Shop

Situated in the Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre is the shop and entrance to the museum.

Our shop sells a range of unique gifts inspired by the museum’s own collection, perfect for those who want to take away a momento of Redditch’s needle making heritage. We also stock locally made preserves and confectionary as well as history books related to the local area.

More importantly, we also stock an extensive range of the finest quality needles, the majority of which come from ENTACO, the only remaining needle factory in Redditch.

The shop is also open to non-museum visitors who can call in whenever the museum is open.

Many different sewing needles available at Forge Mill shop

Forge Mill Gift Shop

Needles for Sale at Forge Mill

Select the right needle for the right project! You’ll be amazed at how many different kinds of needle there are. These are just some of what we sell:

Quilting

Sizes range from 5 to 12.

Also called ‘Betweens’ – a shorter needle allowing you to sew quicker with smaller, even stitches.

Sharps

Sizes range from 3 to 12.

Sharps are the name of the needle most commonly used in the home, a general purpose needle.

Embroidery

Sizes range from 1 to 10.

Also called ‘Crewel’ – an extra large eye to take the embroidery threads.

Darners

Sizes range from 5 to 18.

A strong needle with a large eye suitable for mending.

Tapestry

Sizes range from 13 to 28.

Also called ‘Cross Stitch’ needles – ideal for cross stitch and tapestry work on canvas, blunt ended to prevent splitting the threads.

Milliners

Sizes range from 8 to 11.

Also called ‘Straws’ – these needles are the same as Sharps but longer.

Curved Needles

Sizes range from 18 upwards to upholstery quality.

These fine curved needles are one of our most popular needles, ideal for box making. The upholstery range includes double pointed needles, regulators and mattress needles.

Beading

Sizes range from 10 to 15.

Very fine needles enabling the sewing of fine beads or sequins. These needles come in a range of long or short, sharp and blunt ended.

Gold Needles

Sew so much smoother with Gold!

Easy Threading

Perfect for those who find it difficult to thread regular needles.

Leather

Triangulated points enabling to sew through tough materials without causing unnecessary abrasion, suitable for leather, suede and soft plastics.

Sewing Machine Needles

Universal, Quilting, Embroidery, Jeans, Spring, Microtex, Wing, Twin needles assorted sizes, Topstitch, Drilling, Easy Threaders.

We stock the John James Pebble range of needles.

If you would like to place an order for any items from our shop, including our extensive range of needles, we are happy to take orders and payments by credit or debit card over the telephone. To place a telephone order, please call 01527 62509.