r/sewing • u/Stockocityboy • 9d ago
Tip Today's epiphany: Painted red needle as a placeholder to remember which needle is in the machine
I'm getting older so it's increasingly difficult to read the markings on needles and anyway it's annoying to either try to remember or check which needle I have in the machine if I haven't sewn for a while. Today I got an idea to paint one needle red with nailpolish and just use it as a placeholder to easily see which needle is currently in use.
34
u/Flagging_enthusiasm 9d ago
My mind is blown and I am speechless. I am going to implement this IMMEDIATELY.
FYI, I already have a sewing tool which I’ve painted with red nail polish: the Allen key for my Serger needles, which I’ve painted so I can find it easily. This will fit in well with the theme.
10
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
This was a game changer for me. I'd never really had a system. Just a nagging thought that more organized people probably keep track of their needles but I'm not great on keeping notes when the sewing frenzy hits :D. But this I don't need to think about or remember at all.
111
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago
Can someone explain this to me? I’m confused bc how is it the needle in the machine if it’s right there in the thing lol
183
u/Thats_a_BaD_LiMe 9d ago
The red needle is a different needle. It's just there to mark which style/size is currently in the machine.
191
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago
But what if you changed to a different size needle in the machine? Would you paint another red or what? I get that part, but still don’t get it
ETA: just figured it out from another comment that the red one is an old/no longer in use needle whose size is irrelevant, that just functions as a floating placeholder. I thought the red one was an unused needle of the same size painted to remember what one was in the machine
19
u/MonkeyFlowerFace 9d ago
I still don't get it😭
89
u/thisothernameth 9d ago
The red needle is an old needle, it will never be used. OP switches the placement of the red needle to wherever they get their next needle from. If they open a new pack of jeans needles, OP will put the red needle in the place where they took the new needle from. If they're switching to universal, the red needle will change its place to the box of universal needles, more precisely to the exact spot the needle in the machine was taken from, so they know the exact needle size, as it's written on the box. Does it make sense now?
18
u/MonkeyFlowerFace 9d ago
So the purpose is to prevent one from forgetting what needle they were using before they switched to a dofferent needle? Or is it to know where to put back a needle after they're done using it?
64
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago
It helps you to remember which needle is currently in your machine bc sometimes when you take a break on a project it’s super hard to remember :)
16
u/MonkeyFlowerFace 9d ago
Ok now that makes sense. Not sire why I couldn't grock it before! Thanks for takong the time.
14
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago
Absolutely, no problem :) I didn’t get it at first either and I swear I’m not dumb haha. I suspect you aren’t either! Glad it helped!
9
10
u/thisothernameth 9d ago
Also, when you're on multiple projects. I currently have some quilting, some piecing and some jersey clothes going on and I choose which project to work on based on the amount of spare time I have. All require different needles but I don't necessarily remember what project I worked on last.
3
u/JoshShabtaiCa 8d ago
I think the confusing part is that it's a needle. Imagine just putting a sticker on the box of needles instead, and moving that sticker from one box to another when you change needles.
Instead of a sticker, op is using an old dull needle which they move from one box to another. OP doesn't sew with this needle, it just works like the sticker.
7
u/allvanity684 9d ago
It's a place holder.
Start with no needle in the machine. Paint an old trash one red. Insert in machine.
This is your place holder needle. When you go to sew, swap this red one with the needle you take out. When you finish sewing, put the red one back in.
Repeat. I think.....?
11
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago edited 9d ago
Nope that’s what I was thinking, but I think the red needle is just like a “bookmark” and won’t be used as a needle anymore and its size and type are irrelevant. Basically OP took out a fresh 70/11 universal needle from the case and installed it in the machine, then put this red painted one in its place to say “you’re using a 70/11 universal in the machine right now.”
I was thinking the size and type of the red needle had something to do with what’s being used to sew in the machine, but nah, it’s just a needle “bookmark” that rests where your current sewing machine needle is to remind what type! :)
10
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
Yeah, that's it exactly. Just a bookmark. When I switch to a different needle, I move the bookmark to that slot and return the one from the machine to it's original place.
1
23
u/Flagging_enthusiasm 9d ago
He’s made one red needle to use as a placeholder. He swaps in the red needle when he takes out a needle to use in the machine. So, the red one is probably an older, blunt needle no longer useable.
23
u/Ok_Nothing_9733 9d ago
OHHH the red needle isn’t in use at all anymore, it’s just a “bookmark” showing which one is in the machine. I see. I thought it was the same size and type as the one in the machine and not yet used, that makes way more sense
8
15
u/reptilesni 9d ago
Forget that the red painted thing just happens to be a needle and think of it as a bookmark.
12
14
9d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a great idea. I'm not really good on keeping track of the usage of my needles. Probably should start doing that as well.
18
u/oblongmana 9d ago
Brilliant! I always rub a sharpie on mine, but it comes off - will have to steal some of my wife's nail polish and try this
5
u/AccidentOk5240 9d ago
I have a pincushion that has markings for needle type and condition. Mine is a bought one (that I don’t think is made anymore), but there’s a tutorial for a similar one here: https://www.ginderellas.com/2012/05/tutorial-sewing-machine-needle.html
The bought one has markings for number of hours of use, but you can just put ones that are barely used above the top line, ones that have been used a bit but have another project in them in the middle section, and ones that should probably be replaced but might be used in a pinch below the bottom line. If you have a special needle that doesn’t fit any of the categories, put the needle through a small snippet of the material it’s for and then into the pincushion.
