Needlework tools and accessories are my One Weakness. I like any tool that helps the embroiderer in some way, whether it makes the embroidery process more delightful, or keeps the embroiderer more organized, or dispels confusion.
Needle I.D. Cards fall into a tool of the latter category: they help dispel confusion. And besides that, they’re just nifty little things to have on hand.
Today, I’d like to show them to you. They’re a new product, they’re quite darling, and if you’re good and you read the whole article, I’ll even give you the opportunity to win a set for yourself.
This is a set of Needle I.D. Cards. They’re sturdy, thick plastic-like cards devoted to needles commonly used by the hand stitcher. There are six cards in the set, covering seven types of needles: chenille, milliner, betweens, sharps, tapestry, and English crewel and French crewel embroidery needles.
Each card has the sizes and shape of the that card’s needle illustrated on the front.
On the back is a description of the needle and what it is used for, along with a pleasant little blurb from Needle History.
While the outer edge of each card may seem merely decorative, in fact, it is useful, too. The lower edge of each card is measured off in 10 mm spaces…
… and the upper outer edge is measured off in 1/4″ spaces. The edges are hard and smooth, so they can be used for a small straight-edge in a pinch.
The usefulness of the Needle ID Cards can be especially seen when you apply a needle to them. Here, I have a #7 English crewel needle, and I laid it on the image of the size 7 needle on the English crewel needle ID card. Perfect fit!
Why is this so handy?
Well, here, I have two unidentified needles stuck in a piece of felt. I can tell by their shape and the sharpness of their point that they are chenille needles. If I didn’t already know what a chenille needle is, I could look at the descriptions of the needles and the images until I found one that matched the unidentified needle. I placed the needle on the card, and found a match in size – it’s a 22 chenille needle.
And the second unidentified needle is a size 20 chenille needle. And now both needles are identified!
All six cards fit nice and neatly into this heavy plastic folder…
… which folds up and closes securely over the cards.
The outside of the folder is slightly opaque so that the bright colors of the cards show through.
And… the icing on the cake… the whole pack is just barely larger than a business card! Perfect for stowing in your workbox and easily toting around with your embroidery stuff!
I think these Needle ID Cards are really cute. I know that sounds like a strange word for something that almost seems entirely utilitarian, but the whole little package is compact, well made, colorful, informative, and fun.
And on top of being cute, they’re smart. Fun. Cute. Smart. Neat.
I think they’d be handy for any stitcher. I can see them being useful as an on-hand needle guide in needlework classes, too. But the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw them: Gifts! I immediately thought of these making perfect door prizes for guild parties, or the perfect “little something” to give a stitching friend on a birthday or special occasion.
You can purchase the set of Needle ID Cards from any needlework shop that carries items from Access Commodities. If your local needlework shop doesn’t carry them, they should be able to order them for you – just ask! Online, you can contact Hedgehog Handworks (in California), 3Stitches (in Texas), and other purveyors of fine needlework supplies. If they don’t have them in stock yet, or haven’t heard of them, ask for them!
Needle ID Cards Give-Away
Update Saturday, July 7: The Give-Away is Now Closed. Thanks for participating!
Today, courtesy of Access Commodities, I’m going to go with the “gift” angle, and give four of you the opportunity to win your own little set of Needle ID Cards.
If you’d like to win a set for you (or to give to a stitching friend as the Perfect Little Stitch-Related Something), please read the following give-away guidelines:
1. Leave a comment below. To be eligible, the comment must be left at the end of this article on today’s blog post, on the website. This link will take you directly to the comment form, to help eliminate any confusion about where to leave your comment. Comments left on other blog posts, sent via e-mail, or via reply to the daily newsletter will not be eligible.
2. In your comment, please answer the following question:
What’s your favorite needle-related item among your needlework tools? (Do you have special container, magnet, needle holder, needlebook, piece of felt, etc…? Or if you don’t have a specific tool that’s related to needles, how about telling us what your favorite needles are – brand and type?)
3. Please make sure you leave an identifiable name with your comment, either in the “name” line, or in the comment box. If your name happens to be Charlie, for example, you might want to further identify yourself with your location (Charlie in Poughkeepsie) or something to that effect.
Leave your comment by Saturday, July 7th, by 5:00 am CST (Kansas, USA). I’ll draw for the four winners on Saturday and let you know who they are. Winners will need to contact me with their mailing address, so make sure you check back to see if you’re one of the winners.
Comment away! And remember: your odds of winning this give-away are much better than your odds of winning the lottery.
I’m looking forward to reading your comments!
My current favourite needle related thing is the needlecase I made in your online class ‘The Nesting Place’
I would love to win one of these sets as I was going through my needles yesterday and realised that I had no idea how to identify the size and type of most of them. Especially the ones I bought in multi size/type packs.
My favorite needle accessory is a DMC needle holder which is fan-shaped and a rich dark indigo color. It is cheap and it is plastic, but I still love how it keeps all my needles in my particular order.
Genius! I love these needle ID cards. What a perfectly great idea and so practical, simple and a stroke of genius at the same time.
My favorite needle item is the needlebook I made in the Nesting Place class. it is so wonderful to have a resting spot for my needles. My second favorite needle related item is my emery strawberry!
Thanks Mary! I always learn something new when I read your posts. How do you do it???
Stay cool and Happy 4th!
I think it’s a wonderful tool !
My favorite needlework item is a very special pin cushion that a friend made me while she was going through treatment for cancer. Every time I use it, it reminds me of her.
Your needle cards are a great tool! I have a needle rollup filled with mystery needles, as well as my go to travel tin with a swatch of felt filled with…mystery needles.
My latest organization tool for needle packages are 9 pocket organizer pages from those collector card binders. Allows me to see at a glance which hand and machine needles I have available.
Thank you for the chance to win!
My favourite needle buddy is a little tin about four inches square and two inches high. It has a little project on the go in it, with thread, needle and a small pair of scissors. It fits neatly into my bag and I can do a bit here and there. Many projects have travelled in this tin, many have been finished because they travelled on the go. Time waits for no-one. I make the most of the time I receive, life is a gift, I try to make the most of it.
I keep my needles in my carry case, a small plastic container that holds my stitching supplies. The needle cards stack neatly in one divider. the container has scissors, stitching and paper, glass nail file, laying tools, ruler, tape measure, bandaids, etc.
I have morphed into a pin cushion collector. For my daily us I have an Altoids tin with a cross stitched top.
An ID card would come in handy as I just stick my not-in-use needles into a piece of felt and store them in said tin. So, every time I need a different needle it’s a guessing game as to what I actually have on hand.
I have a darling tiny pincushion, a gift from a friend, that is made on the top of a golf tee. It sits down into the hole of a spool of thread. Charming and clever!
I love all things needles-the history, the types, the manufacture! These needle cards sound like a geart resource.
What a nifty little idea these cards are! Thank you for sharing them in a give away. As for needle-related favorites, I appreciate my homemade needle case. It’s just a photo brag book. Each page contains a piece of felt tied to a card that is labeled with the needle brand, type, and size.
My favorite needle accessory is my needle book, the only problem is that I do tend to just shove needles in when I am done with them, so the needle identifiers would come in really handy and may even inspire me to separate them according to style and size!
G’day Mary,
I’m good, I’m good! The first word in this post is ‘Needlework’ and the last one is ‘comments’. See, I read it ALL!
And, my favourite needle tool is a needle book made from my first bead embroidery project. Something that was out of my comfort zone and that I was particularly pleased with.
Thanks for the blurb on the great cards and also thanks to Access Commodities.
Cheers, Kath from Oz.
My favorite needle related this is a needlecase created from a “silver” cigarette case. The case has been lined with magnets and holds all my needles and a laying tool. Very handy. I would love to receive one of the sets of cards as I have many unidentified needles. I really love stitching with petite needles. I didn’t think I would but I find them a great size for my small fingers.
