Well, it’s January 6th and I’m about to embark on my New Year’s resolution. I have several – one is to clean and reorganize my sewing room and office, another is to try and get caught up with several years worth of neglected yard work on my two acres of property (sometimes it feels like Milne’s Hundred Acre Wood) and another resolution is to try and post more on my website (and update the gallery and calendar).
This morning I’ve decided to ‘review’ some new embroidery needles I’m trying. A shop I teach for – Pioneer Quilts – recently started carrying a new line of hand sewing needles. They are Tulip Hiroshima Needles made in Japan. Apparently, the company started by making beading needles and have expanded into other types of needles, applique, quilting, embroidery, Sashiko… The needles I’m trying out is an assortment of embroidery needles ranging from size #3 – #6. So far, I’m impressed. I’m working with 6-strand cotton DMC floss (all 6 strands) and have found the needles thread more easily than than a comparable sized needle I was using previously. The needles are also quite sharp and have made stitching through the multiple layers of fabric in my project a bit easier. While the needle takes a little more force to penetrate initially (I’m assuming the taper at the tip is more obtuse), I’ve found that once you reach the ‘break point’ the needle glides through with ease and does not get stuck when you reach the threaded eye and requiring a LOT of force to pull it through like the other needles I had been using.
The only downside is the cost. A package of Clover embroidery needles in assorted sizes will set you back around $3 – $5 depending on the type of needle and where you buy them, and come 16 to a package. The Tulip needles come at a hefty price – around $8.50 for just 8 needles. They are worth the cost however if they continue to work this well in other projects.
