I'm chief editor, sewing machine gallery and sewing expert. Needle Class. Some machines will have a label on its body indicating the type of needle it takes. Learn here.”. Ballpoints rock a rounded tip. and 60 wt. The rigid shank makes it enough stronger for sewing through many layers of fabrics. If you have any questions left or you simply want to share some of your experience and wisdom regarding sewing machine needles and thread, don’t hesitate to shoot me a message down in the comment box! This part attaches with the machine needle clamp. Most needle companies show both sizes on the package. All the parts are dedicated to executing different functions. The quilting needle also comes with an acute angle tip that’s great at cutting through several layers of fabric and wadding at once. In this platform, I want to share my knowledge about sewing and different type of crafts. It is not available at all sizes rather than in 80/12 and 90/14. Hand sewing needles vary according to what fabric you are using. You take a Sharpie and draw sections on the tomato cushion and write the needle size in the appropriate section. Another key feature of this needle is a pontoon scarf with a large bump, which reduces the fabric movement, preventing many problems during embroidering. The upper thick part of a sewing machine needle is called the shank. A sewing machine needle is comprised of the following elements: 1. This part helps the needle to penetrate the fabric. Required fields are marked *. But to discuss different needle types effectively, we need to nail down the anatomy of a sewing machine needle. There is the American measurement system that runs from 8 to 19 and the European system that goes from 60 to 120. The larger the number, the thicker the needle. You can be safe in the knowledge that any sewing machine needle purchased from us will be compatible with any relatively modern domestic sewing machine . These are identified as 15x1, 2020, 130/705H, HAx1 etc. This could happen only if you, The Best Sewing Machine Needles of 2021 – Buyer’s…. The usual sizes of these needles are 14/90 and 11/75. For both sizing systems, the lower the number the finer the needle and the higher the number the larger the needle. If you are a beginner, then you may not be aware of the basic needle parts. In a word, a needle prominently affects the sewing outcome so know the details and choose the right one for your next project. These include fabrics like cotton voile, silk, spandex, and lycra. 7. You can identify a needle using three perimeters; Needle system of your machine: For commercial machines, different needle systems may be used. There are different ways to measure thread weight depending on where you are in the world. These heavyweight fabrics can be quite tough on your needle (especially when there are several layers! As you can guess from the name, it can be used for many projects out there, though there is usually a better needle pick for that particular project. For 90/14 medium needles, you should use medium thread at around 40 wt. These kinds of needle used in stretchy fabrics, elastic, and knits. “Sewingmachinegallery.com is reader-supported. Embroidery sewing requires thicker thread, so embroidery needles rock a larger, wider eye to accommodate it. “Sewingmachinegallery.com is reader-supported. Needles sizes are 10/70 and 18/110. Then it carries the thread through the loop. The numbers refer to the thickness of the needle – all sewing machine needles are more or less the same length. Wing sewing machine needle for woven fabrics. All the product specifications and product images has been taken from Amazon.com. Before deciding on a needle, you need to know the essential parts of a needle. Whenever you do decorative stitching, an embroidery needle can help make sure everything passes smoothly, without snapped thread. These needles are used to stitch dense embroidery designs without shredding embroidery threads like polyester and rayon threads. The needle has a light ballpoint and a groove, so it’s completely adjusted to this sort of thread. A sewing needle is the central feature of any sewing machine. All the parts are dedicated to executing different functions. The needle is also not that sharp enough to destroy delicate knit fabrics. This could happen only if you identify the right needle for your projects. 6 Best Serger Sewing Machines – (Reviews & Guide 2021), 7 Best Quilting Sewing Machines – (Reviews & Guide 2021), 6 Best Heavy Duty Sewing Machines – (Reviews 2021), 6 Best Embroidery Sewing Machines – (Reviews 2021), 7 Best Computerized Sewing Machines – (Reviews 2021), 11 Best Sewing Machines For Beginners – (Reviews 2021), 6 Best Industrial Sewing Machines – (Reviews & Guide 2021), 6 Best Mini Sewing Machines – (Reviews & Guide 2021), 7 Best Sewing Chairs – (Reviews & Guide 2021). The shafts of these needles are strong, further supported by a short, round eye, which makes this needle exceptionally hard to bend and break. The point of this needle is wedge-shaped that can easily penetrate the leather. Always refer to your sewing machine manual for the correct way to insert the needle into your machine. However, at the end of any project, we look for the professional-looking results. When looking at needles, you will see two numbers referenced on the needle. Additionally, the shaft of the needle has a deep groove that protects the thread from friction during stitching. To buy the correct needle 3 pieces of information are required. When a needle size and type matches your machine, it provides the best performance. Scarf: Scarf is the notch on the backside which allows the bobbin hook to grab the thread under the sewing machine throat plate. The part of the needle that connects the machine with the flat back of it, is called a shank. The numbers refer to the thickness of the needle – all sewing machine needles are more or less the same length. The larger number to the left is for the European sizing system, which ranges from 60 to 120. The numbers on a sewing machine needle denote its size. It’s used to attach the needle to the sewing machine. Use a universal point needle if you are sewing with woven and knit fabric as it can slip through fabric waves. That’s exactly why this type of needle is ideal for knit fabrics. But here in the US, we use something called fixed weight measurement to label the thickness of the thread. This needle type is generally used for a