My knowledge of sewing is very limited. I apparently have to use a very thick thread (2-3 mm depending a bit on the way of measuring) for some carpet repairs. What kind of needle to use or if not needle then what? Thread looks and smells like hemp.
What kind of needle
- Thread starter TLM
- Start date
There are carpet needles which I would use with a heavy duty thimble. Look for sets of upholstery needles. You may not need the curved ones included in the set right now but once you’ve got them they will be useful in the future.
Alternatively use an eyed awl and pull the thread through.
Alternatively use an eyed awl and pull the thread through.
You can buy carpet needles, they are longish, very strong and not very sharp. They will sew without tearing fibres.
I was about to offer to send you some and then realised that you're in Finland and can probably get them there easier than dealing with post and customs.
They're easily available on eBay here, so I presume where you are too ? and you can buy a set, like this,
which might not be absolutely top notch but it's got everything you'd need to do the job.
Carpet needles get used for leatherwork too, but only after using an awl to punch the holes. They're strong enough to take the 'chug', the heavy snap pull of two linen threads crossed through each awl hole.
They're useful.
Pattree's right about the upholstery needle set too
I was about to offer to send you some and then realised that you're in Finland and can probably get them there easier than dealing with post and customs.
They're easily available on eBay here, so I presume where you are too ? and you can buy a set, like this,
Upholstery Sail Carpet Leather Canvas Repair Curved Hand Sewing Needles Kit | eBay
Wide Application: For car seat, sofa, umbrella, carpets, upholstery, coats, tents, mattresses, furs. You can sew different leather, fabric, denim, canvas or tarpaulin. 2.9" SAIL NEEDLE For sewing canvas, tarpaulin and venetian blinds.
www.ebay.co.uk
which might not be absolutely top notch but it's got everything you'd need to do the job.
Carpet needles get used for leatherwork too, but only after using an awl to punch the holes. They're strong enough to take the 'chug', the heavy snap pull of two linen threads crossed through each awl hole.
They're useful.
Pattree's right about the upholstery needle set too
I see there is a world of needles. That eyed awl looks awesome, I have no idea how practical it might be.
I see a trip to city center in the near future, there are a few shops selling things like that still left. Hmmm ... sail makers use large needles but they'll have the yacht extra on their price.
I see a trip to city center in the near future, there are a few shops selling things like that still left. Hmmm ... sail makers use large needles but they'll have the yacht extra on their price.
If things get tough they get the job done but only one stitch at a time then you re-thread the needle. If you are really clever you can keep the seam running using two threads just like a sewing machine but it’s not straight forward. A big leather needle or a big upholstery needle are what you need.
Not far from where I live is a needle museum based in a nineteenth century needle factory. (The usual horrible Victorian working conditions) They have surgical needles 20mm long and mattress needles three metres long.
Seriously, do you have eBay ? and if you do, search for your equivalent of Vintage needles....specify carpet ones....and it might surprise you what comes up
I buy, and use, vintage needles. I have sewn since I was three years old, it's my total chill out; I hand sew.
Modern needles are carp, they're missing some bit of the process, I don't know if it's the hardening, if it's the annealing, but they bend and stay bent, they snap, the eyes are rough (a quick look with a magnifying lens is horrifying on some of them) and the points aren't smooth.
Anything up to the late 1960's is good, after that, well, you might be lucky.
I'm sorry, but I have no idea about Scandinavian needles.
I do have German and Spanish ones though, the German ones are very sound, and the latter are superb.
Yes, Evil Bay has reached its tentacles even here. Though I have ordered things from the Net I for some reason do not feel comfortable with it.
Easy bending means low yield strength and together with easy breaking that tends to point to cheap and inferior material and/or short cuts in heat treatment. Not very promising
I'll go and look for the few special stores that exist and see what they have to offer.
Easy bending means low yield strength and together with easy breaking that tends to point to cheap and inferior material and/or short cuts in heat treatment. Not very promising
I'll go and look for the few special stores that exist and see what they have to offer.
So, a very long time ago I posted a thread of recommendations of needles that I would buy. I am known to be really fussy about the quality of my needles, and the thread was favourably received.
Your thread had me look again for such needles on eBay, and lo and behold, for up came a set from Finland
To me, those are expensive for what I would expect to pay. The seller says there might be a little rust on a few....well good needles are worth rescuing if it's not pitted, just discoloured.
I believe those Queen Victoria needles were Czechoslovakian.
