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Sewing machine needles

Sewing machine needles are a vital part of a seamstress’s collection.  But it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when shopping for them, especially if you are new to the sewing world.  There are so many kinds and they all perform different duties.  Let this handy sewing machine needle guide help you pick the right needles for your projects.

Before selecting a sewing machine needle, you need to know what type of needle your machine takes.  Most sewing machines used in the home for personal and simple projects use a 130/705H needle.  But other machines such as those used for commercial production, or machines that perform more advanced tasks such as embroidery require a variety of needles.  Refer to your users manual if you are not sure what type of needle you need to purchase for the job you are doing.

Sewing machine needles come in many different sizes.  The right size for the job is important if you want a professional result.  When working with delicate fabrics, it is important to use the smaller sizes.  Things like fine knit, Lycra Spandex, and other fragile materials need small precise stitches and will also show holes if the needle is too large.  On the other hand, tougher fabrics such as denim, leather, and canvas require the larger needles, because small needles can’t handle the job and will easily break under too much pressure.

Sewing machine needles are also specific to the type of thread you are using in your project.  If the thread does not go through the eye of the needle easily, then your stitches could wind up being un-even or they could cause puckering in your fabric.  No seamstress would ever want that to happen!  If you’re having trouble threading your needle properly, then you should switch thread or needles for a better fit.