Confused by needle types? Let me explain which one you should be using for what!

There are lots of different needle types for different sewig occasions, having the right one will make all the difference so I explain what they are, how to identify them and when to use them!

Book about needlemaking from the video:
Needlemaking, John G Rollins
Shire Publications Ltd
Ashford Colour Press Ltd
ISBN 978-0-85263-563-6

John James needles PDF download mentioned in the video:

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[russells]

Sarah, you are my professor for all things having to do with needle and thread! I am so thankful for the work you and your husband do. The topics of your videos are so timely; it seems the week a question pops into my mind, y’all put out a video to answer and teach about the very subject I was struggling with!

You and your husband are each a blessing.

[gailgaddy]

Thanks, I did learn something new from this video. 😊

[nancyshirley]

Sarah, I’m a fan of your videos, and wanted to thank you. Your tutorials are excellent. You asked about “quilting” or “betweens” needles, and I can tell you that the short length helps to make very small quilting stitches. I am a quilter and I frequently use the size 12 for my hand quilting. I sometimes add tatting or embroidering on my quilts.

[studiosurmayi]

I came across your videos when I was looking for different kind of needles … so thankful that I found your Profile … totally loving the content ❤

[VeretenoVids]

Oooohhh that John James guide is indeed brilliant! Thank you!

[gailbarnard]

Ball point needles are also used to make needle lace (or detached buttonhole fillings). Most often tapestry needles are used for this kind of work, but with fine threads a ball point needle is less bulky.

[CaptainMidnight]

So far I'm absolutely loving your videos. You explain things very clearly. I'm learning a lot from you.

[sandramyer]

Sarah, thank you for you telling about needles- and more specifically, why we use the understanding now for embroidery. So helpful and more reason why. i always wondered about needles before metals- bones and wood(?) - maybe shells- so interesting to discover these and how they dealt without the lights or candles- long skirts and hard to do with what threads in 1799 or 1800’s ! Much more difficult than i never knew! Thank you! no sewing machine and when they were invented- is why they did this but during this industrial revolution- makes you wonder about pins, brooches, and what they used!- Thank you for your help us!- we know now! Thank you! Sandi💕

[katyb]

Thank you Sarah, so much confusion has been cleared up in this video!
I also did not know a doll needle existed, and that would have saved me so much grief .. I need to go get one!

[rebeccat]

Thanks for all that Sarah. I had no idea there were quite so many different types of needle but feel really well informed now, I have always been completely mystified about what ballpoint needles were for too, but no more!. As regards how long a needle should last, I am most grateful for some clarity about that, because when I was busily opening my latest order from John James needles, my husband looked on exasperated and said "you've not bought more needles have you?", it turned out he thought that once you bought 'a needle', that was it, you didn't need to buy any more ever again!, so now I can explain it to him properly - at the time though I just smiled sympathetically, and deliberately in a very out of character way said "Aw... bless"!, we burst out laughing and needless to say he has never lived it down!.

[danawegner]

I just ordered the Needlemaking book as I am always interested in the history of things. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. As always, thank you for your clear instructions and for sharing your knowledge.

[solarwinds-]

Hi Sarah! Lovely to see you. Do you have a cross stitch start and end method, without turning your work over, for one over one on 25 CT? Pls share.

[MariaMartinez-jbzn]

This helps..it’s not like I pay attention to where I put the needles, once I use them..🤷🏻‍♀️ I do like the bees wax I got from you. It really helps my threading the needle. Needle book, yes! 🙏🏽🙋🏻‍♀️👍🏽Mia

[carolineshelford]

At last - clear information about needles. Thank you!

[patriciagregg]

Thank you for the wonderful information about needles

[susie]

Thank you, a really helpful guide. I’m off to sort my needles tomorrow into their different types. What a great idea the sharps jar is 👍🏻 And I think this must be one occasion I’m pleased my hands are so dry… I don’t wreck my needles 😉

[ein]

Thanks for this very informative video Sarah, and for the link to the JJ needle guide-a very handy and useful tool! Seeing the “ancient needle” reproductions was really interesting too.

[denisemountain]

Always good to have a reminder about the different 'tools of the trade'. Thanks too Sarah for the really helpful link to the needle guide, which I am off to download and print now - I was just about to buy one from a well known embroidery magazine!

[nataliemulina]

Sarah, thanks a lot for this video. It’s always a good idea to remind about having some options to work with ❤

[denisehill]

If you're ever in the Redditch area, Forge Mill Needle Museum is a fascinating place to visit (honest!) :)