TIP

Also when you buy TIC TACS save the container. I color code top and as I get new needles color them with nail polish($1.00 cheapo stuff)
I reserve black for the bent dull or broken ones ) This way I can instantly see
which is which. (10 is fine -yellow , 12 -regular sewing is green, 14 -cotton-purple , 16 coarse -purple, 18 jeans red) Years ago Sears sold them as such so it was easy to identify. Keep a bag of emery sand to re sharpen your good needles. I also but the Mentos Gum in the slim containers and either use them also for needles or my USB sticks. That way when you go to a class you can keep track of USB stick, & seam ripper. Hope it helps someone. helps me a lot.

3 comments

by eggyannie 16 Nov 2013

great idea looks like we share the same thinking head

by danushaj 17 Nov 2013

Just a question, does the metal tin of the Mentos Gum dull your needles? I was always told not to store them in a metal container as they didn't stay sharp as long. Maybe an old wives tale, who knows, just wanted to know.

by theduchess 20 Nov 2013

I have only seen the small plastic Mentos Containers. Colors vary (orange, red, blue green, yellow) So I just add use a USB stick and use my own codes. Blue is for Children's designs, red for animals, Blue -Peter Rabbit Orange-borders, etc, Have not seen metal containers.

So that's why I've been just sitting here in my pj's until this advanced hour...... to learn how to sort my used but still useful needles!!!!
I shudder to think how many I've thrown away that could still be used, if only I could read the wretched things.
We need people like you who can find simple solutions to our most frustrating problems and share them generously and often.
I rather like the idea of the coloured sharpies - I have them, whereas I'd need to go and buy nail polish and that's the sort of thing I send my 20+ grand-daughter off to do for me and she'd do it more than willingly but I doubt if I'd ever see the nail polish again.
AlmaG.

thanks i've been looking for a solution to this problem

Very clever. Thanks for the tip.

Nice idea to colour the case as well. Some brands of needles (like Schmetz) have been colour coded for ages, just beneath the thicker top end of the shank (red for embroidery, blue for jeans and topstitch, yellow for stretch, green for quilt, and so on) so you can still see it when it is in your machine.
I use the same colours for other brands so the only thing I have to do to put it in its right place is use a magnifying glass to read the size (could do that with the naked I when I was younger (at that time I never understood why my mum couldn't).

wow Annie your smart will half to try this lol hugs

great idea. i use different colored sharpie markers and mark the flat surface at the top.

Thanks for the idea. I have done my house and garage keys this way, but never thought to do my needles.

It is a great idea that I've been using for a long time. The only problem was I put so much polish on it wouldn't fit in the holder so I had to scrape some of it off. So if you do this cuties don't lump it on like I first did. lol

You are too clever for words! Why didn't I think of that?????

love this tip...

the simplest of ideas are always the best solutions

GREAT idea. Thanks.

Super, singer used to do that with sewing needles, but I never thought to do it myself. (Lazy?) ha.
Jo

Great idea and thanks for sharing so we can all use it!

Thank you for a great tip.

BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!! - love Chris

Great tip. Thanks for sharing

clever !!

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This is using your noggin!!!

Brilliant! I'll be following suit. Thank you.

Great idea

neat!

clever!!