When working on a hand quilting frame that rolls the quilt to expose the next area to quilt, you may find that you have to decide how to deal with the needle. You can tie off the thread and remove the needle. You could leave the needle and thread attached, but sometimes it's hard to find where you left off or the needle falls off.

I put the needle and some of the thread down inside a needle holder with a snap-on lid. It holds the needle and thread until you roll your quilt up in the frame to that area where you are ready to go again. It saves time without dropping the needle or having it come unthreaded.

You can use any lightweight container with a snap-on lid as a needle case. When I go to the doctor for a shot, I ask him for the container the needle came in. It is great for holding your needle and thread so you don't lose it. I have several and use them to hold my needle and thread when I hand quilt at the point where I can't reach any longer.

Thanks for sharing your good ideas with us, LaVena. I bet many needle holders from doctors and hospitals will be recycled into sewing items now.

- Sharon

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