Hand Sewing Needles?

[Barb T]

I think the main thing is that the needles I use for pleating are thin and sharp - that way, you can put the needle precisely where you want to put it. Big heavy needles are harder to place precisely.

But, I probably use 4 different size needles for various parts of a kilt. The advice above about a thin needle is mostly about pleating. I use a big honking needle for stitching basting and canvas.

The advice to buy a package and try them out is good advice. But the single best advice I could give is to learn how to use a thimble. It actually speeds up the process considerably and allows you to use a much shorter and finer needle because you don't have to grip the needle to push it through the tartan. Stab, push, pull, in one smooth motion, rather than stab, grip, shove, shift fingers, grip, pull.

[James Hood]

Two extra steps here even to sewing on buttons, which Barb T has managed to do without on infinitely more complex projects...

..."grunt" and "snort", oft repeated especially during the "push" and "pull" steps.

[Barb T]

hahahah - made me giggle.... ;-)

[unixken]

I occasionally add "bleed" to my hand sewing.

[Andrew Breecher]

In addition to a hand sewing needle, I would also highly recommend a tailor's thimble, which has an open top and is worn on the middle finger of your sewing hand. It takes a little bit to get used to, but it will help with speed, accuracy, and you won't get as tired if you sew all day. Some good instructions on how to hold the needle with a thimble in this fashion can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_xkHuJEPU4

[Barb T]

There are lots of kinds of thimbles, and the main thing is to find one that feels comfortable and fits well so that you actually learn how to use it and then use it whenever you're stitching kilts. Many people wear a thimble on the ring finger. I wear mine on my middle finger. Neither is right or wrong - whatever works well for you is what you should do.

Personally, I'm not fond of metal thimbles. The one I liked best is a leather one that Dritz used to sell with an interior metal reinforcing (plain leather just wears through too fast). They no longer make it, but it's very simple to make one for yourself, and I've made many for myself and other people since Dritz discontinued them a decade ago. I like them because they are adjustable, they aren't slippery, and they don't make my fingernails ache. Here's a post I made several years ago on how to make this kind of thimble:

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...thimble-18607/