Hello there,
These are really nifty cards! I love the idea. Specially because I have so many needles hanging out that I just have no idea what they are or what size so I can’t even put them back.
My favorite needle related item is my pin cushion that I made with crushed up walnut shells inside. Helps keep everything sharp and pretty. As for a specific needle I don’t have a favorite type or brand. Maybe as I do more hand stitching I may find a favorite.
Thank you for the opportunity.
I’m so excited! I have just recently added to my To Do list the project of sorting and labeling all my needles! This will be the perfect way for me to do it–and it SO simplifies the process!
I have lots of favorite tools related to stitching. I think I must have an acid chemistry, as I tend to blacken my needles after a lot of use. So one of my most favorite tools is a two-sided metal disk, the center of which holds a mixture of sand? sawdust? chemicals?–I don’t know what all is in there! It is encased in flannel. I draw my needles through it and then over the sides of the flannel, and voila! They are like new.
Thank you for letting us know about Access Commodites–what a wonderful suggestion!!
I hope I win so I can get started right away!!
Cheers,
Anya
What a handy tool! I’ve been wanting to make a needle book for all my needles, and my procrastination may have paid off because I can now make a special place in the needle book I make for this useful “deck”. Thank you!
I love your idea! thank you for all you beautiful, creative work that you share with us on your blog! Smiles
My favourite needle related thing is the needlecase I made myself a few months ago to replace the one I made in my first home ec class about 40 years ago. This one is much prettier, is bigger and has wool felt for the pages. And it was the inspiration to make an entire portable crazy quilting take-along tote with all kinds of matching bits and pieces.
I think these are a brilliant idea, I have lots of needles stuck in pin cushions which could do with identifying.
My favourite sewing related item are the tins I inherited from my mum. One is full of buttons, which I am now using, and the other has bit and pieces in, including a pin cushion I made her as a child
I don’t yet have a favorite needle item. That’s one of the reasons I need these Needle ID cards.
They look just fabulous!
I have lots of needles and pincushions and needlebooks and needlerolls. One of my favorites is a strong magnet that I can attach to canvas as a needlerest.
I’ve been attending several classes lately as well as our guild meetings. We don’t always have a lot of personal space for these events so I need compact tools. I have a small pincusion made out of wood and a felt ball. The wood was hand turned by one of our husband’s members and she made the felt balls for the pincusion part. It is lightweight, small, easy to tote around, and easy to use. And it is cute too!
The best thing I have for my needles, is an old red pincushion that has been with me for 48 years. I have been stitching since I was 12. My grandmother gave it to me! I’m new to your site and am looking forward to sewing, sewing and did I say sewing? LOL!!!
This is such a nifty idea, I’ve got possibly 10 needles that were given to me by my Grandmother and I don’t know what they are, this would be so handy!
My favorite needle-related item is a repurposed metal (fliptop) business card holder that I use to store assorted needles. The holder has a business card size magnet in it.
Your sets of needle identifiers would be perfect for me and would be a great gift for my stitch buddies. I could easily ID all those needles in my repurposed business card holder!
I love the rare earth magnets. It is so handy to keep my needle right with my work in progress.
I recently bought a needlecase from etsy. I wanted a needlecase so badly, but i’m more handy with hand embroidery than i am with the sewing machine. I decided to by a hand made case from a fellow crafter, and i was delighted. My brigtly coloured case goes everywhere with me and i squirrel away my needles in it. I started with one page per type of needle. However they have now mixed themselves up. These cards would be perfect for identifying them!! Thanks for the opportunity to win them Mary
I have needles everywhere! Love the idea of the needle cards. My favorite needles are any from John James Co.
Hugs,
Kathy
My favorite needle accessories are a beautiful felted pincushion (given to me by my husband’s German grandmother) and a leather needle case that her husband handmade for her. Oma’s family owned a fabric and needlework shop in Bad Hersfeld Germany for many years and I was so honored when she passed these treasures on to me. (they are over a hundred years old!) I think the idea of the needle ID cards is fantastic. I really do need help identifying the size and type of all my needles.
My favorite needle accessory is the funky sewing kit that a friend surprised with me out of the blue.
Otherwise my needles are found in the most surprising of places…
I like the larger eye needles, Tapestry needles I think. It always brings me to some of the lovely tapestries I have both in books and museums. I love the idea of including a bit of history of each needle. Excellent idea!
I am working on a tapestry now of my own design. It would be great to have this tool to help keep me organized.
I would love to receive a set.
Oh, Mary, what a neat item! As with most stitchers I have an abundance of mystery needles. Any tool that makes my stitching more fun is my “favorite” and it varies from project to project.
Thanks for the opportunity to win such a neat tool!
Norma
I love the needle cards. I have so many unidentified needles and this would be perfect for sorting them out. I have made many needlebooks, but most are part of a set and are purely decorative. I need to make one that’s practical and has labels. Thanks for the give-away.
My favorite needle related item – is a needle case that was made for me. Our Guild had an exchange and I received the most beautiful needle case that I carry with me at all times.
I would love to win one of these wonderful reference guides for needles – as I am just learning all the different types of needles and what type of stitchery to use them with. As you see I am into Smocking, Brazilian, counted cross stitch, hardanger, pulled threads, blackwork, fine hand stitching and still learning more. – I could really use a great reference guide.
I am afraid I don’t have any favorites. I don’t know enough about hand sewing needles to have one. This is a wonderful prize. Jane in MO
My favorite new needle holder looks like a business card holder and opens like a little book. It is lined with magnets on the inside. I arrange my needles by style and number in a row on each side of the holder. I would love to win these needle ID cards! So helpful!
These are great! I would love to win a set.
My favorite needle work accessory is the arm of my chair. I do my stitching in the same chair most of the time and I use the padded arm of the chair to support my hoop, acting as an extra hand and as a pincushion – a fact I have to apologize to my husband for frequently.
I would love to win a set of the needle cards as I will also admit to not always putting my needles away and now I have a fairly large collection of unidentified needles. It is a genius idea!
My favourite needle item is a small needlebook that I received in a swap. It is made from batiks in dark blues and purples and I use it all the time
My favorite needle related tool is an angel needle minder. I currently keep my needles in in a small box where the holders they are sold in fit perfectly. I have wondered for a long time how stitchers keep their needles identified, this set of needle ID cards is the perfect answer!
Hi Mary, these Needle ID Cards are so great.
I have been working with embroidery for a few years now. I embroider, on hand sewen Teddy Bears that I make from sheeps wool blankets made in the 50′s & 60′s Just this pass winter I made a needle holder book from some ends of the blankets because I could never keep my needles together. These ID Cards would be great to help me know whats what.
Thanks for being the giving person you are.
God Bless.
Mary,
Thanks for the opportunity to once again win another one of you wonderful “gifts”.
My favorite needle holder is a magnet little box that keeps the needles from running around within the little box. I tried many different types of holder but found that I actually have a needle when I need one since I started using this little magnet box. I surely could use the identifier cards since I just put all the needles within the little box to keep them safe and foundable.
Love reading your articles everyday!
They are so cute!! My favorite needle item is a needle book made by a guild that I bought a while back. It keeps my needles very organized. I just love the idea of cards to carry around so I can identify my needles (and I do have lots that seem to just hang around with no names to identify them).
Thank you Mary for this drawing. I just love your site! It has been so helpful to me in my embroidery.
I confess, I do not have a favorite needle related item – yet. The budget has been spent on getting better needles. The last time I was in a needlework shop, I had a list, and got an assortment of needles, including the curved ones. I was amazed at the improvement of stitches when I started working with the John James and Mary Arden chenille needles.
I’m happy and content with needles for now, and guard them carefully, counting and putting them back to make sure none go astray.
