Richard Hemming Milliners/Straw Needles. These hand sewing needles are the finest quality English needles available. Made of Sheffield steel with nickel plating, they have a large eye for easier threading. The larger the size number, the finer the needle! Use these Milliners needles for smocking and for going though many layers of fabric. Perfect for applique as they are flexible to allow picking up a single thread of fabric easily.