Clover Domed Threaded Needle Case Product Review

This clever gadget was suggested to me when I was asking about stitching during my infusions. I had seen it in the past, but I ignored it. That’s because I figured it was like those automatic needle threaders that won’t work for tapestry needles. Was I ever wrong!

It’s a fantastic device that can change your stitching life. Yes, it’s that good!

The device has two parts. The base is cream and blue. It’s covered by a clear dome for transport and storage. The base has a blue circle with slots at the top and notches around the rim, 10 in all. Needles go into the slots and the thread goes into the notches. The cream base has one slot and the rest is rimmed so everything stays inside the carrier.

To use the case, thread your needle. Stick the needle into one of the slots and put the thread through the notch in the blue and out the slot in the cream. Now start to turn the blue circle (it will only turn one way). As you turn the thread gets taken up through the slot and sits in the trough between the cream rim and the blue circle. It’s easy to do and the case has instructions on the back of the package. There are also YouTube videos showing you how to do this.

I had my doubts. I wondered if threads would get tangled when loaded this way. I fully loaded the case and used it in my stitching one evening recently. It had a variety of threads. I pulled needles from many locations as I stitched. There were no tangles and I was able to pull every thread out cleanly and easily.

I also wondered if tapestry needles would be too thick or too long for the case. Although it can sometimes be difficult to find exactly the longer hole inside the slit, there is plenty of space for a #20 needle to fit inside. (I did not try it with #18 needles, they may be too long, but I don’t think so) I always tried to push the needle in all the way when I first inserted it. If it did not go through I would push it again or reinsert it and push before I put on the dome. It is a minor flaw.

This will work with straight needles for sewing, quilting, needlepoint, and embroidery. It will not work with curved tip needles like those used for Temari, the thick needles used to sew knitted pieces together, sewing machine needles, traditional (long) beading needles, or plastic needles. If you use any of these kinds of needles, don’t use this.

I also worried about the security of the top. It doesn’t have anything securing it. It just gets placed on top of the base. In testing it, I loaded it up and took it with me in my tote bag or a car trip. It did not open. I could see that if it got jostled lots it might come open. Keep it in your project bag and you should be OK most of the time. Even if the top came off the construction would keep most of the threads corraled.

When to Use The Carrier

Obviously, the Clover Dome Threaded Needle Case is designed for places where you can’t thread a needle (like in the Infusion Center). As someone noted, it’s hard to thread a needle one-handed. But it isn’t the only place where this is handy to have around.

Think of other places where it’s tricky to thread a needle: in the car, in low light in hotel rooms or when watching TV, stitching in bed, in airplanes. I could also see that you could use this to pre-thread needles for needle-blending because the slots are numbered. It would be good when you are using threads that are hard to ply. Ply them somewhere where the light us bright, load up the case and stitch with ease.

Last night I went back to stitching the old way without it and I really missed it. I think this case will be a regular item in my project bags from now on.