SELECTING THE RIGHT NEEDLE

   When you become the owner of a sewing machine, you often sit down and read through the user manual, to familiarize yourself with which stitch to use for which fabrics and how to clean it, thread it and all the other general aspects of running a machine. What you don’t always do however is familiarize yourself with which sewing machine needle to use.

If you’re anything like me, you tend to stick to the universal needles (often sizes 10 -16) that come with the machine. And also, if you’re anything like me you’ll often find yourself in the position of wondering just why the tension suddenly seems wrong, or you’re suddenly dropping stitches.
Choosing the correct type of needle for the right sewing project is a task that many of us find a little daunting. But it needn’t be, it’s just a case of matching the type of needle to the type and weight of fabric and understanding that needle types relate to the structure of the fabric they are used on.
The size of the needle depends on the size of the fabric yarn, for example, if you’re using a fine fabric then you need a fine needle that will not mar the fabric, but that still has a larger enough eye to ensure that the thread will not fray or break whilst being sewn with.  

•    Sharp points (regular) are for use with woven fabrics (including cotton and linen etc) because they cause a minimum amount of puckering and produce an even stitch without damaging the fabric. These are not recommended for use with knits as they can cause skipped stitches. Sharp points are more slender through the shaft and should be used when edge stitching on woven fabrics, sewing on finely woven fabrics or heirloom stitching on very fine fabrics. They are also a good choice when sewing with synthetic suede. These needles come in varying sizes from the finest size 9 to the heaviest size 18.

•  Universal Point needles have a slightly rounded point that is similar to the ball point needle and is used for general, every day sewing of most woven or knit fabrics. The needle is tapered so that it slips through the fabric weave of the knit easily whilst still retaining enough sharpness to pierce the cloth. It is usually Universal needles that come with your sewing machine. They come in many different sizes with the 14/90 and the 11/75 being the most popular.

• Ball Point needles are specifically designed to be used with knit and stretch fabrics. They have a rounded point rather than a sharp one (the larger the size of the needle, the more rounded the needle point) and they push between the fabric yarns rather than piercing them the way the Sharp Points do. The needles should be used when sewing with interlock knits, coarse knits and other fabrics that will run if snagged. The needles come in varying sizes from 9 to 16. The larger the size of the needle, the more rounded the needle point is.

• Embroidery needles have a larger needle eye to accommodate the thicker embroidery threads. They are also designed to protect the decorative threads from breaking.

• Quilting needles (called Betweens) have a tapered point that allows you to stitch through several layers of fabric (usually the quilt sandwich) and across intersecting seams. They have a tapered point to prevent damaging the often heirloom quality fabrics used in quilting. They are generally smaller and stronger than normal needles with a small eye. They come in sizes 9,10,11,and 12.

• Topstitching needles are for use with heavier topstitching thread and as such have an extra large eye and a deeper groove. They can also be used with a double thread for a more pronounced stitch. Using the correct top stitching needle can make a real difference to the finished look of your project.

• Wedge Point needles are used less often as they are designed for use with leather and vinyl. They easily pierce the fabrics and create a hole that will close back up on itself. The wedge shape makes it a superior needle for piercing tough, unyielding fabrics such as leather or suede. These needles come in varying sizes from 11 to 18. The smaller sizes are suitable for softer, more pliable leather, whilst the larger sizes are designed for heavy leathers, or multiple layers.    

Click below to see our selection of needles in our NOTIONS dept...