My favorite needle accessory is a needlebook that I made from a cross-stitch kit that has 6 felt “pages” for needle storage. It’s small and compact and easy to travel with. It doesn’t have an easy way to identify what the needles are so your kit sounds like a perfect addition!
I have a bone needlecase with a little bunny carved on it. Absolutely beautiful. Love it! Do you know where these cards can be purchased, as the non-winnders will probably want to buy a set?
My needlework case from NAMASTE! I believe they are available on Ebay, although I purchased mine in Florida.
Mary,
Oh, to be able to tell my needles apart. I struggle with this all the time. What a great idea, and thanks for the opportunity.
My favorite stitching tool would have to be the tiny clay pot that says “snippets” on the front. It sits on the table beside my chair, and I use it all the time….for every project.
These cards are a fabulous idea! I use The Needle Index to store some of my needles, but the book is a bit bulky. If I’m trying to quickly identify a needle type and size I have to go through multiple pages to get to where I want. Though I’ll continue to use it for storage, the cards are a better tool for multiple needles on the go!
If I don’t win a set, I’ll just have to go buy one
I have my mother’s little pin cushion. It holds such memories for me. Eight little Chinese dolls, each dressed in brilliant colors, each with outstretched hands encircling the bright tomato-red cushion.
Dating to the 1950′s, the colors have remained wonderfully bright and vivid and there is a reason: although she couldn’t sew on a button, she loved All Things Needle Arts. She had dozens of thimbles, crochet hooks, countless sets of knitting needles, ironing hams, darning balls in stone, wood, porcelain … and one pin cushion.
Once I was old enough to sew on a button, my mother would bring me the sweet pin cushion and a spool of thread … and I’d mend for her. I love that pin cushion.
I think these needle cards are a wonderful idea!
I tend to have lots of needles that I just put in a plastic vial when I’m done and am never sure exactly what size they are….I have to dump them out and play seek-and-ye-shall-find when I’m starting a new project.
I have discovered a favorite type of needle in the past few years – curved needles! They are just wonderful when finishing smalls such as needlebooks, ornaments, pincushions, etc.
Hi Mary,
I do not have a specific way of storing my needles. They all get pushed into a strawberry but this has led me to often wonder what needle I am using since the packaging is long gone! Not very organized I know, but I have never seen anything which I could help to organize my needles . I love this idea, especially the size of it. What a great addition this would make for my working stitching box.
Thanks for introducing it to us. Sandy
Oops! I left my previous comment before reading the entire instructions.
Previously I’ve loved a little blue book that contains similar information as this – types of needles, sizes, etc. with a piece of felt to put that type needle. But it’s a little bulky to keep with my stitching supplies. Other that that, I have a small tine my EGA chapter did for our anniversary year with various tools that match – a small pincushion, a scissors fob, a button waxer, and a few other pieces. I added scissors that match, a needle puller and it is my favorite item to keep where I’m stitching or to grab on the go when I’m taking stitching with me.
My favorite needle related related item is a needle book I made out of needle felted felt. it has a little pocket on the inside that holds a needle threader. I think these cards are a fantastic idea. I try to keep my needles in order, but they always get mixed up!
Wow! what a smart idea. And cute. Fun. smart. neat. lol!
My very favorite needle related item is my extendable magnet wand. When I am stitching away, and my needle gains wings (for reasons of its own – maybe it knows a frog is coming?) the wonderful needle wand allows me to stay in my chair and pick it up! Or find it wherever it rolled. or search behind the chair cushion. Love this tool! I keep it sticking straight out from my light, and hang my thread of the moment on it.
I think these are even better than the Needle Index that you presented earlier in the year. This way I can continue to use my embroidered needle case.
The two most important items for me are a small neck help magnifying glass to help me thread the small eyes which my now not to great eye sight struggle with.
My magnate on on a long holder to find the needles that are hiding or that have fallen which I fail to see but often painfully find.
Oh for the eye sight of my youth !!!
Your needle set sounds wonderful.
This needle case is genius! My favorite needlework tools are the small rare earth magnet buttons that attach right to the work and hold the needle when there’s a pause in stitching.
Love the needle ID cards! I really need things to keep me organized.
My favorite needle-related item is the combination pin cushion/thread catcher that was made for me by a friend.
Oh, you won’t believe this! My project for today is to go through all my loose needles and match them against the pictures in A-Z of Embroidery 2 so I can figure out which is which.
I would love to have these needle cards! Just think – I would be able to figure out what all those needles in variety packs are!
I don’t have a favorite needle or needle-related thing. But I love when I have a well-made needle that is just the right style and size for the job. Working with quality tools is always part of the pleasure of doing needle work.
I love my magnetic needlminder that I put in the upper right corner of my needle work ( I use a scroll frame or slate frame )
Love John James needles.
I have an old quilt scrap that I use for my needles. It’s time I trade up to something like the ID cards!
My favorite needle tool is a toss up between a decorative magnet that I keep with my stitching and a magnetic wand that I can use to snatch my needle if I drop it. Both have saved me many a headache when the fingers get clumsy and the needle I’m using drops out of my hand. I love, love, love new needlework toys and would appreciate another stitchery tool.
I love this idea! I will be buyig some as gifts even if I do win. My favorite embroidery tidbit is split between the very decorative magnet I can park my needles on while stitching, and an embroidered needlebook I made with Elizabethan embroidery. I have numbered the pages so I can try to keep track of which needles I am using. The guide will be spectacular since I always ed up with the odd needle that I have forgotten the size of.
Since I do dressmaking I have made myself a wrist-needle cushion. There was this craze here in Denmark a couple of years ago for kids to wear these snap on bracelets with cartoon characters printed on. The nifty thing is that these bracelets could be straightened to a stiff ruler like thing and then when bent a little curled into a circle. I stole one from my nephew, once he was no longer interested in it. Covered the band with fabric. Made a needle cushion out of the same fabric, stuffed it with tow, and stitched it on. When it is on my wrist, it sits securely and when I want it on the table I straighten out the band it stays where i want it.
That is my favorite needle accessory
Tania
Right now I use a Tidy Tote to keep close at hand all the tools I need while stitching. I don’t think this particular brand is available anymore, but it is a pattern for a pincusion/ort bag/magnet strip combo that you make yourself. I’m on my second one, having worn out the first, and this time I added more magnets and use those to hold my needles. But they are not sorted by type or size and this handy little gadget would do that and looks compact enough to keep handy without being in the way.
What a nice offer, I do sometimes struggle to identify a needle and size. My favorite item is a carved box I keep my needles and some accessories in. I also keep an assortment of needle threaders and am always looking for new ones. Thanks again for all you share.
Hello,
)
My favorite two needle items are my tomato pin cushion and the magnet needle holder. They help prevent me from losing my needles, but I would like a way to keep them better organized!
My favorite needle-related thing is the magnetic “M” needle minder that I bought a few years ago. I have it on my biggest current project and it always makes me happy to work on that project, so using the needle minder reminds me of happy times.
My favourite is definitely the little strawberry pincushion with emery powder inside, which keeps my needles clean and shining.
I just love those needle ID cards. My favorite
needle related item is a pincushion that one of the ladies who quilt at church made for me.
Thanks for the chance to win!
What a neat idea! I use a piece of felt for storing my needles – works great till I need a specific one – then I usually leave my “felted” ones and go get a new one that is still in the original container – that way I know the size! I’m a newbie to stitching and just love your site – you are so generous to share your tremendous talent! Thanks so much, Carolyn
My favorite needles are John James needles from England.
Oh those needle cards will be very welcome here!
I’m still a novice with lots of different needles that I can hardly tell apart, so this is a very good idea:-)
I just made a small Portuguese embroidery and the faboulous Milliners needles (Whitecroft) made it a breeze to make all the bullion knots, so those needles are my favorite now:-)
My favorite needle related tool has to be my magnetic needle rest. I have no idea how I got along without one for so many years!
