Quality assurance in sewing a textile sewn sequentially in a plurality of workstations (11) can be provided using a carriage 14 that can be moved between the workstations (11). Should a needle (12) break off in a workstation (11), the carriage (14) is moved to this workstation (11). The fragments (13) of the needle (12) are arranged in the container (20) and once it has been established that all the fragments (13) have been removed from the workstation (11) a replacement needle is provided for this workstation. The container (20) has an accommodation space (21) delimited by a main body (22) and a lid (23). A retaining magnet (34) is arranged in the region of a base (32) of the main body (22) extending along one axis (A) to retain magnetizable fragments (13) of a needle (12).

An accessories box (10) for a sewing machine (20) having a fastening device (30). The accessories box (10) has a bottom element (11), which is designed to bear against a base (21) of a housing (22) of the sewing machine (20). The bottom element (11) includes a recess (12), in which the fastening device (30) is received, the fastening device (30) contains a magnetic or magnetizable element (13) and/or a mating element (23).

An accessories box (10) for a sewing machine (20) having a fastening device (30). The accessories box (10) has a bottom element (11), which is designed to bear against a base (21) of a housing (22) of the sewing machine (20). The bottom element (11) includes a recess (12), in which the fastening device (30) is received, the fastening device (30) contains a magnetic or magnetizable element (13) and/or a mating element (23).

A four-outer-walled, flat-sided container comprised of a lid and a base, with the majority of the base being an isolated interior storage compartment for handicraft needles and/or miscellaneous other items, either of which are only accessible by opening the lid of the container, and with the balance of the space of the base housing an exterior limited-storage component which can mechanically and independently open-and-close and which presents immediate external access to one or more handicraft needles or other predetermined items without having to open the lid of the container, while none of the needles or other predetermined items or miscellaneous items in any part of the container are an actual part of the invention, is disclosed.

A caddy for sewing items includes a hollow housing, and first/second elongated permanent magnets contained in the housing. The second magnet is arranged in parallel to and spaced from the first magnet. The housing includes first/second attracting surfaces and an elongated groove between the first and second attracting surfaces. The first magnet has an upper surface S-pole corresponding to the first attracting surface, and the second magnet has an upper surface N-pole corresponding to the second attracting surface. The groove extends in parallel to the first/second magnets and has a first longitudinal edge connected to the first attracting surface and a second longitudinal edge connected to the second attracting surface. The first and second longitudinal edges are curved so that their center portion is higher than other portions as viewed in the direction in which the first/second magnets are spaced apart from each other.

A caddy for sewing items includes a hollow housing, and first/second elongated permanent magnets contained in the housing. The second magnet is arranged in parallel to and spaced from the first magnet. The housing includes first/second attracting surfaces and an elongated groove between the first and second attracting surfaces. The first magnet has an upper surface S-pole corresponding to the first attracting surface, and the second magnet has an upper surface N-pole corresponding to the second attracting surface. The groove extends in parallel to the first/second magnets and has a first longitudinal edge connected to the first attracting surface and a second longitudinal edge connected to the second attracting surface. The first and second longitudinal edges are curved so that their center portion is higher than other portions as viewed in the direction in which the first/second magnets are spaced apart from each other.

A carrier body has a core suitable for receiving a needle tip through one end. A pair of flanges extends outwardly from the core, defining an interflange gap for having thread from the needle wound in the gap. The flange nearer the entry end of the core defines a radial slot receiving thread from the needle eye and passing it into the interflange gap. When the thread is wound on the core, the radial slot prevents having thread from also winding around the needle. The carrier body is configured to enter an open-topped container body in a predetermined position displaying the radial slot and thread at a preselected location for ready viewing of the thread.

Described herein are embodiments of a yarn-carrying and dispensing apparatus. The embodiments described allow knitters to easily transport, carry and use balls of yarn for knitting and other knitting materials. The embodiments prevent the ball of yarn from rolling away or getting tangled or intertwined. The embodiments also easily and smoothly dispense the yarn, making the knitting more efficient and easier for the knitter. The embodiments provide additional elements to accommodate a knitter: (i) a ruler allowing, for example, to measure a knitting sampler; (ii) a needle gauge and needle openings, allowing, for example, to measure the size of a needle; and (3) an insert allowing, for example, to hold one or more balls of yarn.

A pincushion includes an inner container, a cushioning material, a flexible sheet material, an elastic ring member and a cylindrical outer cover. The inner container has a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion standing upright from the bottom wall portion. The side wall portion has an opening at its upper part. The cushioning material is provided in the inner container. The sheet material covers part of the cushioning material that projects upward from the opening of the side wall portion. The ring member is fitted onto the side wall portion of the inner container with the hem of the sheet material interposed between the ring member and the side wall portion. The outer cover is fitted around the side wall portion of the inner container such that its inner face is in contact with the elastic ring member.

A pincushion includes an inner container, a cushioning material, a flexible sheet material, an elastic ring member and a cylindrical outer cover. The inner container has a bottom wall portion and a side wall portion standing upright from the bottom wall portion. The side wall portion has an opening at its upper part. The cushioning material is provided in the inner container. The sheet material covers part of the cushioning material that projects upward from the opening of the side wall portion. The ring member is fitted onto the side wall portion of the inner container with the hem of the sheet material interposed between the ring member and the side wall portion. The outer cover is fitted around the side wall portion of the inner container such that its inner face is in contact with the elastic ring member.