing is using a new needle after each sizable project with regular sewing but it just doesn't seem necessary most of the time. For machine embroidery it's the same but if I start hearing the "popping" sound (seems to me it's a dull needle hitting fabric) I change it then. My dh wonders if needles can be sharpened? He's got wonderfully specific sharpening stones, ceramics, etc. and wondered if it would work. Not that we're too cheap to buy new needles but just out of curiosity?? Also, anyone here get their rotary blades resharpened? A quilt group I attended twice seemed to gather up blades and send them out regularly. Thanks........ Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: MaryW
Date: 12-07-2006, 01:33 PM (2 of 29)
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That popping or thud you hear is a dull needle. I usually don't change my needle until I hear that noise. Just my habit I guess. I have never heard of anyone sharpening sewing machine needles, it would be nice if it could be done. However, there are sharpeners for rotary blades. It is a circular plastic thingie with sandpaper like substance that sharpens blades. Some like them, others say they are a pile of junk. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: PaulineG
Date: 12-07-2006, 03:03 PM (3 of 29)
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I have the same question Lenny - it does seem wasteful sometimes. Also if you have to change between needles a lot I'm not always sure how much use I've given one (or sometimes which one is which).
Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Sancin
Date: 12-07-2006, 03:21 PM (4 of 29)
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Pauline I made myself a little fabric book for used sewing machine needles. The book is made up of cloth pages with a page for each type of needle that I use and the pages labelled with permanent pen. Nothing fancy - held together with a bull dog paper clip. I personally don't identify which one is the newest or oldest but one could write that in. One can tell if a needle is dull or has burrs by pulling the side end of the needle against a cotton ball (fluff?) or even fine fabric and feel for a catch. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: paroper
Date: 12-07-2006, 07:40 PM (5 of 29)
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I wait for the thud or if the needle is snagging my fabric or it breaks. Embroidery is much more stitch intensive. That is why you change needles more often, also with embroidery you are often piercing very dense designs so you need a sharp needle to make a good stitch. About sharpening a needle, not only do you change the point on the needle but you also change its length. Since the stitch is made at the end of the needle, I wouldn't try it. However, there are places where you can get needles dirt cheap. You might want to check some of those out. pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Skye
Date: 12-07-2006, 07:48 PM (6 of 29)
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I asked this question (a few years ago now) of my SM tech and he recommended 7-8 hours of sewing. When I am piecing a quilt I start with a new needle and biff it when I am finsihed on the larger projects the needle does get that dull sound and I change it sooner. When sewing clothing etc I wait for the sound - I do keep a sewing diary to and note when I change my serger needles 'cause I seem to loose track of those babies. Did a whole heap of Xmaas shopping today - I am pooped |
User: Skye
Member since: 09-28-2000 Total posts: 233 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 12-07-2006, 09:26 PM (7 of 29)
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As with my other spend-thrift ways -- I clean my machine and change the needle after every project. With the serger I do it less often but probably more than I need to. Well, I clean it after every project but I don't always change the needles because I have to order them from my dealer. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lendube
Date: 12-07-2006, 09:52 PM (8 of 29)
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Hi and thanks everyone! Good explanation Pam, about the needles. It's not an expense thing, just curiosity. I don't think I'd ever try it but my dh has this thing about sharpeners (collecting and using) and asked me about it.  Sancin, great idea to keep a "book". I have a couple of needles sitting around now and don't for the life of me know what they are. Even with my glasses I can't read the numbers!  Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-07-2006, 10:49 PM (9 of 29)
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One of the instructors in a class I took, said she uses one of the tomato pincushions for storing her needles. So I am using that method too. I have taken a black marker and sectioned off the tomato and marked the types (U for universal, Q for quilting, etc) and sizes (80/12, 90/14, etc.) that I usually use. When I take out a needle I put it in the appropriate section. To mark the type and size that I have in the machine, I put a hat pin (or could use a colour headed pin) in the appropriate section. This is what works for me. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: pretnichols
Date: 12-08-2006, 09:00 AM (10 of 29)
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What an awesome post! I never change my needle unless it breaks! So, of course, I've just learned something new! I have been sewing, almost exclusively, fleece! And I have needles that I have no idea what the number is, can't read them even with glases to save my life, so I'm tossing them and creating a new way of tracking them. There are some great suggestions in here that will work. This way I know I am using the appropriate needle for the fabric that I am sewing. And, just for clarification, my needle usually breaks when I hit a pin accidentally, not because it is old. Sometimes I've broken 2 in a sewing session, but that is rare. Thanks for the tips ladies! Keep them coming..... Peggy
