At my last Japanese embroidery class, I discovered I had a treasure in my tool box...
It's placed in a special place on my needle felt above, the bottom left.
It's a round-eyed, handmade Japanese embroidery needle used for stitching twisted threads.
They are not made by hand anymore. The man that used to make them died and there was no one there to learn his craft.
They have a round eye because the shaft of the needle is of equal width for the entire length of the needle except for the little bit around the eye. You can see it below on the side view.
The needle maker would have taken a hammer and tapped just the tip of the needle where the eye was to flatten it.
This needle keeps the fabric open longer than the flatter-eyed needle on the right to allow for the passing of the twisted thread through the fabric.
It's a precious needle. No longer made anymore.
To me, it's worthy of finding someone to pass it on to when I leave this earth.
Who would of thought that something so small could be so precious.
Happy day to you all.
It's placed in a special place on my needle felt above, the bottom left.
It's a round-eyed, handmade Japanese embroidery needle used for stitching twisted threads.
They are not made by hand anymore. The man that used to make them died and there was no one there to learn his craft.
They have a round eye because the shaft of the needle is of equal width for the entire length of the needle except for the little bit around the eye. You can see it below on the side view.
The needle maker would have taken a hammer and tapped just the tip of the needle where the eye was to flatten it.
This needle keeps the fabric open longer than the flatter-eyed needle on the right to allow for the passing of the twisted thread through the fabric.
It's a precious needle. No longer made anymore.
To me, it's worthy of finding someone to pass it on to when I leave this earth.
Who would of thought that something so small could be so precious.
Happy day to you all.
Susan,
ReplyDeleteI love the wooden box that your needle felt and scissors are housed in. Where did you find it? Also, what are you keeping your rolls of silk in? A tie box?
When I took my teaching course through EGA I had to write a paper on The History and Manufacturing Process of Needles and what a wonderful experience it was! May sound silly but it opened up my eyes to just how magical these little things are; a simple unique invention that has truly changed the world!
ReplyDeleteI think your time in Japan, and your studies of not just their work, but also their reverence for their tools had has a profound and lasting impact on you, and I think I love those posts the most.
I doubt you will have to look far for a suitable recipient either - the sharing of your creativity with all your nieces is bound to light the same spark in at least one of them!
How funny, we were talking about these round eye needles just two weeks ago. I will be going to Kyoto soon and will try to locate a needle shop that someone found on the internet. I was asked to see if they have any round eye needles there.
ReplyDeleteHow lucky you are to have such a treasure.
Who knew, indeed? I've not been a student of needles and didn't know there were round-eyed ones. What a treasure!
ReplyDeleteWow truly a great treasure..
ReplyDeleteI love it so much xx
This little round eye needle is very interesting. I am not familiar with hand made needles but I can honestly say I truly honor the old ways of how craftsmen made things. You do have a treasure. You obviously take very good care of your tools my dear. Blissful Stitching...
ReplyDeleteI've heard of round-eyed needles, but didn't know there were hand-made ones. Yours is unique.
ReplyDeleteIt's sad when any art is lost with the death of it's creator. So sad. I'm happy for you though, that you have this piece to pass on to another generation. A long time from now though, ok?
ReplyDeleteThat truly is a treasure!
ReplyDeleteI love knowing the history of things. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.. What a treasure you have.
ReplyDeleteit indeed sounds like a treasure. Where did you get/find it and how did you come to own such a needle? Also how did you discover that it was a treasure as it sounds like it was in your possession and you were unaware of just how precious it is. How did you discover what it is?
ReplyDeleteWe truly take needles and pins for granted.. Pioneer women guarded their pins and needles and if their needles broke they might have had to wait months for a traveling peddler and the cost for needles and pins were dear. I try to remember that when I find my scattered all over my rug! I am so much more in love with my little needlebook every time I use it and especially the labels. Ger
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful discovery! The Japanese needles are so good to work with, aren't they!
ReplyDeleteA fascinating post.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of round eye needles before..
It is sad that the needle-making skill has now been lost.
There are not many people who would actually understand passion for a needle - but there are some of us around. The problem is that I really find it difficult to walk past a new packet of needles, especially the tiny quilting ones with the gold head. I'm sure you will treasure your needle for ever.
ReplyDeleteAlways a treat to see your posts ~ I always learn something!
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