Hand Sewing Needles - which to buy?

theoretica

Possibly my most used other tool is a stitch/seam ripper.

SandyShores

Thanks theoretica, yes!  definitely!   I'm in no way a seamstress but I've had mine for years and it has been invaluable.  I've somehow ended up with two others, so DD has one of those in her box now, together with a needle threader (somehow had two of those as well).  My near sight isn't great these days so I've been looking at some more fancy needle threaders - there's a Prym 'needle fairy' for about a fiver.  Although my new needles have a slightly larger eye than my old ones so I'll check first.  I've also added a measuring tape, and I ought to add a few spare buttons - they were another thing that really came in handy (and the seam ripper is great for getting the old button thread off clothes).  And come to think of it I might have to add some of that double sided sticky tape for clothes as well - its pretty useful for quick hem repairs.

SandyShores

Thanks for all the replies.  I have pins, needles and the scissors arrived and are great first scissors.  Small, but will be good first fabric scissors.

Naturelover22

I love the small Milward scissors, very nice and sharp. Good luck in your sewing endeavours, having good tools really helps

joedenise

Bit of a late reply as only just seen this but with eye sight not so good you can get self threading needles.  My friend bought me some a while back and they are brilliant.  Sorry don't know what make they are but you just lay the thread across the top and pull down and somehow it ends up in the eye of the needle.