I've never been through so many hand sewing needles before. I always keep my needles in foil to prevent rusting and deterioration, but now I find I also have to keep them in a bit of talcum powder too. I think the constant sewing through glue means that they 'wear' faster. It doesn't make logical sense to me that this difference could be deteriorating them, and I normally wouldn't notice but this is the second time I have had to run out to the store to buy extra- and just when I was comfortably seated and ready for a long days hand sewing. The lighting in my room was perfect too. Oh well, it always happens like that, doesn't it?
this is what it's all about; polka dots are finished!
so pretty! do you have high humidity? I guess that can make the needles not last as long also if you not run air conditioning.
ReplyDeletei always seem to bend mine, and its the same with knitting needles , a of my needles are curved now!
ReplyDeletefrankie
www.knitwits-owls.blogspot.com
Have you tried Bohin applique needles? I was using straw needles at first, but they were bending so fast that I was going through them constantly. I ordered Bohin applique needles from an online needlework shop and they are just a bit shorter and thicker than straws, still very comfortable for me to applique with but they don't bend and they stay quite sharp for a long time. I have not had any rusting issues with the Bohin needles, but I've never had rust issues with any of my needles so I may have lower humidity in my area.
ReplyDeleteBTW, your polka dots are SUBLIME!
Dear Esther
ReplyDeleteLast year we all had a big discussion about needles, on Mary Corbet's, Needle and Thread. At the time I had trouble with my trusted John James needles. It turns out a few things affect the quality of our newer needles, one them being made with metal, that is of a different grade, quantity instead of quality, even the fact that the needles are made not anymore in England, John James, but elsewhere. John James brought out a gold glide needle, the eye is gold in colour. These needles just fly through the fabric like melted butter, easy on the hands, fabric and the thread. I am using them now for all my quilting, embroidery, applique. Our grandmothers always carried a little emery with them, to sharpen their needles. One normally get an emery when one buy a red pincushion, with a little strawberry dangling off it, this is filled with emery powder.
I like your flower :-)
ReplyDeletexx
Beautiful work (as usual)! Sorry about the needles. Sitting down, reaching for your work, and realizing you don't have something you need is frustrating! Like others, I bend them too often. I may try the Bohin (recommended by another commenter). I also had bending trouble with knitting needles (addi's, no less) until I learned to release my grip!
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your needle problems, can't offer any suggestions as I don't handstitch as you know. But, I love the fabrics you are using they are so romantic and the deep bugundy and pink OMG it makes me want to swoon!! Cheers Jenny
ReplyDeleteYou have inspired me to put my dots on these elements. (I left them "un-dotted" before.)
ReplyDeleteMy needles last forever, even in our high humidity. I use them even when they are bent over (like an old friend). Your LE is looking fantastic!
Congrats on finishing all those dots! Do you have high humidity? How strange about the needles.
ReplyDelete