sewing machine and for knit fabric sewing projects. These are the CLASS of needle, the TYPE of needle and the SIZE of needle. Usually, the needle sizes are 16/100 and 19/120. Needles determine the knitting style of any sewing projects. This part of the needle is inserted into the machine. There are plenty of places that offer sewing help, including assistance with identifying a vintage sewing machine.In fact, you can even find charts online, or you could ask a local seamstress for some input. Needles are available at two sizes all over the world; they are American size and European size. The snap-on presser feet and the screw on presser feet. However, there are about nine or so standard and special-purpose types that are used across sewing machines regardless of the brand. It creates finer stitches in the fabric, but 19/120 will create a hole in the material. Sewing with the stale needle may result in skipped stitches, fabric wrinkling, uneven seams, or sometimes permanently damaged fabrics. Know the parts of the needle and their differences: The shank, which is the uppermost part of the sewing machine needle to fits into the sewing machine. Eye: This is the main part of a needle which carries the thread to help the machine while forming stitches. Identifying a needle. If you work with different types of needles you need to also mark the needle type. Shaft: Shaft is the body of a needle. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Woven of knit fabrics – it doesn’t matter, the universal needle can handle it all with fair-looking results. I hope that you understood everything and that you’ll refer back to this blog post when choosing the ideal needle for your next project. Extra-heavy fabrics should be approached with either a 110/18 or a 120/20 needle, and these include heavy denim and canvases, furs (real or faux), and upholstery fabrics. Meaning: The lower the number, the thicker the thread. This type of medium ballpoint needle is usually used with stretchy fabrics like lycra, power mesh, silk jersey, and spandex. Once you insert a correct needle in the machine, you’ll get the stress-free stitching for an extended period. The actual labeling on a sewing machine needle pack looks like, for example, 65/9, or 110/18. What really matters is that you choose the correct needle type for your project. Let’s have a look over the basic components of a standard machine:-. For example, you can use this needle for stitching swimwear. They are compatible across the range of brands, including Janome, Brother, Husqvarna, Elna, Pfaff etc. Required fields are marked *. Depending on the type, a needle can have a, Also, some needles have more and some less of a. Your email address will not be published. Every sewing machine needle has two numbers divided by a slash, for example, 90/14. That’s not always easy and straightforward – and that’s exactly why I decided to make this guide to identifying sewing machine needles. Stretchy fabrics are notorious for being difficult to work with. Usually, the needle sizes are 16/100 and 19/120. Once you get to know about the types of the needle, then you’ll know how to identify them. A sewing needle has three parts: the tip that pierces the fabric, the eye of the needle through which you put thread and the shaft connecting these two parts. Understanding all the parts will help you to choose the one that works in your fabrics and, Self-threading needle for regular fabrics, Embroidery sewing machine needle for embroidery stitching, These needles are used to stitch dense embroidery designs without shredding, Leather sewing machine needle for heavy non-woven fabrics, Wing sewing machine needle for woven fabrics, However, at the end of any project, we look for the professional-looking results. The Best Embroidery Software of 2021 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Sewing Machine Under $500 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Sewing Machine Under $1000 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Handi Quilter Longarm Quilting Machines of 2021 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Sit Down Longarm Quilting Machines of 2021 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Sewing Machine for Monogramming 2021 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews, The Best Brother Embroidery Machine of 2021 – Buyer’s Guide and Reviews. Domestic sewing machines, designed for use in homes as opposed to commercial sewing operations, use a common needle type referred to as "Groz-Beckert 130 / 705," "HAx1" or "15x1" needles. Well, now you are well-known with all kind of needle and their uses. ), cotton, linen, muslin, jersey, light wool, light corduroy, and light velvet, many types of knit fabrics, tricot, and fleece. It can be especially intimidating to novice seamstresses. This lets quilters create that unique quick and even stitch that quilts need. Machine needle size numbers indicate the needle’s width. There you have it – all you need to know about sewing machine needles! Now that you have the serial number, you can dive into the history of the machine by doing a little bit of research. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Butt: The top rounded part of the needle in the butt. 7). Also, check whether the needle eye/size fits the thread and the angle of the needle is correct. If you want to use very fine fabrics like chiffon, organza, fine silk, or lace, you should choose the finest needles available. These medium-weights include most quilting fabrics (use a quilting needle for these projects! Heavyweight fabrics and big needles require thick thread labeled with 30 wt. This part is being inserted into the machine. We believe that you can easily identify a needle for your projects. thread. 6). The jeans needle doesn’t only come with a stronger shaft, but it also has a specially designed blade on its modified medium ballpoint tip, which cuts through the fabric, letting the needle slide through with ease. Understanding all the parts will help you to choose the one that works in your fabrics and threads. They can fit into any of the machines for they are standard size. Sewingmachinegallery.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program & Other Affiliate Programs. Last Updated on June 2, 2020, By Shanta Roy. It is one size just listed in two different measures. Find detailed step-by-step instructions to complete your project today! Sewing machine needles come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. ), so a specialized, reinforced needle is a great pick. The needle with medium ballpoint tip with special eye and scarf. