An Okane craftsperson at the bench, from Eight Needles’ maker-post cover. A bamboo ruler looks quiet on a sewing table. Its scale is easy to take for granted; so is the work needed to put a useful straight measure onto a natural material. Okane Seisakusho’s workshop story gives that familiar object a little more weight. […]

A frame from the Jinbutsujirushi maker story on Eight Needles’ Instagram. Jinbutsujirushi tailor’s chalk is an original product of ECHIZENYA-TAZAKI, the Japanese sewing-supply business that also lists Sōho needles among its own products. Its official profile dates the business to 1865 and records a corporate reorganisation in 1944. ECHIZENYA-TAZAKI’s company and product information. 1. The […]

Sōho needles arranged in their labelled wallet. Sōho needles and Jinbutsujirushi chalk share a company: ECHIZENYA-TAZAKI. Its official site lists both among its original sewing-supply products and records an 1865 foundation. Knowing that relationship connects two names that may otherwise appear unrelated in a sewing box. The company and its original products. 1. From the […]

A Sodeyama chalk pencil in use on fabric. Sodeyama is an apparel-tool supplier based in Osaka. Its catalogue serves the work of textile-design rooms, cutting rooms and sewing production. The company’s own product index includes equipment and tools from several manufacturers, so its role cannot accurately be described as one workshop making everything under its […]

Sewline’s three-colour pencil from the Eight Needles collection. Sewline belongs to Westek Incorporated, a Japanese company established in December 1974. Westek’s published business description includes importing, exporting and domestic sales of office equipment and everyday goods. Its sewing brand draws explicitly on writing-instrument technology. Westek’s company information. 1. The company behind the name Sewline’s official […]

Adger’s twin marker, showing the purple and pink tips. Adger Kogyo is a specialist marker manufacturer in Soka, Saitama. Its Japanese company profile dates its establishment to May 1969. Chako Ace is its fabric-marking range, bringing together marks that disappear with time, marks removed with water and dedicated erasing tools. Adger’s company profile. 1. Where […]

The Chacopar extra-fine fabric marker. Chacopar is a marking-pen range from Chacopaper Co., Ltd. The company’s official introduction dates its beginnings to 1953 and describes its work in sewing, embroidery and craft transfer materials. Its company page explicitly names Chacopaper, Chacopar and Haruharu Canvas among the products it manufactures and sells. Company introduction, company profile. […]

Hands and machinery in Concise’s official factory feature. Photograph: Concise / TTC. Before the electronic calculator became commonplace, a circular slide rule could put a calculation in your hand. Concise began with that kind of instrument. Its story connects a changing market, a Tokyo factory and the careful work of putting readable scales onto everyday […]

The KFI K-4 MM tweezers from the Eight Needles gallery. Bring the tips of a pair of tweezers together and look for the point where they meet. That tiny contact is the useful part of the tool—and the end of a manufacturing story involving straightening, shaping, spring behaviour and a final adjustment by hand. 1. […]

The compact Gentey shears held in the hand. Gentey is the name on the tailor’s shears and snippers described in Eight Needles’ existing supplier material. That account dates the work to 1967 and describes forged construction combining a hard cutting layer with softer supporting material. Eight Needles’ recorded background. 1. A recorded trade connection The […]