So little time, sew much to do........... |
User: pretnichols
Member since: 10-16-2005 Total posts: 342 |
From: lendube
Date: 12-08-2006, 12:25 PM (11 of 29)
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Judee, What a great idea~the tomato. Another question: I was given a few packs of topstitching needles. I topstitch but never with anything other than regular thread. I can just use these like I would a regular needle can't I? Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-08-2006, 06:45 PM (12 of 29)
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Here is a link to some good info about needles. http://www.allbrands.com/pages/NeedleSelectionGuide.php I rarely do topstitching but topstitching needles are made to help sew with the thicker threads as the eye is larger and the groove is larger to help the thread pass thru the fabric. If you are top stitching something, you could try using two strands of the regular thread with the top stitching needle. This would make the top stitching stand out more. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: Sancin
Date: 12-09-2006, 03:17 AM (13 of 29)
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Judee I used to use a tomato as well, but ran into problem of too many types of needles and not enough writing space and then the usual problem with tomato's - I lost needles in it! Thus I made up the book. I have a drawer to store it in but admit it would be easy to lose on a sewing table top. Good idea about replacing needle with a pin. I do get frustrated writing and losing post- its. I did have a sliding scale attachment for indicating needle inserted in the machine which was excellent, but I managed to break it and haven't replaced it. I originally got it from A Great Notion. Another good site is: http://www.superiorthreads.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=100 Very good information on threads and problems as well. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: paroper
Date: 12-09-2006, 06:06 AM (14 of 29)
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I keep my machine needles and my hand needles in a bulletin board.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: PaulineG
Date: 12-09-2006, 07:11 AM (15 of 29)
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I'm thinking I might incorporate some of these ideas and make myself a book to keep used needles in. If I make it cloth and have a page of cotton, a page of stretch, a page of denim and maybe an embroidery page (have I missed any?) with needle sizes written at the top of the page and each page divided into 3 or 4 squares - little use, moderate use, medium use and nearly dead that would probably help. Of course then I'd have to actually use it. Sounds good in theory though. Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: Sancin
Date: 12-09-2006, 04:32 PM (16 of 29)
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Re little use, etc. I keep using a needle till it dies so I don't have moderate amount of use. I use the dull thud sound as a sign of dull needle, but in fact I usually throw them out before that as I find such things as nests and broken threads the first signs. I always run my finger up and down all sides of the needle before I store it and again when I take it out of my book to check for burrs. It is amazing how one can feel the smallest thing that cannot be seen. Actually I use the same motto one is supposed to with fridges - when in doubt, throw it out. Now if I could only be so meticulous with my fridge! I have thought about storing needles on the bullitain board but as mine are cork, I wondered if the cork may dull them. I also would probably lose them with all the junk I keep on my board! *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: PaulineG
Date: 12-09-2006, 07:05 PM (17 of 29)
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Nancy - What is a nest? Not knowing is a good thing - yeah? Pauline
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User: PaulineG
Member since: 09-08-2006 Total posts: 901 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-09-2006, 07:53 PM (18 of 29)
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A nest is that ugly clump of gnarled thread that you sometimes get underneath your fabric along your seam, usually at the beginning. I have a piece of fine sandpaper rolled up under my sewing machine and I will poke my needles in and out a few times to just give the tip a slight sharpening. I read that somewhere and I'm not sure if it really works or not. I've only done it if I'm running short of a specific type of needle and can't get to the store, and not in a special project either.It's probably best to just replace the needles rather than trying to sharpen them. I also keep an old film canister on my shelf with a hole in the lid for throwing my needles away. I pop the used needle into the cannister through the hole and when its full, it gets taped up and into the garbage. My MIL has the rotary sharpener and loves it. I think I will pick up one next time they go on sale and see how I like it. Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-09-2006, 08:26 PM (19 of 29)
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Judee I used to use a tomato as well, but ran into problem of too many types of needles and not enough writing space Since I am a quilter and don't use a great variety of needles, the tomato works for me. I have E for Embroidery needles, Q for Quilting needles and U for Universal Needles, and M for Metalica needles. Then most of my sizes are 70/10, 80/12, 90/14 and 100/16. I've seen the needle holder with the sliding scale, but I weighed the $12+ price for it vs the $1.59 for my large tomato and the tomato won! 