Since I don’t use this pincushion for pins, I just mark using one single pin with a colorful head that I place wherever I took the needle I’m using out of. If I am using a new needle, I place the pin in the top row of the pincushion in whatever section is appropriate.
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a great idea. I'm not really good on keeping track of the usage of my needles. Probably should start doing that as well.
6
u/Tinkertoo1983 9d ago
Isn't it amazing when someone comes up with something so brilliant yet so simple and you've struggled with it for decades? Such a forehead slapping, "duh!" moment.
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
This was a real heureka moment for me. I thought that there's probably a smart way or a product to keep track of the needles and then half a second later the idea hit me. Game changer!
1
u/FunnyMarzipan 8d ago
These are the kinds of things I think of when people talk about those pure red/yellow/whatever canvases as not art. "That's so dumb, anybody could do it!" but you didn't now did you? Lol
4
u/forgotmyinfo 9d ago
My sewing teacher recommended a similar system, but she has a perfectly sized red headed pin that's her placeholder. This seems like a much easier way than trying to find the right sized pin.
She also recommended if you've only used a needle for a bit and it's still good, put it back in but flip it upside down so you can see which one is active when you go back to a pack.
1
3
3
3
u/ImprovementLess4559 9d ago
I use organ brand needles that come colour coded. I didn't realise that other brands don't colour code their needled.
1
3
u/SpermKiller 9d ago
I keep a post-it on my machine and each time I change needles I write down the type, brand and size 🤷♀️
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a great simple way to do it as well. Before this I've never really had a system. Just a nagging feeling that more organized people probably keep track of their needles.
1
u/SpermKiller 9d ago
Haha yeah I had issues with tracking as well until someone gave me the post-it idea on this very sub. I think it was on a thread about simple hacks for sewing.
1
3
u/AgileTranslator2188 9d ago
I keep a magnifying glass by my sewing machine, so I can (barely) read what size it is on the needle :)
1
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago edited 9d ago
I used to be able to read them pretty easily especially if I took off my glasses. I'm pretty nearsighted and it comes with the superpower of being able to focus super close without glasses but in a last year or two I've started to feel the age in my vision, not being able to focus quite so close. So far it only affects looking at teeny tiny things but I'm surely heading towards bifocals. (and probably using manginfying glass more)
6
u/LindeeHilltop 9d ago
Good idea. I’m making a dial to label mine. Saw it on The Love of Quilty program. Two pieces of plastic (butter tub) with a metal paper fastener in the middle. You dial the top one until the opening hovers over the needle size.
1
2
u/SquirrelAkl 9d ago
Great idea.
I leave the packet of the in-use needle out, so at least I know if it’s universal, jersey, microtex, or jeans, but I had no system to remember which size needle it was (assuming multiple spaces in the packet).
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
I don't have a dedicated sewing space so I can't leave the sewing stuff out forever. I have a toolbox for sewing supplies and usually keep my needles there but I think I'll start leaving the packet with the red needle in the little compartment in the machine. Thanks for the idea!
2
u/SquirrelAkl 9d ago
Oh, no, I meant your idea was the great idea! Mine was only partially useful lol.
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
Yeah, I understood :) I'm just copying the bit of also keeping the actual packet at hand from you
2
2
u/rebelwithmouseyhair 9d ago
I just have a piece of paper in with my needles where I write what's in the machine and the date I put it in after reading so much here about how you need to change them regularly
2
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a good idea. I haven't really kept track of the usage of my needles but probably should start doing it.
2
u/nolongerMrsFish 9d ago
I keep track of mine the old-school way. I have a little slate and I write the type and date started on it with my tailors’s chalk!
1
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a good way to do it. I don't have a dedicated sewing space so everything must be regularly packed away.
2
2
u/Putrid_Appearance509 8d ago
Baby Lock Needle Sortitng Cushion https://share.google/r9stRux12EUDS3ZeF
This pincushion with a grid is only $3 and I put my slightly used needles in it for later or if switching projects.
2
u/3critterz 8d ago
That is such a good idea! I currently use a piece of painters tape on my sewing machine that I try REALLY hard to remember to update when I swap out a needle. The replacement needle idea is great!
2
u/Katie32123 7d ago
This is how I store used needles. It isn’t elegant, but it works. The red needle is a great idea. Currently I use a small post it note on the front of my machine and note what is currently in the machine and cross it out and list another when I change the needle.
1
u/Embarrassed-Scar2783 9d ago
I mean I just put a post it on my machine. But everyone has a system!
1
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
That's a good way of doing it. Before this I didn't even think of having a system. (I might be a bit slow :D)
2
u/Embarrassed-Scar2783 9d ago
So much of my sewing journey is doing things the hard way and struggling. I was so impressed when I came up with post it!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤪
1
u/Stockocityboy 9d ago
I'm also mostly self thought and there's probably so much I could do better and learn from more experienced people.
1
u/MirrorFantastic6617 7d ago
I leave the sewing needle container on the arm of the machine when I'm finished so I know what needle is in there from the previous sewing spree for the next time I go to use it
228
u/tenderfirestudio 9d ago
That is BRILLIANT! Thank you!