It attaches to my project with a strong magnate and looks like a pretty silver button. When the phone rings or I need to get up for some reason. I can simply stop what I am doing. Drop my needle on the rest and do what I need to do. No more securing the needle to the selvage edge of my project wearing little holes along it. No more sticking my needle in my shirt so I don’t lose it while pulling more thread off the skein or doing that “Darn, where did I set my needle” hunt. It is right there, looks pretty and keeps my needles in a set place.
I couldn’t stitch without my needle threaders, but I also love the simple silver colored extra strong magnets for holding needles onto my projects. They’re even strong enough to hold my metal laying tool until I need it!
The needle ID cards are a great idea. My needles could definitely use a good sorting.
What a fun, cute, smart and neat tool.
I never had a needle book until I made myself one very recently. At the moment that is my favourite needle related thing. It has a little pocket on the inside cover and I think the needle id cards would fit perfectly. How neat would that be.
Many thanks to you and Access Commodities for this give-away
Hi Mary. My favourite needlework tool is a pair of scissors with a clip and stretchy cord attached. It helps me keep track of my scissors when I’m stitching. I have plans to make a needle book with a crazy quilt cover and I think a set of these needle identifiers would make a most welcome addition. Grovenore
I love these needle id cards! Thanks for the chance to win one. My favorite right now are handmade pin cushions that friends have made for me.
What a great idea!
I store my needles in anembroidered needle book with felt pages. I found very difficult to distinguish between the different sizes.
My preferred brand is Bohin.
“Well, here, I have two unidentified needles stuck in a piece of felt”
That’s exactly it! I never know what kind of needle I’m grabbing, as long as it works. Then if I need to buy a new pack, I’m not sure what to buy. These ID cards would be so handy for that! So I can’t tell you which needles are my favorites because I never really know what they are. But for hand sewing (patchwork) I love the quilting and applique needles I purchase from Jean S. Lyle in Illinois. Otherwise my favorite tool is probably the short, squatty screw driver I stole from my husband so that I could tighten my embroidery hoop.
Debbie in South Bend
My fave is a needle keeper I made that has a felt “page” for the needles I normally use. I labeled each page so my desired needle is very easy to find.
I love John James Petite needles. I use 26 and 28 the most. I also love Bohin #26 and #28. I think the Bohin is a little nicer going through the fabric, but I love the petite needles, so I switch depending on what I am stitching.
I have lots of magnets that I like to use and I have a couple of needlebooks I made and I have a needlesafe that I use when I travel.
I love gadgets, it makes stitching even more fun. In my circle of stitching friends they have given me the name “gadget gal”. I am honored.
Love your Needle ID Cards, how very fun and useful it would be to have this.
Thank you for a chance to win this great prize. Just think, I could organize all those loose needles I have ….lots of them!!!
Judy in Kansas
starkey_judy@yahoo.com
I use my strawberry emory frequently. I like the feel of a smooth clean needle and it seems to help maintain correct thread tension.
My favorite tool for my needle sits on the arm of my stitching sofa. It’s an armchair caddy from the Smocking Arts Guild of America 1990 national convention in NJ. It has many needles poked into it, and I can usually find one to suit the project I’m working on at the time. I keep a pair of scissors and a nail file on one side and a ruler on the other, so I’m set for most projects. Of course, the armchair caddy doesn’t catch all my needles. The threaded ones often wind up in the arm of the chair itself! My hubby knows not to sit here, he’s been stuck by a random needle before!
I think it is an ingenious idea because oonce you take that needle out of the packet it is not always possible to remember exactly what it is. I did, after some hunting around, find the needle book which you did a blog on some time ago which is very good but not quite so neat as these small cards which you could carry around so easily for quick identification. I am also a tools addict so it would be a wonderful thing to have in my stitching box. Many thanks for always sharing all these amazing finds!
Mary – my favorite needle-related item is a pair of Bohin needles I have
waiting for the strawberry embroidery class! I just recently learned
about Bohin needles by reading your great blog. These little needle
cases would be a perfect storage place for these two needles and any
others I might add to the collection!
Thankyou for all of the information, inspiration, and opportunities!
Christie
I have a needlecase made from an ugly commercial potholder with the hanging loop in the middle of a side instead of at the corner. First I added 2 squares of real wool felt to the backside of the potholder. Stitched them through the middle so I had 4 “pages”. I sewed a shank button on the opposite side from the loop so I could fold the potholder in half enclosing the pages with my needles. Still hated the outside so covered it with a crazy quilt block. The final refinement, I printed the words, chenille, embroidery, quilting, and applique on muslin using the computer. I used a scalloping pinking scissors and cut out the muslin words. I attached them to the appropriate pages and sorted the needles in those categories. It’s soft, not to large, and big enough to also hold an embroidery scissors and thimble when closed up.
Oh wow, that looks awesomely useful. I currently use a felt needlebook with a tree on it that I made myself – the book itself is a bit dodgy, but I’m pleased with how the tree came out.
My current favorite is a needlecase that was a birthday gift from my mom. It’s just your basic needlecase, but its made with Newfoundland tartan fabric, and of course I’m from Newfoundland. She didn’t make it though, but it is handmade, bought at her local craft store.
-Zombie Leah
My favorite needle case is a sterling silver case with Morning Glories on it. It will be perfect attached to my chatelaine. The needlecase I use most often is one I made 20 years ago. It is a Jacob’s Ladder that can be opened on either side. Very clever design!
I would love a set of these Needle ID cards because all my needlecases are full of “mystery needles” and I have to guess which is the correct one for my latest project.
My favorite needles are 20 – 24 tapestry needles as I am a canvas worker. My favorite tool are the super magnets about the size of a sequin. I have them on everything. They are especially on the inside lid of a gingher box. They really corral all those stray metal objects; needles, tekobari, charms, and scissors.
Yes, dispel confusion, please. My favourite needle accessory is my acorn needlebook. It is, however, delightfully ornamental, and I’ve been contemplating ways to customize for separating needles for function and size. Hmm, I think we’re there. Once again, thanks for the idea!
What a great idea, I have so many needles that are not organized and this would be the answer to the problem. My favourited needle keep is a cute magnetic chicken, he sits on my side table and is ideal when I drop the pins.
My favorite needle-related item is the felt needlebook I made to keep them in!
My favorite needle related tool is the telescoping magnetic wand I use to retrieve stray needles. It is especially useful when one disappears when I’m stitching while sitting on the couch.
My 2 fav needle tools are my needle holders — an antique silver screw top cylinder for tapestry 18 & 20 needles & a brass magnetic card holder for 22s & 24s. the current brand of choice is Bohin — seems to be smoother polished eyes.
What a wonderful accessory! I am new to stitching, and always have questions about the different needle types. I also have quite a few unidentified needles…
My favorite item is a beautiful bargello pin cushion (which of course also holds needles) that a friend stitched for me as a birthday gift a couple of years ago.
I have many tools I use, but my favourite set is not one I bought – but one that was made for me by my daughter – a needle book decorated with cats,a cat-shaped pin cushion ,and a scissors holder with a cat paw – I am obviously a cat person! the needle book pages have the names of all my cat companions from over the years embroidered on the pages. this prize would be a welcome addition to my needlework basket!
Elizabeth from Saskatoon
Oh wow Mary!!! What a brilliant idea these Needle I D cards are!!! My favourite needle related item is my treasured needle book. It was one of the first articles I embroidered free style. It has eight pages and each page has a piece of ribbon stitched to it with the name of the needle supposed to be stored there. I must admit, I have quite a few needles on a pincushion, waiting to be identified and being sent home to their page in the needle book. The Id Cards would be really helpful.
