I got so many great suggestions to my recent post where I asked about what needles you all prefer for hand sewing bindings. Carol raved about these Black Gold needles by Clover and swore they go through multiple layers of fabric "like buttah".
I have decided that I do prefer a shorter needle when I sew bindings, so I was interested in trying these. I ordered a pack from Amazon, and you know them, the delivery came a couple of days later. So here is what I think:
First of all, you only get 6 of them in the pack, and at $7.00, that is more than $1.00 per needle. "Hmmm", I thought. "They better be worth it". You only see five above because I had removed one to try it.
Here is a size comparison. The Clover Black Gold #9 Sharp is the upper one, and the Primitive Gatherings Binding Needle is below it. I found the PG needle way too long for my liking, so the size of the Clover looked very good to me.
Carol had warned that they were ridiculously difficult to thread, due to the very small eye. I can't thread a needle with a large eye on my best day, and always depend on needle threaders to get the job done. I was afraid that my needle threader might not fit through the teensy eye on the Black Gold needle, but after a few tries, it went through! So far, great.
The verdict? I have never sewn with a better needle. They do glide effortlessly through layers of fabric and are a pleasure to sew with. I highly recommend them. Carol, thank you so much for your excellent suggestion! I think a lot of people will benefit from it. I love them for bindings, but you gals who enjoy hand applique will be over the moon.
Hurray! OK you made my day. My heart is with you on all of those bindings... and you may want to revisit appliqué now, too! A million hugs.
Posted by: Carol | March 03, 2021 at 04:38 AM
Good to know. I have binding you do in my near future. Just ordered a pack.
Posted by: Julie | March 03, 2021 at 05:22 AM
Fat Quarter Shop has them on sale this month for $3.49
Posted by: Linda S | March 03, 2021 at 07:26 AM
Great tip, thank you so much!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Kastner | March 03, 2021 at 07:51 AM
Good to know! Thanks for Carol's input & your doing the investigation! I'll go take a look at FQS's sale as a bonus! Stay well!
Posted by: Jan | March 03, 2021 at 09:18 AM
I definitely prefer shorter needle. Longer needles just get bent. :(
Posted by: Ina | March 03, 2021 at 11:00 AM
It always surprises me how much difference such a small thing can make. Thanks for sharing your thoughts,they'll go on my next order.
Posted by: Robby H. | March 03, 2021 at 11:49 AM
I love the Black Gold needles but find they break easily. I rarely break other needles.
Posted by: Barbara Bennett | March 03, 2021 at 12:41 PM
Thanks for the review and I'll definitely try them!
Posted by: T Holzer | March 03, 2021 at 03:32 PM
I'd also like to suggest you turn your quilt so you are approaching it as though you were hemming a skirt for ease in stitching.
Posted by: lhs4664@q.com | March 04, 2021 at 02:30 AM
Thanks for the update on binding needles. I'll definitely put them on my list.
Posted by: Donna | March 04, 2021 at 03:25 AM
Oooo good review! I will have to try them out! Thanks Carol!
Posted by: Anita | March 04, 2021 at 10:54 AM
Thanks for this review. Will definitely try them!
Posted by: Debbie R. | March 05, 2021 at 06:22 AM
Hi Carol, I use the black gold needle all the time for applique and love love love them. I use a clover needle threader and no problem. They were recommended to me back in 2013 when , on a quilt tour to Houston, a lady in our group was there because she co-won the Baltimore applique quilt section and she said the one thing she recommended was these needles ( her quilt took 5 years in the making !). In Australia these needles sell for anywhere from AU$9-11 per pack, but I think they are worth it. Best wishes, Suzanne
Posted by: SUZANNE SIMPSON | March 07, 2021 at 11:20 PM