Friday 17 October 2008

Needle Guards

Does any one sew with a needle guard on their machine?
Picture from Husqvarnaviking.com
Tomorrow I'm buying a guard......so tomorrow I will answer.........."Yes- I do"!
I had a bit of a scare last night. I was sewing and the needle broke. I know - happens to everyone, it really doesn't sound like a big deal. Normally the needle just breaks and partly stays in the machine, hooked up on the thread, falls into the bobbin area! This time a piece of the needle flew into my eye. Ouch! I carefully removed it ( with hubby's help). Lucky for me it only scratched my eye. There was no damage done. It was just irritable most of the night. This is the first time something like this has ever happened to me.
My "Designer 1" machine really can handle the layers of fabric, but for some reason this was the third needle I broke since starting my coat.
When I took a class from a local college, we had to wear safety glasses when using the industrial machines. I think a needle guard at home will be fine. Not sure if it will be annoying but I'm going to give it a try cause it really did scare me.

15 comments:

Patricia said...

I have had needles break while I was using the machine and fly into or close to my eyes as well. Now I sew wearing my reading glasses with estra protective things down the arms if I think it might be dangerous. I am interested in how your guard works out for you.

Patricia said...

Umm, I meant "extra" protective things. Sorry

Meg said...

Yes, moi aussi, I'd like to see how you like sewing with it and whether it hampers the fabric feed or not. Needles breaking are scary!

Summerset said...

Yikes! That's scary - I do hope you're ok. I don't sew with a needle guard and have broken quite a few needles in my sewing career, but nothing like what you described. I think that for this project a needle guard is a great idea. Let us know how it works out!

Cennetta said...

I hope you're okay. The incident that you described has cross my mine. I go through a lot of sewing machine needle. A few times bits of the needle hit me on the face. Please do tell how the needle fairs while sewing.

Faye Lewis said...

I am so glad that you are doing ok! That was really scary, and could happen without notice at any time. Is the needle guard only made for your machine, or will it fit all machines. I've never heard of it before.

Linda L said...

That sounds scary. I have had needles break but not fly into my face. I did not know Viking had a needle guard. Might be a good idea for me to consider as well. Glad you did not damage your eye!

Tany said...

I've never seen or heard about needle gards before... Thank God you didn't get hurt when the needle broke.

Hugs to you

Diana said...

My goodness ,Ann! I've never heard of this happening to anyone before. I wear glasses so I guess they would prevent that for me. So glad it wasn't too serious.

Linda said...

Ann,
How scary! Thank goodness nothing serious happened. I am sufficiently blind enough that I have to wear reading glasses when I sew. The last time my needle broke it did bounce up and almost hit me, so I can relate to your desire for a needle guard. Better safe than sorry. I am glad that all ended well.

Mon Café Couture said...

Ca fait vraiment peur, mais ce genre de choses ne m'est jamais arrivé. C'est vraiment curieux, et cet engin de protection c'est qqchose que je ne connaissais pas du tout.

lorrwill said...

I have had bits of flying needle hit me in the glasses! I am very, very glad you were only scratched.

I wear light shop safety glasses when I sew at the machine (or do wire cutting for jewelry making).

My Dad worked for OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health) when I was growing up. I got to hear some horror stories. I have also worked in the office of a manufacturing plant where a permanent eye injury took place - because the guy forgot to put on his safety glasses.

So both have resulted in some positive safety habits on my part. I know I probably look very silly in my safety glasses but it is far better than what could go wrong.

Ann Made Studio said...

Thank you all for your comments. It does appear that this is something that does not happen often, but it does happen. So since this incident I now wear my safety glasses. It felt a little strange at first but now when I do sew, I reach for the glasses and I really don't mind wearing them :)

Ruth said...

Makes me realize that it's a good thing I wear glasses! I'm glad your eye was only scratched.

EvaDress said...

I am always rather paranoid that this will happen as well, which makes me glad I am a nerdy girl who prefers to wear her glasses at all times versus using contacts and the like, but I still go on caution mode thinking a piece of broken needle may fly behind my glasses somehow, ha!
I look forward to how the needle guard works out for you.