I thought the link interesting enough to let you know
M
Your thread had me look again for such needles on eBay, and lo and behold, for up came a set from Finland
Antique victorian SEWING NEEDLES Queen Victoria lot SILVER 25pcs NEW OLD STOCK | eBay
25pcs needles included.
www.ebay.co.uk
To me, those are expensive for what I would expect to pay. The seller says there might be a little rust on a few....well good needles are worth rescuing if it's not pitted, just discoloured.
I believe those Queen Victoria needles were Czechoslovakian.
I thought the link interesting enough to let you know
M
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I had forgotten that they DO sell needles.
I hoped that they sold needles they had made on site, or at least in the UK but their site says that they stock John James pebbles....those are needle cases of different types of needles....but those needles are made in China for Entaco...supposedly to JJ's specifications, then checked and packed in the UK.
I had forgotten that they DO sell needles.
They're still not as good as the vintage ones
I had a long conversation with JJ a few years back. I sent them a letter with my complaints clearly written out, and exampled by sending them the damaged and unuseable needles I had bought, sold under their name, in their packaging....they had come from JJ.
I got a very polite reply, acknowledging my complaints and saying that their 'team' was going out to China the next month and would take my examples of poor quality needles with them to address the problem.
I believe they are genuinely trying, but the reality is that modern manufacturing isn't as good as it was in the past.
But then, business....and the reality that so few people sew now that the market has shrunk.
Their pebbles are the best we have here that are easily available of modern needles.
DMC ones were awful, despite the hype.
Maybe TLM hit the crux of it and it's just poorer quality metal, but something's not right about the manufacturing and quality control.
I do know that if says Pony on the packaging of needles, of any type, I throw them in the bin.
I know, I know, I'm a fussy besom.
Not really, you just want to have good tools. Like with us more knifey people it tends to get out of hand.
The best modern type needles I have found are Tulip needles made in Japan. They are wonderful.
I have various sizes of Tulip chenille and embroidery needles for my special projects. Obtained from a specialist small embroidery supplier.
Also remember that there's loads of type of needle, you need the right type AND the right size. I also buy the "loose" John James needles which seem better quality than those in the pebbles.
You can also get tradional hand made Japanese needles from suppliers of equipment for traditional Japanese embroidery.......
@TLM You don't mention the materials you are sewing. There are special needle designs for different materials, e.g. a Glovers needle or Harness needle has a special point for sewing leather (and similar types of material). Makes a BIG difference.
GC
I have various sizes of Tulip chenille and embroidery needles for my special projects. Obtained from a specialist small embroidery supplier.
Also remember that there's loads of type of needle, you need the right type AND the right size. I also buy the "loose" John James needles which seem better quality than those in the pebbles.
You can also get tradional hand made Japanese needles from suppliers of equipment for traditional Japanese embroidery.......
@TLM You don't mention the materials you are sewing. There are special needle designs for different materials, e.g. a Glovers needle or Harness needle has a special point for sewing leather (and similar types of material). Makes a BIG difference.
GC
Tulip's are nice, and easily available now too. Shop around for prices though.
My son bought me some. A thoughtful present
However, looking for something else entirely this morning, I tripped across these....both are kind of specialist type needles, but the former are really strong, and the latter will sew up a bird for roasting just as easily as it will upholstery
My son bought me some. A thoughtful present
However, looking for something else entirely this morning, I tripped across these....both are kind of specialist type needles, but the former are really strong, and the latter will sew up a bird for roasting just as easily as it will upholstery
20 Vintage John James Sail Needles In Original Paper Package, 3” Length | eBay
<p>120 Vintage John James sail Needles In Original Paper Package, 3” Length.</p><p>8 cm length, heavy duty, made in England.</p>
www.ebay.co.uk
10 Vintage John James Upholsterer’s Needles In Original Paper Package, 8” Length | eBay
<p>10 Vintage John James Upholsterer’s Needles In Original Paper Package, 8” Length.</p><p>20 cm length, heavy duty, made in England.</p>
www.ebay.co.uk
Wife totally agrees about some modern needles. If you get a rough one you’ll probably have to throw the whole packet but often they are good enough. (She’s a consummate needle woman and just got a first at Uttoxeter Quilt and Embroidery show)
Has anyone tried running a piece of fuse wire (remember that?) through the eye of a rough needle? It sometimes works.
Has anyone tried running a piece of fuse wire (remember that?) through the eye of a rough needle? It sometimes works.
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