I do not currently have a favorite needle related item, but if I had a set of these cards, they would absolutely be my favorite. As a relative newcomer to the world of needle art, you have no idea how confusing needles are–when to use which and for what. It becomes even more confusing when you go into a local needlework shop (as I did) asking for chenille needles and are told they have never heard of them. I asked the sales girl if she had looked them up on the Internet (in case they went by another name) and she replied that she had tried, but had no luck finding anything. When I returned home without any needles, I looked them up on the Internet myself with no difficulty. Apparently, the sales clerk did not know how to spell chenille. I would absolutely love to have a set of these cards.
I love the needle cards! I have a container with about 15 unidentified needles.
My favorite needle-related tool is a Telescopic Magnetic Pick-Up Tool because I am always dropping pins and needles. This tool expands from 6 inches to 25 inches and the magnet is strong enough ferret out the needle on bare floor or rug. It will even discover my scissors when I drop them into a corner of the sofa!
Mary,
I have lots of favorite needlework tools, but right now my most favorite is a strawberry emery that I just completed (thanks to a kit from BirdBrain.com). It has a little loop at the top that allows me to let it dangle from my embroidery stand; can’t be more convenient than that! And I love that I made the tool myself!
-Sharon in France
They ARE cute! And useful too. My favorite sewing items that I’ve been in love with lately are a couple of things I’ve made from on-line tutorials. The Primitive Gatherings thread catcher is awesome–squishes down to nothing in my sewing bag. The thumb pin cushion from Ink Lingo is perfect while doing English Paper Piecing to “park” the little pin used to keep the paper in place. I also love Jeanna Kimball needles as they are long and easier for me to handle due to arthritis in my hands.
Karen in Breezy Point
These are great little items! I use, primarily, Bohin needles 28, 26 & 24. My favorite needle related item in my stitch case is my needle minder and my earth magnets!
I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will win these little needle cases! They look perfect!
Nancy Mc
What cute Cards Mary I have a book called The Needle Index for sharps,Blunts & Betweens its about 4inches by 5 1/2 inches. It has come in handy for me as the little cards it has all the sizes in it like most of the Needle Books but I find that even though of the size it’s not a thing I carry to class but the little Cards could travel with you even in your purse what a neat idea. Thanks for the opportunity to win these..Only Mary would find theses neat little Gadgets’
Have a great 4th of July everyone. We had a great Canada day. Its your turn now.
I’ve come to like a needle from Japan very much. The reason? It’s perfect for temari. Unlike the darning needles found in the US and Europe, the hole is large and unburred. This means my metallic or rayon thread doesn’t shred in it at all and it goes through the ball’s material wonderfully. For other kinds of needlework, I tend to favor the Bohin brand. They just feel better in my hand.
My favorite needle accessories are wooden tubes for storage and my strawberry emery. I have one that is my all time favorite that was carved in eastern Europe. These items have proved invaluable in keeping my needles at the ready. Your needle cards look to be the perfect items for sizing up those needles when they sometimes get mixed up. I’d love to win them!
Dear Mary
I would love to win one of these lovely Needle ID Cards. My favourite needle related item is a heart shaped green and red poka-dot pin cushion which my Niece made me for Christmas. It sits beside me as I sew and when it is pressed a spray of Lavender potpourri hidden inside hits you mmmmmmmmmm heaven! there are lots of needles in the pin cushion that need identifying and put back in their rightful needle packets, so your giveaway would certainly help me.
My favourite needles are definitely Bohin, they are so smooth, thin and when you sew through the fabric they are like silk.
Thank you so much Mary for this lovely giveaway you are so generous.
Regards Anita Simmance
My favorite needle at present is probably a milliner’s needle. I didn’t realize how much difference they could make with respect to bullion knots. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. And bullion knots are so fine and dandy. Thank you so much Mary for all of your wonderful counsel and advice.
Shelia in Oklahoma
The tool I use all the time is a needle book I made from instructions I found in a magazine. The instructions called for a vintage linen napkin. I can’t believe I actually had one in my stash! So I made the needle book and I love it. I don’t have any idea what kind of needles I have stashed in it, however. So the needle cards would be wonderful to have. Thanks for the opportunity.
Thanks for all your embroidery instructions, too.
I have recently gotten hooked on embroidery, especially crewel, and am purchasing all sorts of things related to embroidery (I’m as much a collector as a stitcher!). I was thinking of making myself a cute little old-fashioned needle case (embroidered of course) to hold my needles but these cards are even better! I have different types of needles but not any of the really “good” ones yet. I did, however take your advice and order myself good hoops and even wrapped them with cotton twill tape. I’m learning so much from your daily posts as well as past posts. It seems whenever I Google something embroidery related a post of yours pops up and it’s usually just what I was looking for! So, thank you!!
I love the cute needle holders. So versatile in having the measurements right on the card.
I must say I do not know what type of needle I use but I like a med. thin, needle with a good size eye. I seem to use the same type of one over and over..right now, my needles are in a magnetized needle case that I have had since 1980′s. I also liked the little bit of history. Did not know Leonard Da Vinci invented the sewing machine from what little bit I could read. I would love to win these!!! Sherry
My favorite tool is actually one I made. I bought a pouch purse in Mexico that I liked because of the hand embroidery on it. It is woven wool. I realized I would never use it as a bag and it was too small to make a cushion, so I stitched it closed, folded it in half and made a needlebook out of it. I would love this give away because after I put all of my needles in the lovely book I made, I realized I no longer knew what each needle was! LOL. Alessandra in CT
Hello Mary,
Never seen this ID needle and I think it is a great idea. That save a lot of time!! Although I consider having a good sight, threading a needle at night is not an easy task. Here is the time when my favorite needle tool shows up: a magnifier. Actually it is one I inherited from my mother. Again, thank for this wonderful website.
Salvador
This is a GREAT idea~! Currently my needles are shamefully unorganized and I’ve just been grabbing whatever one I find first to work on a project.
I just finished reorganizing my beads and their tools, I really need to do the same for my embroidery habit now.
Thanks for this chance to win a great item.
I don’t really have a favorite needle or tool. I use whatever needle I have at hand, and have bunches of them stuck in pieces of felt. So I know that this little set of cards would help me identify all of them and put them in needlecases. I do want to make several needlecases, one for each type of needle, with space to organize them by size.
Sure enjoy your blog!! Thanks for the giveaway. Sandi
What a clever idea! Solving the problem of mystery needles everywhere.
Hard to say my favorite tool, but I do enjoy a pair of folding scissors much like these: http://www.lg-outdoors.com/proddetail.asp?prod=MS_ETFLDSCISSOR
because I can slip them into my purse and not worry about anything getting perforated.
Mijn favorite naalden zijn: Milliners Needles van John James. size 5/10.
Wat zou ik graag de naald ID kaarten willen winnen, het klinkt als muziek in mijn oren.
Vriendelijke groet,
Maria Mulder from
The Netherlands.
Hi – My favorite needle related item is a piece of felt about 3 x 5 inches on which I store my millinery needles and other misc needles I use often. I do a lot of Brazilian dimensional embroidery and I marked the felt with 1, 3,5, and 7 to mark where I store those size needles. Well, this doesn’t always work as I just stick them in when I’m in a hurry and then I have to look through them. Then I sometimes use crewel, tapestry, darners, etc. and place them on the other side of the felt. And before you know it I have a mess. But, that little piece of felt is my favorite because it is so convenient. No big bulky needlebooks. So, I would love to win the needle identification cards. I need them!
Thanks again.
Judy
My favorite needlework accessory is Teegan, the cat which sits on my lap and keeps me company while I stitch away. I’m also rather fond of my special Ginger embroidery scissors with the very special scissor fob in the shape of a sheep.
