Needles

[Solitaire]

Anybody else find they strip the coating of needles ?

[wendywombat]

Yep!! They seem to lose their coating quicker in the warmer months too!

I keep all the needles that come in kits, magazine cover charts and bin them as soon as they start to 'stick'

[Solitaire]

Glad it's not just me
I'm always washing my hands when I sew (I've got a thing about clean hands anyway ) but still the needles loose their coating

[Secopz]

Happens to me too. Don't think there is any way to avoid it

[RosemaryH]

Then again there are the times when the needles squeak and whine when pulled through the fabric. Do you think that they are protesting at being overworked?????

Rosemary

[Secopz]

I think you might be right

[Solitaire]

I need to get some more needles, but I'm not certain what size to buy, one of my packets says 24/26 and another 22, I use 14 count and have found the size 22 easier to sew with, also I don't seem to stab myself so much and the needle is slightly longer.

[Secopz]

I always use size 26, regardless of fabric count, simply because I like that size. If you like 22 then buy that. The 'standard' size needle for 14 count is size 24, but you can use whatever you want really.

[wendywombat]

Then again there are the times when the needles squeak and whine when pulled through the fabric. Do you think that they are protesting at being overworked?????

Rosemary

I find that the gold ones squeak...but I only use those for backstitch as I like a finer needle for that.

I need to get some more needles, but I'm not certain what size to buy, one of my packets says 24/26 and another 22, I use 14 count and have found the size 22 easier to sew with, also I don't seem to stab myself so much and the needle is slightly longer.

I never know what size my needles are...I pick one out of the pincushion and if it feels right ..I use it!! Really technical!

[Athalie]

I have a thing about size 28 needles and use them for almost everything I stitch. The only problem with them is that often the eye isn't big enough to put the threader through especially when you pull it back through the eye with the thread attached. I've just discovered Dritz needles and the eye size is great.

[Sandycheeks]

I have always stitched 14 ct and bought 24. I like an eye I can see to thread. LOL

[Rose]

The only needle that I use that have lost their coating are the gold needles. They also squeak. It is so funny to listen to them.

My favorite size needle is a 26 but I also have 22, 24, and 28. I use whatever sive feels right for the project I am working.

[mysticalrose]

My skin has a chemical reaction to metal. So I go through a lot of needles. They tend to wear thin and break in the middle. I always keep lots on hand.

[Solitaire]

Even the gold ones loose their coating, I was told I must have acidic skin, which could also explain why my pastry isn't very good

[crafterglen]

Please give Piecemaker needles a go, they are great to stitch with, the eye doesn't break, the needle doesn't bend like a banana, never had a problem with allergy or reaction or eating in to it, I have had mine for years and still on the first packet and stitch every day, they really are fabulous.

[debupnorth]

My favorite needles are John James Platinum's & most of the time I'm using 26's. I used to have problems with breakage & the coatings stripping (even with the gold ones), but since switching to the JJP's I can't say I've had any problems - if I don't lose them, I can use the same 1 or 2 for a year or more! I recently bought some Piecemakers, but haven't used them enough yet to evaluate fairly.

[Midge]

If you have a problem stripping the gold off, try Jane Greenoff's gold needles from the Cross Stitch Guild site.
If they get stripped she will replace them free of charge!!

[stitchingmae]

Maybe I loose needles and am getting different ones each time. But I have only had one break and it was at the eye. And haven't noticed any squeaking whining or sticking LOL. But sometimes I have noticed my stitches to dance...esp if I am stitching while very tired. Who needs sleep?

[Mystonique]

After a few hours the coating has worn off most needles. And I am allergic to the metal so once the pretty silver rubs through I get blisters that weep on my fingers from the metal

[backafteradozenyrs]

I lost a needle yesterday afternoon....was stitching away & had to AGAIN & that needle just flew on the backhand. The wall isn't even 3" away...but that puppy is GONE WITH THE WIND.

I still want to try these twin pointed needles:

http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemd ... m=123-3245" target="_blank

(maybe my losing a needle yesterday was a subconsciouse thing?)