Replies

1. 
   ChrisHaynes | Mar 04, 2003 02:08am | #1

   If you find them I'd like to know too!!!

   I tried my local quilt shop... but only managed to get gold-plated needles.  Also catalog/Internet places like Clotilde no longer carry them!!!

   I have one platinum needle left... I am guarding it carefully.

   AAAARGH!!!

   PS:  for anyone else lurking --- stay away from cheap jewelry, especially any mass-produced gold pieces.  These tend to have lots of nickel for hardening.  Nickel allergy is quite common, and resetting my wedding set increased my sensitivity from minor to major.  Unfortunately hand needles are coated with nickel (which is why we seek platinum or gold plated needles... which seem to only come in teeny tiny short quilt betweens or blunt tapestry needles).

1. 
   Crafty_Manx | Mar 05, 2003 08:27pm | #2

   I had the same problem when I was playing the flute back in high scool...I had an allergy to my first instrument (which was really bad since it had to be right next to my mouth)!  Since then I've learned to stay away from nickel as much as possible!

   Good luck with the needle search!!

   ~Cat

1. 
   ChrisHaynes | Mar 06, 2003 09:00pm | #3

   Ah... yes another way to get exposed to nickel, which is a very common allergen (along with chromium).  Too bad it is used to often... my mother-in-law gave us her first violin for my daughter when she outgrows the half-size.  The windings on the bow are nickel instead of the typical silver, sigh (I may buy her a new bow when the time comes... they can cost as much or more than a violin).

   I've just about given up on needles... though I gave the reply from Threads to my query a few months ago to someone in my local Pacific Fabrics store.  Turns out she is allergic to nickel also... so she faxed to their headquarters.

   I also went to my local needlework store (sells cross stitch, tapestry and other supplies... stuff I don't do).  The very nice owner there pulled out her order catalog and we went through it looking for gold and platinum needles.  Unfortunately we only found quilt betweens and tapestry.  She carries the tapestry needles because she does have customers who are allergic to the others... so there is a demand.

   I think we need to make some of the vendors aware of the problem...

   But in the mean time I have been checking into gloves. 

   Let's seet: 

   http://www.fingergloves.com ... okay, but I need to trim to the first finger joint, and my finger tips sweat in them

   Quilter's Gloves:  knit gloves with rubberized finger tips (http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?g_id=391001) --- a bit better for controlling perspiration, but a bit clumsy for most hand sewing.   Also the needle can poke through it a bit

   THEN... I went to a Value Village store and bought an old pair of what were once very nice kid leather gloves.  They were so old that the leather tore near the thumb when I put them on.  But they still covered my finger tips and are so far the best solution.

   I'm still not done searching.  I'm thinking of trying goatskin thimbles (unfortunately I need a minimum of 4... noting how many fingers actually touch the hand needle when I used the Fingergloves).  Also, I am thinking of going to a local photography store to check out the thin white gloves used to handle archival material.

1. 
   JeanetteR | Mar 07, 2003 12:35am | #4

   Hello All,

   Jeanette again in Australia.  Our two local chain stores for fabrics and all that stuff, Spotlight and Lincraft stock these platinum needles....I don't think they sell many as they are about $9 Aus retail for a pack of two....if there are no suppliers Stateside, I'd be very happy to shop here for anyone, and buy them all up!!!!.

   As keen hand quilters could you please tell me what is special about using the platinum needles, do they work better, or just have a lovely feel in the hand?

   If you'd like me to follow up, I'll check out the exact price and sizes available, it would be my pleasure to help.

   Jeanette

1. 
   ChrisHaynes | Mar 07, 2003 03:41am | #5

   I do not quilt... I am allergic to nickel, a fairly common allergy.  Nickel is used to coat most needles.  Needles that are coated in platinum to not cause allergic reactions.

   It seems gold and platinum needles at this point are available for two types of hand sewing dependent crafts:  quilting betweens and tapestry needles

   Which is frustrating for me... since I do need to use hand needles for such things has a nice hem, sewing on buttons and other things.

2. 
   JeanetteR | Mar 07, 2003 07:24am | #6

   Chris and All,

   Well i phoned Spotlight this morning, and they have just the quilting style platinum needles in sizes 9,10 or 12, two in each packet at $9.65 (Aus).  I know they have a very small eye to thread as I use 12s for beading in my stumpwork embroidery, but for those with allergies, if it means being able to hand sew at all or not, it must be worth it.  A #12 sharps (or quilter)  is just a little finer to a #10 Crewel ,which I use for most of the embroidery with one strand of silk and all my hand finishing with normal machine thread.

   This works out at about $5 US each pack, happy to go shopping for you if they are simply not available more locally!

   Jeanette

3. 
   ChrisHaynes | Mar 07, 2003 07:39pm | #7

   Unfortunately since quilting betweens are so teeny tiny (a real pain to hem denim with) and the tapestry needles are too blunt...

   I'm still exploring the use of gloves.  Later today I will be sewing rings on to roman shades wearing the old pair of leather gloves I bought at Value Village.  The thread I'm using is too thick to go through the eye of a quilting needle.

   I just wish that needles were NOT coated in nickel (about one out of 10 to 15 women are allergic to nickel).

   Edited 3/7/2003 11:42:42 AM ET by Chris