Community / Sewing /
14995
by eggyannie 11 Nov 2013 ( edited Nov 16'13 17:07 )
+52

TIP

I just could not remember what needle was in my machine just by looking at it and as i swap needles for different projects it meant that i had a lot of needles that i could not use.So I popped on my thinking head and now i have no problem. How did i solve this?
I purchased some very cheap nail varnish in very different colors none of them remotely alike and then placed one color on the outer case and then placed the same color on the top of the shank of the needle.
Now when i change the needle after just a short time usage i simply look for the same colored case and pop it back in with its friends
annie in the uk

Comments (24)
5104
by vlh 11 Nov 2013
+9
clever!!
140717
by spendlove 11 Nov 2013
+10
neat!
7528
by ethan 11 Nov 2013
+9
Great idea
2974
by PatriciaVosloo 11 Nov 2013
+9
Brilliant! I'll be following suit. Thank you.
45070
by dollygk 11 Nov 2013
+9
This is using your noggin!!!
743327
by gerryvb 11 Nov 2013
+8
clever !!
169064
by 02kar 11 Nov 2013
+7
Great tip. Thanks for sharing
234507
by pennifold 11 Nov 2013
+7
BRILLIANT IDEA!!!!! - love Chris
15626
by haleymax 11 Nov 2013
+7
Thank you for a great tip.
1744
by karenintw 11 Nov 2013
+7
Great idea and thanks for sharing so we can all use it!
32948
by jofrog2000 11 Nov 2013
+7
Super, singer used to do that with sewing needles, but I never thought to do it myself. (Lazy?) ha.
Jo
27683
by tippi 11 Nov 2013
+7
GREAT idea. Thanks.
14995
by eggyannie 11 Nov 2013
+6
the simplest of ideas are always the best solutions
24342
by beatie58 12 Nov 2013
+6
love this tip...
158718
by jrob 12 Nov 2013
+5
You are too clever for words! Why didn't I think of that?????
89895
by capoodle 12 Nov 2013
+4
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
1385
by sassylady 12 Nov 2013
+5
Thanks for the idea. I have done my house and garage keys this way, but never thought to do my needles.
235
by candycedawn 12 Nov 2013
+4
great idea. i use different colored sharpie markers and mark the flat surface at the top.
360671
by noah 12 Nov 2013
+5
wow Annie your smart will half to try this lol hugs
145305
by mops 12 Nov 2013
+6
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).
9846
by workbecky 12 Nov 2013
+5
Very clever. Thanks for the tip.
2848
by dec716 13 Nov 2013
+3
thanks i've been looking for a solution to this problem
17214
by almag 15 Nov 2013
+2
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.
15982
by theduchess 16 Nov 2013
+2
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 21 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.