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: paroper
Date: 12-10-2006, 12:59 PM (20 of 29)
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Yes, Pauline, not knowing IS a good thing (as Pam thinks....but SOME day you will know.....)
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: lendube
Date: 12-10-2006, 01:36 PM (21 of 29)
Which came first?  My dh refers to fishing line tangled up as a nest also.  I like the film cannister idea but with digital cameras the cannisters are quickly becoming a thing of the past.  As for the sandpaper thing; tomatoes usually come with a baby strawberry. That's what the strawberry is for. It's filled with some type of grit for taking off burrs, etc. presumably. Lennie
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User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 12-10-2006, 09:04 PM (22 of 29)
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I like the film cannister idea but with digital cameras the cannisters are quickly becoming a thing of the past I use a tiny Altoids box for old needles and small rotary blades. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Hogmami
Date: 12-10-2006, 10:44 PM (23 of 29)
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I use old pill bottles. And if you are diabete, use the bottle that the strips for your machine come in.
Carolyn
Michigan |
User: Hogmami
Member since: 09-30-2004 Total posts: 800 
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From: paroper
Date: 12-10-2006, 11:17 PM (24 of 29)
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Lennie, it is possible that men were fishing before they thought of clothing...or at least most of the men I know who fish would rather fish than wear of clothing...or eat...or...(well, maybe not or..depends on the age.)
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-10-2006, 11:21 PM (25 of 29)
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I use those plastic tubes that marking pens come in, to keep my used needles from getting lost in the carpet (and then in my feet). A cheap thing to use is tape, any kind thats sticky. Just stick your used needles to that, fold over and throw away. I tend to keep my 'good' needles in their package (plastic box) that way I always know what I'm using and what I need when I run low. I have a tomoato (like everyone..but it keeps hand needles and silk pins in it, just in case...) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 12-11-2006, 10:38 AM (26 of 29)
I use an old Tylenol bottle with a plastic lid. I've used a nail to make a hole in the top and just dropped the needles in. If the bottle happens to fall over ...the needles usually stay in  .
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: lendube
Date: 12-11-2006, 12:43 PM (27 of 29)
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Good ideas, all......... Pam, my dh is such a dyed in the wool fisherman that I doubt anything would come before. He swears up and down that spending time with me does but............  Yep, I can just see some fisherman looking at a tangle of thread and saying, "That's some nest you've got there, dearie." Lennie |
User: lendube
Member since: 08-06-2006 Total posts: 1548 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 12-11-2006, 06:06 PM (28 of 29)
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I use a small piece of cardstock and write the word 'now' on it.. I use Smetz (sp) needles and when I install one in my machine, I place that little piece of cardstock in the holder the needle came from.. Once , I broke a needle and forgot to take the 'now' out , but only once.. I keep only one pack of each type needle in the current use drawer of the desk, the rest are stored in a notions drawer.. That way , I don't get confused about what is currently in the machine, and don't have to waste time to see what is missing if I go a week or so without sewing..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: Dorriebelle
Date: 01-06-2007, 10:19 AM (29 of 29)
I'm also bad for using a needle 'til it breaks. I'm getting better at pulling pins before I sew over 'em, though !  Since most of my sewing's short 'n sweet (mostly doll clothes), it's difficult for me to keep track of how many hours a needle has on it or even what I have in the machine. So I got a small 50c calendar, attached it to the bulletin board behind the sewing machine, and I just have to make the effort to write down when and what kind of new needle went in. I'm keeping a pen clipped to it. Calendar came from Dollar Tree, but you can always print your own if you have a printer. Our printer ink's so expensive, though, it's cheaper to buy one than make one ! |
User: Dorriebelle
Member since: 06-05-2005 Total posts: 15 
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