This photograph shows my expensive $1 curved needle and my $.20 homemade curved needle.
Daniel took a video of me curving needles for my coptic stitch students. I can't find the video but when I do, I'll place it in this post. For now, I've written instructions below.
To curve needles you will need:
Straight bookbinding needles. I use a darning size 1.
Two pairs of Pliers
A candle or a gas burner
A plate or something to place a hot burning needle on to cool down
You can use a candle but I use a gas stove burner. I take the pot rack holder off so that I can get in close to the burner. I hold a needle with one of the pliers and place the middle part in the flame. When the needle becomes red hot, I take the other pliers and place it on the other side of the needle so that both ends are being held by pliers. I then bend the needle to the angle I would like it at. Place the needle on a plate or on something to cool down. The pliers will be burning hot as well so set them down on a heat resistant surface when you are finished!
Props to Esther K. Smith for teaching me that one :) It saves money and works just as well!
I taught a coptic stitch class on Saturday at the studio above Provo Art & Frame. The students were wonderful and their books turned out beautifully! Thank you to all those who came!
3 comments:
Clever, but simple! Thanks for that, Karleigh-Jae; we can rely on you to come up with some good, inexpensive alternative tools! I may be busy in the kitchen tomorrow... and I won't be cooking!
Great post.
Thanks for this, saved me headaches!
Thanks! I recently started amigurumi, and it's a pain sewing on heads with a straight needle!
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