Shop
Shop Remains Closed
Please note that the shop currently remains closed for visits in-person as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, refreshments are available from the Coffee Bar which is operating whenever the grounds are open.
Telephone and email orders can still be placed, and staff will happily retrieve needles for visitors on request. Full details in the Mail Order Catalogue below.
Situated in the Bordesley Abbey Visitor Centre is the shop and entrance to the museum.
The shop has guide books and a selection of local history books, cards and souvenirs for you to purchase as a reminder of your visit to the museums. More importantly, we also stock an extensive range of the finest quality needles, many of which are locally made.
If you’re feeling thirsty or ready for a snack, the shop also sells cold drinks, ice creams and other confectionary items.
The shop is also open to non-museum visitors who can call in whenever the museum is open.
Our current Mail Order Catalogue can be read on this page. Orders can be placed by completing the relevant sections of the catalogue and posting your order and payment to us. Alternatively, we can take payments by Credit or Debit Cards over the telephone.
To place a telephone order, please call 01527 62509.
Forge Mill Gift Shop
Click above to read our Catalogue (pdf file)
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.
See our Mail Order Catalogue for the complete range of needles and accessories available from the Museum Shop.
We stock the John James Pebble range of needles.
