Okay, even though the size of each sewing machine needle is engraved on the needle shank itself, it’s nearly impossible to read. What is that, like a 4 point font or something?!

But sometimes I take a needle out of my machine before it’s used up and ready to throw away. How do I keep track of the size?

I labeled the different sections of this tomato pincushion with a marker. There’s a section for ball point needle sizes 11 and 14, and regular needles in sizes 11, 14, and 16, plus one unlabeled section for miscellaneous needles. And when I’m swapping out a sewing machine needle that I plan to use again later, I make sure to put it in the correct section of the pincushion. That way, I don’t have to attempt to read the tiny print on the needle shank.

This is not the type of pincushion that I use for my actual pins, however. I am still in love with a DIY magnetic pincushion that I came up with a few years ago.