A
sewing needle for hand-sewing is a long slender tool with a pointed tip at one end and a hole or
eye at the other. The earliest needles were made of
bone or
wood; modern ones are manufactured from high
carbon steel wire and are
nickel- or
18K gold-plated for corrosion resistance. The highest quality embroidery needles are plated with two-thirds
platinum and one-third
titanium alloy. Traditionally, needles have been kept in needle books or needle cases which have become objects of adornment. Sewing needles may also be kept in an
etui, a small box that held needles and other items such as scissors, pencils and tweezers.