MQGlogo

Moonlight Quilters
Tip of the Needle


Home

MQGlogo

 

Pins and Needles

  

Straight pins, applique, flat head. Sharps, betweens and straws.  Quilters have pins and needles for every possible technique. How do we keep track of it all?

Share A Tip
If you have a tip to share with the guild members, submit it to the webmaster using the email link below. 

Here are tips from many different quilters and sources for managing your pins and needles:

Traveling with Pins:

I've always had trouble with the magnetic pin holders and hard plastic containers that pins come in--they just don't travel well.  The pins fall off the magnetic holders or snag on fabrics; the containers open up too easily, they crack, the hinges break off, and sometimes the pins are too long to fit into them properly. 

Lately, baby foods--particularly fruits for stage 1 and 2--have been coming in flexible plastic containers with snap-on lids--much like the new semi-disposable food containers (Glad, Ziplock, etc.), but are just the right size for smaller sewing items. 

I washed out the plastic container and it holds quite a lot of pins--even the long flower-head pins--and has a lid that snaps on tight and withstands travel to classes and sewing nights.  Just toss it in the bag or box and you're out the door!  If anyone needs some, let me know and I'll save some for you.

tip from Karen O.

You might also try these tips:

  • Use an inexpensive round plastic container with lid to carry your magnetic pin dish to and from class.
  • A flat magnet will hold many pins and needles. Slip it into a ziplock bag and toss it into your travel bag.

Which Machine Needle is Which?

There are so many different needles for our machines and they all pretty much look alike to the eye. Here is a tip for keeping track of which one you have on your machine.

One quilter uses velcro dots, one stuck to the needle case and one stuck on the side of her sewing machine. When she changes needles she attaches the appropriate needle case to the side of her machine. She can always tell which needle is in the machine and return it to the case when she changes to another type.

You might also try:

  • Needletrak(c) a commercially produced sewing tool that attaches to your sewing machine. Slide the pointer to indicate the type of needle currently in your machine. Look for this in the notions dept. of your favorite quilt and fabric shops.

 

  • Make a needle case like the one pictured below. To make it, cut a piece of muslin or white fabric 8" square and use a permanent pen to write the types and sizes of needles you use. Cut an 8" piece of batting and use black thread to stitch the continuous grid you see in the picture.

Finish the case by placing an 8" piece of printed fabric on top of the muslin, right sides together. Pin a length of ribon or lightweight cording at each side for the ties.Stitch around the square leaving a 3 inch opening at the bottom.

Clip diagonally at corners to reduce bulk.Turn right sides out and topstitch around the entire case.

As you see in the photo, needles can be inserted in the corresponding section of the grid so they are easy to recognize.

View Previous Tips:

     
 

Contact webmaster webmaster@moonlightquilters.org