Get to the point !!

[shelly]

A little survey I thought we could take part in.

When hand sewing what do you like ?

1. A nice long slim needle

2. A short needle.



You can tell which one I like, but most people I know all like short needles. I was wondering if I was just alone on this one?


Shelly x.:6086:

[Laurie]

I like to use a nice long slim needle too Shelly as I hand sew all my bears and find it easier than having too small a needle.My bears are fairly big too so it doesn't matter so much about using a small needle.I also like to have a large eye as it drives me crackers trying to thread the thicker strong threads:mad:
Laurie:)

[shebob bears]

I agree with you, Laurie - a long, slim needle WITH a large eye would be just perfect for threading the thicker threads such as the ones used for noses etc.
Also, the doll needles for inserting eyes really do need to have BIG eyes to cope with the strong, thick thread.

Perhaps they already exist. If so, who sells them? :6044:

Best wishes.
Sheila x

[Ruth]

Hi Shelly , I wondered if I was the only mini-maker who likes a long slim needle ! I like to not make much hole in the fabric ; the needles I use are Pony Beading . They go really anatomically weird and bent after a while , and then I break in to a new pack ! :6086:
Ruth

[Jenny]

When I hand sew... which is not often... I use a whacking great darning needle with a big eye...I can't get on with tiny needles...I think I am too clumsy

[Vicky Allum]

Hi Shelly

I don't do much hand sewing - I'd be there forever if I did. But when I do I like the long slim (but sturdy) needles, but they do have to have a nice long eye or I can't thread them! Not knowing very much about dressmaking I have no idea what you'd use the little short weedy ones for - splinters perhaps?:)

[shelly]

Well I have obviously always been destined for the bear world, as when I worked in the fashion industry and mixed with soft furnishing makers they have always used tiny needles about 1 1/2" and I always liked a needle at least 2". They used to say I was sewing with a poker !!:D


:6087:

[Judi Russell]

[QUOTE=shebob bears
the doll needles for inserting eyes really do need to have BIG eyes to cope with the strong, thick thread.

Perhaps they already exist. If so, who sells them? :6044:

Christie Bears sell them Sheila. I use a tiny 'tweeny' needle for hand sewing, a relic from my quilting day. I can just about still thread it but my eyes are going so I will need a needle with a bigger eye soon.,:eek:

[shebob bears]

Thanks Judi. I have searched the Christie Bears site for needles with large eyes, but am still uncertain about the eye size. The thread I use for inserting eyes is actually a very heavy thread used for plaiting horses manes, and is totally 'snap proof'. All the doll needles I have found so far have long, slim eyes and I really need a much rounder eye. Can you help?

Best wishes,
Sheila :6087:

[Judi Russell]

I have just tried all of the long dolls needles with plaiting thread Sheila, it goes through them all.:6013: For the nose thread, the chenille needles have a large eye, ohhhh, this is getting so complicated.:6022:

[shebob bears]

I have just tried all of the long dolls needles with plaiting thread Sheila, it goes through them all.:6013: For the nose thread, the chenille needles have a large eye, ohhhh, this is getting so complicated.:6022:

Thanks Judi. I am not sure what plaiting thread is, but I shall place an order with you in the morning for some doll needles, probably need some more felting needles too, the so an so's keep breaking!

Sheila :6016:

[All Bear]

A little needle for hand sewing ... which amounts to basting paw pads into place! Need a threader for this these days because my eyes can't see the hole any more!! :6022:

Quite a big needle for noses ... about 3" I think. Something with a good strong body and a decent hole in the end for the thicker thread.

Thick curved needle for ladder stitching ... the kind used for upholstery.

Slender doll makers' needle for claws ... about 7" or longer. Something fairly slender (but with a reasonable eye for the embroidery thread), so that I don't make big holes in the fabric.

Whacking great thick long strong needle for inserting eyes. It's at least 10" long and has never bent in the past twelve years! I couldn't manage without it!! It glides through head stuffing with ease and keeps a straight path.

[shelly]

The needle that you use for the eyes Paula, do you not find that it leaves a hole in the fabric?

I end up using a thinner doll needle and it is very frustrating when it bends but I have found the thicker needles leaves a stretched hole mark in the fabric.

Shelly:6086:

[All Bear]

Hi Shelly,

I make a small hole in the fabric first with an awl for the back of the eye to slot into, so the needle I use for inserting eyes slips through the same hole without any problem.

[marktaoh]

Hi, I mostly like to use leather needles about 2 inches long for sewing bears.They are very sharp and go through anything - including fingers.
I like to use button thread as you can be sure of the thread not breaking.
Long dolls needles can be bought quite readily from your local hobby/craft shop. The curved needles are great for the ladder stitch to close up.
Long fine needles are great for beading when making "Native American" style beadwork on a beading loom.
Mark:6033:

[Bears of Bath]

Hi everyone!
I find small needles work best for me, but they have to have a fair sized eye in them as it gets really boring struggling to thread up all the time. They also need a very sharp point otherwise it tends to catch in the fabric. I find the needles I use for my hand embroidery are my favourites. Had a go at long needles but stabbed myself too much! :(

[Judi Russell]

I still like my small quilting needle, but now we have some really good sewing needles in stock I have begun to use those. All I really need are some new glasses, its so frustrating not being able to see the eye of the needle to thread up.:6033:

[kerrenmorris]

I use a small thin needle, would you believe I now prefer to hand sew all my bears? I feel it is neater, for me anyway.
Obviously it isn’t possible to hand sew all bears as the big bears need the support of machine sewing. But I get a neater finish when hand sewn. I do hand sew all the heads foot pads and paw pads occasionally I would go round with the machine to reinforce the stitching. I know it isn’t needed I just like to do it.
Beary hugs Kerren

[Geralye]

I like the very small fine needles, but invariably bend them!:eek:

I much prefer to hand sew bears, usually when watching television. However, like Judy, I desparately need new glasses! I wear contact lenses during the day, but take them out when I get home. Then I sit with my glasses on the end of my nose, looking over them to sew, and through them to see the television!:confused:

Mind you, I have several bears awaiting stuffing, and I just can't be bothered at the moment.:6023:

cheers,
G

[Anji55]

I use reading glasses from a pound shop!...You can choose the magnification - I use the X2 one, I think...
It's just like using a magnifying glass, and REALLY helps with threading needles.
I hand sew all my bears...I like applique needles size10...Or quilting needles.
For jointing I use long darners (perfect size for my small bears!).
Emboidery needles are good for noses.

Hugs
Anji
gsolfot