Creating a Keepsake Needle Case

I was feeling crafty this week, so I decided to go back to Creativebug and find something to create that I could share with you. As a reminder, Creativebug is our library’s fun new database of online video classes for those who love to create, make or DIY. It offers thousands of award-winning art & craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. Whether you are looking to learn a new craft, or brush up on old skills, I’m pretty positive you’ll find something to create with Creativebug.

And it’s all free to use courtesy of CIDL! Have your library card handy as you’ll need it to access this wonderful database. Where will you find Creativebug? Go to our website, cidlibrary.org and click on the Research tab on the blue toolbar of options, then click on the A-Z Database list. Voila! Creativebug. 😊

What I decided to make with you is a Keepsake Needle Case. It’s a handy, safe storage solution for loose needles you may have lying around or stuck into random spools of thread or small pieces of fabric as do I. The instructor in the Creativebug video also explains this needle holder will keep your needles sharp and from rusting. This was a perfect craft for me because it allowed me to use materials I had on hand. I just had to go upstairs and “shop” my craft supplies.

What you’ll need Felt Cotton fabric Decorative label (optional) Ribbon Needle Straight pins Scissors, regular and pinking shears Thread

What’ll You’ll Do First of all, let me say I changed up how I put my needle case together. The video shows the case being made with a sewing machine, but my machine is on the fritz right now, out of service till I get it repaired. So, I went ahead and made the case by sewing it by hand. It took me a bit longer to finish the project, but it’s still an easy one to complete.

You’ll start by cutting the felt and fabric to size. Here again I made a change. The Creativebug instructor’s project measures 7 ¾ inches by 3 inches. I wanted to use a piece of coral colored felt I had that was only six inches long, so mine measures 6 inches by 3 inches. You can make yours any size that works for you.

Decide the size you want your needle case to be, and then make a template or pattern from boxboard of that size. FYI, boxboard is another name for boxes such as cereal or Kleenex boxes. Take a look at my template.

Cut out your template and use it to trace one piece from the felt and one from the fabric.

Place the felt on the wrong side of your fabric. Insert a few pins on each side to hold the felt and fabric together. Sew the two together. If you choose to sew by hand as I did, a simple running stitch will do. You’ll sew about ¼ inch away from the edge, all the way around, on all four sides.

Here’s a brief tutorial on how to do a running stitch if you are unfamiliar with the stitch. I found it at a website called allpeoplequilt.com.

Using your pinking shears, trim the edges all the way around. The zig-zag of the pinking shears will keep the cotton fabric from fraying.

Time to add the ribbon. You’ll want the ribbon to run the long length of the fabric, with about four extra inches in added length. This extra length will serve as sort of a “handle” for the needle keeper. Fold it over at one end, and tuck the end of the ribbon under itself, next to the felt. Pin to hold. Here’s a picture of the loop you’ll get when done to see what I mean.

Sew the ribbon in place, sewing around all four sides. Again, you’ll use the running stitch on this step. FYI, I ended up using two different colors of thread: orange to sew the fabrics together and off-white to sew the ribbon and label on. That was just a personal choice as any thread colors will do.

The instructional video talks about sewing on a vintage clothing label as a decoration. I guess you could check out your closet for a vintage label you might use. Or, you could just skip this step and be done. 😊 It turns out that, as I was digging out my pinking shears from my sewing box, I came across a package of old labels with my full name, Elizabeth, on them. I used to use these back in the day when I actually sewed clothes for people I loved, usually my daughters. Perfect! I used one of these labels as my decoration.

I turned my needle case over and sewed the label on the back, at the top. I didn’t want these stitches to show on the front of my project, so I used a whipstitch. As I was sewing the label on, I was careful to not sew through to the felt, and only caught the cotton fabric as I whipstitched the label on.

And, with that, I was done. I think my needle case turned out pretty well considering I sewed it by hand. I think I'm going to use it a lot. I plan on keeping it handy when I’m mending, cross stitching or embroidering to hold on to my needles as I work. And when I need a needle for sewing on a button, I'll know right where to look to find one.

Per usual, I think these would make great gifts. Quick and easy, you may want to make several to give away.

Are you interested in watching the instructional video at Creativebug that I based this project on? Find it by searching for “Keepsake Needle Case.” It’s located with the beginner sewing classes. There are two short videos with great instructions. Watching the video will no doubt make understanding my directions easier. Or, not even necessary. 😊

If you’d like to try making a needle case but don’t have any felt or fabric or ribbon, I can help you out. I have a decent stash of leftovers from past projects and would be glad to share with you to help get you started. Email me at graib@cidlibrary.org

and I’ll put together a small bag of felt, fabric, and ribbon for you. I can leave them at the circulation desk at CIDL for pick up. You can either come inside to get them or use our curbside pick-up.

Please share with me via email if you do decide to make a needle case. Snap a picture of your case and send it to me. I’d love to show my readers how creative you all are!

Today is National Dog Day! These delightful creatures brighten our lives and make us smile in good times and bad. I think we should celebrate them everyday actually! I will leave you now with pictures of our Baxter and Mr. Rogers, the sweetie that belongs to our daughter Janelle and her boyfriend, Greg. Look at those eyes on Mr. Rogers! I love them, they are so beautiful.

Stay well, my friends. Take care!