Bulk sewing needles

[houseoftang]

It crossed my mind that anything small and made of metal that takes any kind of real work to make will be very valuable when manufacturing takes a break.  Fishing hooks came to mind (thus my thread on 'em), and sewing needles also came to mind.  Bone needles suck.

So I thought to stock up on some.  I went to Wally World and got a few packs of 25 various small needles for 66 cents.  But I figured I could go whole hog and get a real bulk pack from a place like this:  http://steinlaufandstoller.com/Hand%20Sewing%20Needles.htm

A thousand needles without all the plastic crap around 'em.  That's a doomer dream.

What sizes would be the best to consider, however?  I'm not expert on sewing--I just like the smaller, sharper ones for the rough fabrics I tend to sew, and I'm just careful not to bend 'em.  Are there specific sizes to consider?  Most of the multi-packs I've seen have stuff I have little use for, like those massive darning needles.

How about unsharpened needles?

What's a wise doomer to stock?

As an aside, my first PO related purchase was a package of Dritz needles.  I figured I'd get better ones if I were going to be using them my whole life rather than throwing them away when they break.

[Princess]

Hmmm. A variety of sewing needles are important, but if you have a sewing machine you should include a stash of needles for the machine.

[Rain23]

If it was me, I'd want a slightly larger one with a flatter eye, easier to run larger thread through.   And at least one big, honking one that would work on leather and the edges of shoes and things (they're curved, and you make the holes with an awl first).

They sell pincushions with emory thingies to keep your needles sharp, just run the needle point in a couple times before you leave it in the pincushion.

Best of all, while they're cheap and easy to find, some needle threaders.  But your eyes are probably younger than mine.      

[houseoftang]

If it was me, I'd want a slightly larger one with a flatter eye, easier to run larger thread through.   And at least one big, honking one that would work on leather and the edges of shoes and things (they're curved, and you make the holes with an awl first).

That's a very good point.  I saw the curved ones and didn't know what they were for. 

Best of all, while they're cheap and easy to find, some needle threaders.  But your eyes are probably younger than mine.

Naw, it'll never be hard to get a needle threader/dish washer/corn husker/etc.  Even if I'm somehow unable to father one I could always adopt.

Wait, what exactly is this "needle threader" that you speak of?

[Cornelian]

A needle threader is difficult to describe - I've always found them fairly useless even with my bad eyes. I just tried googling them to find an image, but for some reason my connection is very slow today and I gave up in disgust and decided I hated them even more. LOL

My sewing kit is well stocked - don't forget your safety pins!

[Rain23]

Wait, what exactly is this "needle threader" that you speak of?

ROFL.  We could grow our own lawnmower, too.  Already have the scythe part. 

In case you're really wondering, it's a metal disc with a thin wire folded up attached.  You insert the folded wire through the eye of your needle, then you run your thread into the fold, and pull the wire back out dragging the thread through the eye of the needle with it.   You'll usually have time to sew up your clothes in the evening, and that little eye is hard to hit by candlelight (trust me, it will shrink as you get older). 

[justanouveaufarmer]

Here's a picture of one:  http://www.maxiaids.com/store/prodView.asp?utm_source=Froogle&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Froogle&idAff=15225&idproduct=1368

The older I get the more use mine gets.  It's not always easy to find a kid to do it.  I love them and thank you for the reminder, I need to stock up. 
Any fabric store carries them, usually for less than a buck.  Even walmart has them.

I would get a variety.  Not so many of the tiny ones but plenty of middle size ones.  I like the pincushions filled with sand that sharpen the needles when you stick them in.  Also, I'm stocking up on knitting needles and yarn.  I'll need something to make me look busy on those long winter nights when my husband is bored. 

[houseoftang]

Here's a picture of one:

Oh, that's what those things are.  I could probably make some, too.  I have a bunch of thin copper wire, and I could scrounge some from motors and whatnot.  Tie that to a washer and you're all set.  I suppose those would be useful to have around.

[FishsurferIII]

Don't forget that sewing needles are also going to be important for sewing your skin up too!  Get some little thin ones that you can bend into an arc shape for biting into the skin for suturing. 

[justanouveaufarmer]

yeah, I'm looking forward to that.   

Note to self, stock up on more tequila






lots more








WAAAAY MORE

[FishsurferIII]

Get some lidocaine w/ epi and without, and a syringe, you wont feel a thing.

[freedom]

Also, I'm stocking up on knitting needles and yarn.  I'll need something to make me look busy on those long winter nights when my husband is bored. 

God forbid, you should be like your avatar and become extinct