Jingle

I put mine in a pill bottle after reading that hint. I change needles before quilting each quilt and have gone through lots of them, need to reorder now. I use the ones that don't have burrs on them for piecing. Oldest Daughter doesn't change hers until they break.

frarose

Never heard of using them for nails. Great tip.

Favorite Fabrics

I can tell by the sound the needle makes, going through the fabric, whether it needs changing yet. When it does, it tends to make a popping sound.

Other that that... I don't change my needle until I find a problem with it.

If I was going to work on a project with more finely woven fabric, then I would probably change it.

When I'm done with 'em, I just stick them into a piece of scrap cloth so I don't get stuck when emptying the trash.

leatheflea

Toss em after a days use. Mine come in a plastic container, I just put them back in an empty container.

ckcowl

the recommendation is to start a new project with a new needle- or after 8 hours of sewing time- so if you are spending 2-3 hours on a project you can make 3 or 4 projects before changing needles- also- if you want to be (thrifty) change your needle at the first sign of uneven-skipped stitches- that is the sign your needle is dull-needs to be changed.

sharonve

I don't change with every project and when I get a little burr on a needle I use the fine side of an emery board and remove it. I use those needles for sewing on jeans, etc.

MommaDorian

I don't use a new one for each project. I use a lot of heavy fusible fleece, so I change about every other. I too put them in an old prescription bottle. I think I'll be using them as nails now! I hadn't heard of that before, but it's a great idea.

loves_2_quilt

I keep an empty allergy medicine bottle by my machine. I call it pin and needle heaven. I put all broken/bent pins and needles in it. When it is full I put the lid tightly on and toss in trash. No more worry about who or what might get poked.

quiltsRfun

A day being 8 hours of sewing time? Just curious.

JCL in FL

I save some of mine, I use them to hang my design wall. I do not have a room that is only used for sewing and it is a guest room also so my design wall (the back of a table cloth) goes up and down many times in a years time. We live in Florida and so we have lots of visitors. You can't see the mark in the wall where they have been. I've also used them to level a picture by putting one on the bottom edge a frame that keeps slipping. They are great for hanging small seasonal things. I have a bulletin board above my sewing machine where I put up patterns so I can avoid the old turned piece and I use them instead of tacks on that also.