Mary C. in Vancouver, WA (not BC)
I love needle minders! My very favourite one was made for me by my best friend. It is a brass owl. (He reminds me it is wise to put your needle in a safe place!) I have a few commercial minders, but I love handmade ones. I have a couple that were made from old costume jewelry. A solo rhinestone earring finds a beautiful new purpose when a magnet goes on the back. I have a metal bodied English desk lamp at my bedside and I park my minders on it. I like to use minders that somehow coordinate with my project. Right now, my owl is sitting in a needlpointed tree, waiting for me to finish the rest of my picture.
I keep my favorite needles in a little box I got in Munich, Germany. So my needles and my memories of a wonderful trip are together!
I wish there was a place to buy a variety of different needle brands. The nearest craft store is almost an hour’s drive and they carry DMC products. The quality of these has lessened over the years.
Your needles card would bring order to my collection.
Favorite needle tool? Self-stick Velcro dots, must have them. Stick onto stitching frame to park needles, threaded and unthreaded. Otherwise, chaos.
Hi Mary, my favorite needlework item is a little fabric container my Mum made me for my tools. It is just a small (4 x 6 ) bag with a flat bottom and two elastic pockets and has a place for needles and a pin cushion. It is amazing how much it holds and I take it everywhere with me. I get many compliments on it. I would love to win Needle ID cards as they would fit in perfectly. Thanks, Jeanette
The ONLY accessory to have for pins and needles is a magnet….several magnets! I try to never put down a needle or pin on anything but a magnet. My husband used to laugh at me as I’d be frantically searching for a needle that dropped….UNTIL HE sat on the sofa and found it the hard way. I thanked him for finding it, but it didn’t take the pain away! I have a magnetic box for needles, a magnet on any project in my stretcher bars, a jar with a magnet surrounding the opening in the lid (so if the jar tips over, the magnet keeps the pins in the jar). I stuck a magnetic strip to the side of my sewing machine to collect pins and needles! I always have a small magnet in my purse as well. Until this newsletter today, I didn’t realize how much I use magnets…as much as I use needles!!!!
And by the way, YOUR tidy system of storing needles is awesome. I’d not seen anything like this before! I do have a needlebook that had been put out by one of the EGA groups, but after use, the holes in the pages will wear out the book!
my favorite needle accessory is a small plastic tube, with a lid and a bit of magnet on the back
the magnet keeps the needles inside, even with the lid off, so no worries about spills!
This are amaszing, I don’t have any sort of needle ID tool and this would be perfect. Thanks for sharing this!!
I love all kinds of gadgets, too — I always check those out first in a needlework store before I look at the rest of the things. If I had to name a ~favorite~ it would have to say the Star DeTailer, used to get threads to the front or back of the fabric and to weave in ends of threads. I always have one close at hand.
Cute needle cards! I am a sucker for needle books. I have the Needle Index, put out by the EGA’s Valley Quail chapter, and I’ve made several. My most recent is the Hari-Kuyo needle book taught by Susan Elliott of Plays With Needles as an ecourse. It is beautiful! Especially useful is that each of the colorfully dyed felt pages is labeled with a type of needle. Being associated with hair-kuyo, the book has a special felt piece for holding broken needles until the festival during which they are retired with honor. See it here: http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2012/02/hari-kuyo-laying-our-needles-to-rest.html
My favorite needle accessory is a wool needle book I won as a door prize at a quilting event. It is made of deep purple wool and has a rust colored maple leaf embroidered on the front. It is a darling size and so useful that I can’t imagine why I did not use one before this. As I am always wondering what size and type of needle is in my needle book, your cards would be well appreciated. Thanks for the opportunity!
I do indeed have a special container for my needles. It’s a desk drawer. All of my needles get tossed into the drawer and I couldn’t tell you what’s what anymore. The only obvious ones are the tapestry needles because they have the blunt tip and large eyes. Boy…do I need help or what? I am making a needlebook which will help some but I am salivating over these cards. Wow, what a wonderful idea! ….
Brenda, Wilmington, Ohio
What a handy little item. I have needles everywhere — mostly because I love to collect vintage pin cushions, needlecases, and needlebooks. And then I like to make pin cushions and needlebooks. And then I like to buy every new needle organization system that I see. And then I have little felt pieces with the needles from every class I have taken. Someday I will organize them all and it would be great to win a set of cards to help. As for my favorite needle, if I could have only one (heaven forbid), I would choose a #8 Crewel.
I love needle books. I have them for many projects. This would be great to win because I have more unidentified needles than I can say!! I could go a classification binge!
What a wonderful tool for needle workers. As a young girl I watched my grandmother do her hand work, and followed in her footsteps in always having some type of hand work to do. Your site has enabled me to learn and purchase wonderful books. As I reach retirement, I’m find more time to brushup on my needle skills. My favorite tool or needle companion is one of my grandmothers pincushions, although worm and very well used, it’s a wonderful reminder of her.
Your needle cases are “cute”‘ and would make a delightful addition to any needle workers tools!
I collect vintage and antique needles and I have some really small ones made in England that remind me of Japanese needles. These little needles and the Japanese ones are my favorite. But I also have hundreds of unidentifiable needles that need help in finding a category to rest in. These little cards would be wonderful.
My favorite needle work “tool” isn’t even for needlework! It’s actually a “tool” for holding nails and is called a magnetic wrist band! My hubby bought one for me and I use it ALL the time for hand and machine work. It holds my pins and needles securely so I always know where they are! I just love this tool and it was under $3! Can’t beat that! They are sold at Harbor Freight and I’m sure other hardware stores. My hubby also bought me really small forceps at Harbor Freight too! I use these for pulling heavy threads through fabric and even my beading! Whenever hubby says he’s going to HF I always say “I’ll go with you!”…you never know what you’ll find for our craft! p.s. I have no affiliation with HF!
Hi, Mary,
Long time no write, but I read your e-mails daily–a great source of your inimitable knowledge of anything needlework related and a thoroughly enjoyable read every time.
These Needle ID Cards are irresistible. I have my mother’s pincushion and a little felt book I bought from a California guild a while back. However, I somehow end up misplacing my needles and forever afraid that one of my cats may end up playing with them!
I would love to win these cards. They are quite a find (one of the many things at which you are great), and they look to be quite practical as well as attractive.
Thank you for all you do and for this opportunity. I restrain from participating most of the time, but today I just could not resist your offer.
Blessings,
DorisHH
I love my felt piece labeled with needle sizes that holds on the top of my magnetic tool case. I alway have a set of each size needles. Of cource the rest of the needles live in a large pencil box in the original cases before being move up to the felt.
This is just thei thing I have been looking for. I have numerous needles that I am unsure of the size. I would like to find out where I could buy a set if I am not lucky enough to win one.
My favorite needle nesting place is a big magnet and a small paper mâché box that was given to me from Russia. My needles fit perfectly.
Love those milliners for needle turn applique. I’m learning so much now in the embroidery world with your wonderful help. Sometime Mary could you go over with us newbies about the care of handwork needles, keeping them sharp, when/if to discard them, storage, etc. Would be so thankful as our souls are fed with Mary, needle and thread!
I have inherited a whole sewing room and the needle packs have finally all been contained in a ziplock! Not very fancy, but at least they are all together
I love your site, tips and much more. Thank you. My favorite needle-related item is my thimble with a magnet on the end. How is that needle related? I use it constantly to pick up dropped needles, to sew with of course, and to park my needle on in between working. I have stiffened fingers with arthritis and this thimble helps me with all the various needles I use. I have many other thimbles but this John James one with the magnet works great for me.
I would be at a complete loss without my needle threader. Have you seen how little some of those eyes can get?
