As any pointed object sewing needles are prohibited items (TSA). Did anyone have some suggestions on how to make them yourself if you need one at your flight destination and don´t have the time/ability to buy one ?

Thanks
Molf

Can you buy a sewing /repair kit in the airport gift shop? otherwise, some hotels might provide them...

Oh yes, of course I can but the background of my question is my 24/7/365-kit that´s hanging around my neck all time and has to go with me even through airport controls. That means that sometimes I´ll have to carry a kit that´s barely incomplet and no shops are around me.
Second is that I hate it to check in my bags at the airport. Sometimes it would unpossible due a lack of time ... sorry but I´m too often too late ... ;o)

The spike on the end of an agave plant can be used as a makeshift needle if your in the southwest. It has a fibreous "thread" already attached to it. Also you could use a paper clip or stiff whire twisted to form a needle (just bend in the middle and twist to form an eye. I also found these http://www.wrights.com/products/catalog/boyeline/7508_lg.htm which are plastic and these http://www.achildsdream.com/handwork_supplies/knit_sew_crochet/sewing.htm which are wooden. Hope this helps

How about carrying one of the following in your kit:

* Take a round toothpick ? either traditional wooden or plastic dental-hygiene variety ? and drill a small hole in one end with micro drill bit (available in sizes .0059- through .0130-in/.05- through .35-mm). After drilling, use fine sandpaper to reduce toothpick to desired diameter.

* Small-size paperclip, straightened after arrival at destination. Securing thread could be problematic. Perhaps a drop of super glue?

* Commonly available twisty-tie (the kind constructed of paper-covered small-diameter wire) used to secure plastic trash bags. Strip paper off, twist a couple of spirals around thread for makeshift ?eye.?

* [Without commenting on wisdom of doing this], secrete a small needle in the barrel of an ordinary, innocuous-looking ballpoint pen.

Clearly, I?ve been watching too much of Fox?s TV show Prison Break. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

* [Without commenting on wisdom of doing this], secrete a small needle in the barrel of an ordinary, innocuous-looking ballpoint pen.

METAL-cased ballpoint pen! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sue

I don’t think needles are on the prohibited list for carry on items. It list knitting needles and crochet needles as ok to carry on but does not mention sewing needles but if they are going to let knitting needles on board I would think they would let a sewing needle on. I would just include it in my FAK or PSK or in my carry on toiletry bag.

I pack a full blown sewing kit in my shoulder bag as a carryon for every flight. My bags have been checked at least half a dozen times now, and no one ever bothers with the needles or anything else in the sewing kit. I did forget a pair of mustache scissors in my hygiene kit once on my carryon, and had to have the TSA agent take them back to my wife on the other side of the barrier. All knives and lighters get put in checked baggage. I dress so that once I remove my wedding ring and my dog tags, I can walk through the metal detector without setting it off. I am one of the few, and they give me funny looks when I step through and nothing happens. I guess the way I dress they just expect they are going to have to wand me. Sometimes they do it anyways. I always ask for the cute gal to do me. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I wonder how many terrorists they've caught in the past 4 yrs?

Sue

Two??? <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />