Continuous thread needle case

I don't know about you but there are times I get sick of continuously threading needles.  Like, when I am tacking a quilt or sewing paper piecing shapes by hand.  Then I saw some one with a continuous thread needle case and had to design one for myself.  I'm not sure what dimensions theirs was but I wanted one just to hold the thread and another that I could have the thread and a thimble.  So this is my take on the one I saw.

I have made mine from scraps of fabric and wadding together with old buttons for trim and some left over ribbon for the closure.  If you were going to buy the fabric a couple of fat 1/8ths would get you 2 needle cases.  I think I prefer the smaller version and this is the pattern included. For the wider version just make the pattern 1" (3cm) wider and if you think you want more then 10 needles extend the length.

You can down load Download Needle and Cotton holder with the free pattern here.

I used a main fabric and a contrast for the suffolk puffs.   I also used 45mm Clover puff maker, but I have included a pattern for this if you don't have one.  If you haven't used one of these tools there are lots of videos on You Tube to show you how but personally I have given up sewing puffs by hand the tool is just so quick and easy and every puff is the same as the one before and after it.  This is a link to a tutorial by Pat Sloan.  

So, I cut out my puffs, pulled them up, sewed the button in place in the middle and set them aside.

When making the tounge, on the inner facing piece I took my piece of flannel, with the edges pinked and stitched it into position using a straight stitch on my machine.

With my main fabric and lining, right sides together, and the wadding behind this, I stitched a 1/4" seam around the edge leaving an opening to turn the fabric through to the right side after trimming back the fabric. I then turned it through, and ironed it flat.  (very important, the ironing.)

Now I find that I like to add my ribbon into the seam after I have turned the fabric through.  This mean I have to undo a few stitches in the middle of the curved end and push my ribbon into position.  Then I stitch close to the edge all the way around.  This closes the turn through opening and attaches the ribbon.

Now it is time for hand stitching those puffs into position.  You want the button on the outside. Start at the straight edge corner of your tongue and any position on the puff and over sew the two edges together leaving enough of the puff un-sewn to allow you to put your cotton into the space created.  This will change according to the size of the cotton reel you are using.

On the second case I sewed the puff on the inside of the tongue picking up fabric from the puff and the inside of the tongue.

I found that this gave a neater finish but this is purely a personal preference.

Now thread up your needles with your cotton, do not cut the cotton, just thread all the needles continuously.  Now you are ready to go.  Take your needle and pull the cotton through to the length required before cutting the thread.  Continue like this with each needle and then start again.

These are very quick and cheap to construct and would make a great gift for a sewing friend and think of all the scraps you could use.

Comments

[RachelandDesign]

This is a really useful idea for anyone who uses a lot of the same thread!

[Carolyn Foley]

Like me. I made one for my friend who travels back to England a few times a year and she said it is great for sewing on the plane.

[Pamela Allen]

Great idea! I'm going to have to try to make one of these!