My favourite needlework item is a small Australian cross stitch needlecase with one felt page in it. It was made by my daughter some 20 years ago and it goes wherever I go. At last count I had 43 needles in – betweens, tapesty, chenille, beading, milliners and others too. I would like to win a set of needle identifying cards because it would be a very useful tool to have with my needlebook on days when I just can’t work out what size needle I am looking at. Thanks for the chance to enter the competition.
This is a great idea..and the markings on the bottom of the card are perfect..this is great to have in my embroidery box ( I have two..one I keep in the car with a project in case I get stuck somewhere, the other I keep on my coffee table with a project so if I am sitting watching a TV I can occupy my hands.) THANKS for sharing.
Patt
hi, my name is olga, my favourite needles are szie 28 piecemakers, but i do use other needles too. i would luv a chance to win the needle idcard, its a great thing to have in any stitchers stash. my favourite needle item i have is a violin case wich holds an antique scissor, thimble and a little packet of needles, all held inside a violin leather case thats about 5inches in length, something i bought recently and treasure very much. i enjoy your newsletters.
luv from olga. (uk)
The first year I joined by local embroiderers guild group in Glasgow Scotland, I purchased a needlecase at the annual sale. Its quite workaday, substantial, made of furnishing fabric with a litle embroidery and beads on the front, using a green flecked tweed for the pages.
I was using it for a class some time ago and a senior lady stopped by my table and picked it up. It turns out she had been the maker all those years before – she was as delighted to find it still in use as I am to own it!
My favorite needle related tools have to be the needles themselves. I love John James needles and most often grab a size 10 embroidery needle. The Needle ID cards would be perfect for me because I have a tendency to park needles I don’t use often in felt…and then it takes forever to figure out the size and type when I need to use one of them.
Celeste in CA
You won’t believe it but my favorite needlework tool is a thimble. It took a lot of effort but I learned to use one while working at a designer’s workroom. Now it is second nature. I also love good needles and have many stuck in papers, felt etc. I would LOVE to have the set of cards. Thank you.
I have a pin cushion with a lot of unidentified sewing and embroidery needles. The only ones I keep separate are the needles for my Brazilian Dem.Embroidery needles because there are so many different types for the so many different threads and those I keep in a flannel book identifing each page by thread type.
Most of my hand embroidery needles are Boyle or Dritz from Joann’s or Walmart.
I really do like the idea of those needle cards. Another must have tool.
My favorite needle-related item would be a thimble that my husband purchased for me because he overheard me muttering how beautiful it was. I really don’t think he’s done anything like that before. Oh wait, we weren’t married then. Just dating. So that explains everything. Anyways, it is one of my cherished items.
I want to tell you when I read your blog – which I just found a month or so ago – I felt like I’ve found a special friend. I rediscovered embroidery several years ago and I’m so happy I did. I taught myself when I was a young girl and couldn’t understand that my friends didn’t find the same enjoyment I had with a needle in hand and a box full of color. Thank you for sharing all you have.
Mary,
Would there be any way that Access Commodities would be willing to sell these needle i.d. cards to your audience?
Wendi
I have several needles that I need to sort out – I am not so good about putting them back after I finish a project, so they just sit unsorted in a magnetic needle case!
My favorite needle related tool are the needle magnets I use to keep the extra needles I am using on my canvas as I am stitching or when I am done for the day.
My favorite needle-related item is a needle-threader. I use Appleton crewel threads and I need a needle threader constantly. I am always looking for new and different needle threaders and I have preferences as to the shape and usefulness of each one.
My favorite tool is my needle patch. It is a long rectangle made of two pieces of felt, a rich purple and a muted green, using a color combination I had often seen in nature. It is sewn together in a fine running stitch. This was a necessity so that I could see all my needles at a glance. I have many needles. Only afterward did I realize I didn’t know what kind each was. Needle cards would be a perfect addition to my sewing basket
Theresa from Alpine, TX
My favorite needle related accessory is my needle magnet to hold my needles on my piece.
These ID Cards are fabulous. Can you tell us where we can buy them?
Dawn in Texas
Dear Mary,
How exciting!!
I can tell you as of right now my favorite needle related tool is going to be your amazing, convenient needle I.D. cards. This is my biggest problem when stitching! It is so hard to figure out (for me) what size needle is what! I can’t wait to own these cards so that I can take the guess work and time on spend trying to identify my needles and stitch instead. Thank you so much, once again!
A needle threader….I depend on it if I don’t want to spend 15 minutes trying to thread my needle. These cards sound neat! I have lots of needles on felt I could finally match up.
Among all the various pincushions,needle safes and felt paged needle books that I have accumulated I find myself using the little blue magnets I bought many years ago. They stick to my old metal armed dazor and are always ready to hold the needle I am using.
My favorite brand is the Piecemakers needles because of their large easy thread eyes.
Hi Mary,
My favorite needle related stitching item is a needle case I made as a Guild canvas work project several years ago. I have managed to separate my needles into only 2 or 3 categories.The needle cards are a great idea and I’d love to win a set. Failing that I’ll have to buy a set!
I have one lone needle that I use for all my embroidery that I call affectionately “Old Reliable”. I have no clue what type of needle it is, I can’t even remember how I acquired it. All I know is if I ever lose that needle I’m done for.
What would I do without my favorite magnet needle minder that has a monogrammed “G” on it with a cute little harp playing fairy??? I am “alway” dropping my needles and sad to say…stepped on one that went into my foot…ouch…so I adore the fact that it keeps my needles in one spot and not in anyones foot…Love the needle pack and so happy that someone had the fore-thought to think of something so brilliant!
Hi Mary,
Right now my favorite is a needle case I made from wool. The inside pages are wool felt that I wrote on the size of each needle. But a nifty needle case with all the bells and whistles would be even better. The needles I enjoy using are John James and Richard Hemmings. They seem smooth and easy to handle.
Have a great 4th!
my favorite needle case are tow antiques cases one wooden and one glass that were birthday presents from a dear friend that will hold my gold english needles. also have a english paper case from the 1880′s with the needles still in it.
I currently use a piece of linen where I have pinned all my needles. I have plans in the future to make a pretty needlecase to sort and hold my needles. The needle I.D. cards are a great idea!
My favorite needle is the John James needle. I find them to have less ‘grit’ in the inside of the eye to cause damage to the thread. They last a very long time. Until last year, my favorites were petites. However, after a bout with carpal tunnel issues and arthritis, I find that the regular length feels better.
I have a bulky book put together by an EGA chapter for sorting out needles, but these handy little cards would make it a lot easier to do the sorting.
Thanks for offering these.
I must admit, I haven’t paid that much attention to my needles – but I plan to from now on after reading your post!
My favorite tool is my Hardwick Manor embroidery hoop. With the inner circle wrapped, I can make it tight as a drum.
I’ve tried to make myself a little cloth needle roll with the sizes marked. I spent hours online looking for pictures of needles that are life sized. These needle ID cards would be wonderful!! I could finally be sure of my needle sizes. What a fantastic giveaway.
My most favorite needles are John James tapestry petites. I use them for haedanger and cross stitch mainly. For Redwork I prefer SCARLETT TODAY. I also have a “magnetic” whale that I got in Alaska.
I was just thinking yesterday that I wished I had something like this! But the other thing is that I just got a few months ago is a little flat box with a lid that had a magnet in it to keep the needles for when I am going somewhere!
I have a small collection of embrodiered felt needlecases made by my Mother and Grandmother, two of which are shaped as bonneted little girls and I adore them. Grandma’s is very faded which adds to its charm. On inheriting my Grandmother’s sewing box I found a felt square needlecase I had made her when I was a child which she’d used all those years! As for needles, having two talented needleworkers in the family I have never bought any for myself and I am now custodian of the family stock! Downside to this is I never know what is what and I am probably using all the wrong sizes but at least I know they are all good, well made needles and some must be nearly 100 years old.
