Roman needles

[MDF]

Hi guys,
here is some of my replicas of Roman needles, this is a kit for a legionnaire.
The shape of the eye and size are similar at findings show in many museum.

Hope you like it :wink:

[M. Demetrius]

Very nice work. Fatto bene! Smoothly polished.

I've seen pictures of those double eye needles. What is the function of the second eye?

[MDF]

Hi Demetrius,
The double eye needles were used to sew bags, leather or big canvas but I do not know the technique of sewing...i'm sorry!

Someone knows this technique?

[M. Demetrius]

I don't think I've seen a modern one like this. Two threads maybe?

[Martin Moser]

The double eye needles were used to sew bags, leather or big canvas but I do not know the technique of sewing...i'm sorry!

Interesting, but what do you base that on?

[MDF]

The double eye needles were used to sew bags, leather or big canvas but I do not know the technique of sewing...i'm sorry!

Interesting, but what do you base that on?

Hi Martin,
I base my opinion on the museum description :wink:
I am not able to translate perfectly, this is what can be read in Italian:

"si suppone che gli esemplari piu lunghi e dotati di due crune servissero per confezionare sacchi o manufatti di pelle, cuoio o tele di notevole spessore e durezza."

[Jason D]

Absolutely no evidence for this idea, but basing it off of my "logic" and my experience with sewing cloth and leather, if the double eyelet are in fact for sewing leather it seems like the two holes would be used for weaving the thread through the eyelets to get more friction and help keep the thread from pulling out while sewing.

Jason Delezen

[Martin Moser]

Hi Marco, Jason,

yes, that sounds like a possible explanation - thanks!

[richsc]

Could it be that two needles worked together to interlace that loop carried through the double eyes? I was thinking of how a sewing machine works.