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Needles
1-5
Here
are a few guidelines I use for selecting the appropriate needle
for the task.
| 1
Quilting/Betweens |
Available
in many stores - not available from Grande Design |
 I
use a size 10 or 12 depending upon what I find. Some manufactures
break easier than others. If you find the needle bending
or breaking, you should switch to another brand. My favorites
are Piecemakers and Richard Hemmings.
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| 2
Chenille |
Size
22 or Size 24 or Size 26
$1.25 per package |
 Best
for 4mm & 7mm silk ribbon. Use this simple test to select
the perfect needle for your ribbon: Thread the ribbon
through the eye - roll the eye of the needle and the two
tales of the ribbon between your thumb and first finger.
If you feel more ribbon than needle, you need to get a
bigger needle. The diameter of the needle should match
the diameter of the ribbon as it is pulled through your
foundation fabric. If the needle is smaller, your ribbon
will fray and it will be harder to make the stitches.
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| 3
Darners |
Available
in many stores - not available from Grande Design |
|
 A
heavier needle is perfect for 11mm silk ribbon, rayon
ribbon (sold years ago as seam binding), and other heavier
ribbons. When I first used these larger needles, I was
afraid there would be huge holes in my foundation fabric.
After the first few stitches, I was amazed at how
easily the ribbon when through the fabric and the effect
was perfect. Esther's has a great variety pack of needles.
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| 4
Milliners |
$1.25
per package |
 I
use a size 9 or 10 depending upon what I find. Again,
there is a difference based on the manufacturer. My favorites
are Piecemakers, Richard Hemmings, and Roxanne.
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| 5
Pins |
½"
Appliqué Pins $2.50 |
Many
years ago I took a class where the instructor used ½"
sequin pins for appliqué. Her rationale was the
smaller the pin the less to get in the way. It took me
a while to get used to them - now I would not use anything
else. The best are from Nifty Notions.
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