Needle related favourite thing? Hmmm. I just made an embroidery/sewing kit that has a needlebook in it and am enjoying that, but don’t really have a favourite thing. These needle cards look quite useful. Good idea.
Oh Mary, My favorite “needle accessory”, BAR NONE ! is the needle threader.!!! I have gone past using the ones that are a wire loop, protruding from a little plastic disc. The wire invariably pulls out. I’ve found such a better one. Sorry I threw away the packaging, or I could tell you the manufacturer. Anyway, it is a simple “sliver” of thin thin thin metal shaped into a disc for holding….. but…. the disc has an “extension” of itself, like a little finger shaped into a hook which glides easily into the needle holes. “Voila”. No wires to pull out. I’d be lost without this new needle threader. Thanks for asking. Judy in Pittsburgh
I like the pretty magnetic needle minders. My needles are always with my work, and if I drop a needle I always have a magnet handy. I also like the John James Petites.
The magnets on my framed needlepoint changed my life and make me smile every time I load it up with 5 or 6 loaded needles. I would love to be able to identify all the others.
My favourite item is a fabulous magnet my stitching friend bought for me. It fits either side of my fabric and holds all my needles for me while I am working! – Its perfect!!
Now I just really need something to hold my needles while they are not working…..!!! heehee
My absolute favorite needle related tool is the Loran needle threader. I cannot thread a needle to save my life and don’t think I would be such an avid needleworker had this little gadget not been invented. I have one in all of my stitching tool kits. I make sure I keep extras on hand just in case one becomes misplaced. Have needle threader, will stitch!
I love buying good needlework tools. And I love them even more when it is something that I can make. My favorite needle related tool is a lovely needlebook that I made years and years ago from a kit that I bought from Kathleen Smith at Textile Reproductions. It is in my handsewing basket as I write.
These little cards are fabulous! It’s so hard to really narrow down to a specific needle related item. I love storage for needles. The children I teach love my dalmation pin cushion that barks. The adults love my colcha embroidered top pin cushion. But I think my very favorite needlecase is a long pyrographed case by Matthew Hester. the wood has a lovely finish and the design of an owl has a little crystal eye. Size and length are perfect for a general assortment, including some long needles that don’t fit in other cases: beading needle (for fixes), a darner, a straw needle, and milliners. There are some shorties in there, too. The hollow inside is quite wide for the width of the case so needles aren’t too crowded and it’s easy to select one.
Made a wonderful crazy patch needlebook recently from a class I took with Gloria McKinnon and have all my hand needles on the wool felted pages inside.
I like the feeling of having something beautiful and practical to use for my handwork! These cards look like they would be a great addition to help my mind keep all the diferent needles straight in my brain!
Avis in VA
I have several handmade needlebooks to store my needles…tapestry, cross stitch to normal stitching needles.
Usha
usharaneem@yahoo.com
My favorite item is my needlebook that has a place for needles, embroidery scissors and a pocket for a package of needle threaders. I take this with me whenever I go some place where I’ll be using a needle. Winning this prize would surely help me as I have lots of needles that I have trouble identifying.
Gita
Wow! What a wonderful product. As a relatively new stitcher I am finding I use numerous types and size needles then have no clue what size or kind they are. Even packaging is no help. I am lost when directions say what size needle to use. And one thing I have realized…being organized when stitching sure makes the process more enjoyable. Nothing worse wasting time searching for everything you need. So I am sure I will really like this product.
Donnaa
What a perfect tool! I’m always confused as to what needle is the best to use, and I’m notorious for just sticking them in the top flap of my thread case. If it has thread or ribbon left in it, I can tell what the needle is, but if not… If I don’t win, I will have to get my hands on these myself. I agree, they are “cute.”
My favorite needle holder is a felt one my grandmother made out of felt and ribbon. It looks like a Sunbonnet Sue (it’s a sentimental thing). I also have the ubiquitous tomato, but I lose needles in it and I never know what size a needle is.
I would love the organizers that tell me what the needle is and what it is for – always a problem for me!
Hi Mary!
I love those little cards! I happen to have a lot of unidentified needles, LOL!!
My favorite is a needlebook I made myself. I keep most of my needles there, except the ones I use when sewing on my little sewing machine. I need to make a new one soon, because now it’s a little crowded with both cross stitch needles AND crewel ones.
Thanks for your wonderful site, I come here every day!
With love,
Gwen Kok, Dordrecht, the Netherlands.
I`m a bit of a WIP with organization. My imediate project is organized ,but eveything else in in various boxes, drawers,project bags. But I still have the felt needlecase I made in my first year in 4-H as a ten year old in 1964. It`s still in great shape and contains some sewing needles. I must admit this little Needlecase is the Bee`s Knees.
Karole in Texas
I have a pencil box I got at the dollar store and I am able to keep all my hand work supplies in this. I have a Sun Bonnet Sue needle book I got as a gift that fits well This help prevent me from losing my needles, but I would like a way to keep them better organized! Thanks so much for your generous giveaways.
Thess are fabulous! I have a whole stash of single needles. I just made some felt “ring” pin cushions, and I stitch with one on my finger so I don’t have a needle in my mouth when I stitch. But my favorite needle elated item has to be the NP2 needlebook I made with Mary’s guidance. I just brought it on holiday with me and people always love it. It was my first needle related item I embroidered and will always hold a special place. (even though the needle guide is more useful in indentification).
. These are a great find!
I love the John James Tapestry petites! I do medieval German brickwork in silk and the cute little petites are perfect for the job.
These cards are awesome!
Wow! I’ve been wondering if there might be something that could help me identify needle sizes and types and here it is.
My favorite needle related item is the tin box I keep them in. It’s an Altoids cinnamon gum container, about an inch wide and two inches long. The size is perfect for needles but I also like that it is ecological. There’s a mystery attached to it too — somehow the needles that are stored there become magnetized. Yep, no magnet in sight but the larger ones cling together when I remove them from the container.
This is a neat product, Thanks for sharing.
Jacquelyn
I really like these cards. I think that my needle book is my favorite embroidery tool.
I really love your website.
My favorite needle related item is a small needlecase made for me by a friend. It is a small envelope made of line banding, stitched with floral motifs in cross stitch over 1 and over 2, satin stitch, queen stitch & back stitch. The envelope holds 3 round wooden needleholders, a needle threader, a laying tool, and a star detailer. The verse on the back is a favorite of mine: The Needle’s Work
Shall Be My Art, A Gift My Friend From the Heart.
My favorite tool is a small crochet hook. I am forever stitching until the tail is too short to knot or pass under stitches so i use the crochet hook to pull the short threat through to finish off.
Love the needle cards. They would fit perfectly into my needle book. Yesterday’s blog on blocking was very informative and I just bought push pins to try it.
What pracaticl cards!They would be so handy to have on my annual “Teach sewing and embroidery” trip to Peru with Threads of Hope Canada. My favorite companion for needles is a hand made needle book.Every student gets one with a basic assortment of needles on every trip. In Oct I will go to Swaziland with Threads of Hope. I have already completed 150 needle books one for each lady that comes to class. The cards would be immensly helpful to help the ladies use the best needle for their work.
One of my most favorite needle related tools is my leather thimble by Clover. It is not very impressive as tools go, but before I found it I hated thimbles. Now I gladly use it and it saves my fingertips. Bring on the needles, I’m ready!
Hi, I use a needlebook made out of felt that I made myself, very useful tool to have as a gadget..I would be very pleased to win the needle cards..
Thanks for the giveaway, Linda Jeter Virginia Beach VA
Hi – My favorite needle related tool is my needle thread – without which I could not use my needle with certain threads. I have those little thin wire gems located in any place I might want to thread up. My needles are not very tidy at all – I must admit. They are in their little jackets in various places. I would love to win those needle cards.
Thanks – for the chance.
Jane from MA