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”. There is three most common type of point or tip such as sharp, ballpoint, and universal needle-point. An 8/60 sized fine needle is compatible with the fine sheer window curtain. The European numbers come first, and they’re labeled in numbers 60 to 120. You’re probably familiar with this rule: the thinner the fabric, the thinner the needle (and vice versa). Shank has mostly round front and a flat back, but the industrial machine needles have a full round shank. That’s because thread weight is actually the relationship between the weight in grams and the length of thread in meters. The first thing to know is that sewing machines needles are standardised. The sizes available are 11/75 and 14/90. Denim sewing machine needle for denim. It is available at 11/75 and 14/90. The universal needle has a slightly rounded point. Each value in the American system has a corresponding value in the European measurement system given as, American Size 8 = 60 European Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The butt. Rather than cut the fabric fibers, the jersey ballpoint pushes the fibers apart, letting the thread go through. Denim needles have a rigid shank and an extra sharp point. As a right needle assures a more accurate result, so, it is essential to know more about the needle. It differs with the size of the needle. So, how do we express needle size in numbers, and what fabrics do these correspond to? Most domestic sewing machines, regardless of maker, utilise the Class 15 design of needle. Your email address will not be published. Curved needle machine with bright parts bronzed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The lower the number, the thinner the needle. So, if 1 gram’s worth of your thread covers 50 meters, you have a spool of 50 wt. how to identify sewing machine needles. Some machines have the needle system stamped into the nameplate/info plate. Having the right needle to suite your sewing needs can have a big impact on how your project turns out. A sewing needle is the central feature of any, All the sewing needle has the same basic components but differs in shape and sizes. This needle comes with a special chisel point (a blade) that’s designed to cut through the material. We don't own any credit of product images. The SINGER® Style 2020 is a Regular Point needle, designed for sewing woven (non-stretch) fabrics. An affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Triple needles are typically just the universal type. or a smaller number. 90/14 is the medium size needle that’s fit for many fabrics out there. The American sizing system is numbered from 8 to 18. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. The general rule is the bigger the size number, the bigger the needle! Point and tip: Point with a sharper tip is the first contact with the fabrics. That’s why it is necessary to identify the right one for your project. The side of wing needle shank is flared which creates openwork stitching on woven fabrics. It is the next part after shank which determines the size of a needle. It has a slit near the eye of the needle. Large curved needle machine for heavy work (it looks the same in the woodcut but may have a more robust feed mechanism and was for manufacturing use). All Rights Reserved. European sizes use 60 to 120, same here 60 is the fine needle, and 120 is the thick heavy needle. Pick the correct needle for your next project fabrics. Do Some Research. number are finer. The size of the needle eye varies with the needle size. Home sewing machine needles are composed of a flat side and a round side to assist in positioning the needle correctly. Your email address will not be published. This is basically dependant on the make of your sewing machine You will find that some presser feet are low shank and others high shank. Then when you take the needle out of the machine, stick it into the appropriate section. Proper stitches make your sewing project more beautiful; also they can break it. Often a sewing machine will come with a packet of spare needles, making it easy to reference the correct system. Following this simple idea with basic, universal needles is sufficient for 90% of regular sewing tasks, especially for beginners. Eventually, make sure that the needle is not touching any part when you turn the machine wheel. The corresponding American sizes are labeled in numbers between 8 and 20. If you’re working with a densely woven fabric like heavy twill, duck, canvas, linen, and yes – denim, your best bet is picking a jeans needle. For general sewing, the most commonly used needle styles are SINGER Style 2020 and SINGER Style 2045. It is strong enough to penetrate the fabrics where 8/60 needle will bend or break. And the thinner the fabric you are using, the s… Plain curved needle machine, painted (Fig. The design of this needle features an indentation called the scarf which lets the bobbin hook pass the needle with ease. If your needle is too big for your fabric, you’ll be left with unsightly holes and a higher chance of tearing. The twin needle is exactly what it sounds like – two needles attached to a single holder. If I need another size I will take the one in the machine and place in container marked with this size. Essentially, on every needle, you can see two numbers. The fact it doesn’t damage fibers prevents fabric laddering and similar damage. You need the thread it by own by sliding the thread against the side of the needle. The butt is the rounded bit at the top of the needle. The side of wing needle shank is flared which creates openwork stitching on woven fabrics. You have a large option when you are looking for a needle. Natural leather is unique among fabrics because it’s neither woven nor knit – in fact, it has no holes whatsoever as other fabrics do. Sewing machine needles are the most crucial and changeable part of a sewing machine. Using the right size is important. These include sizes 60/8, 65/9, and 70/10. It creates a way in the fabric for the thread to pass through. If you’re dealing with issues like skipped stitches, a stretch needle might be a great solution. They’re used with all sorts of fabrics, but show a particularly great performance with projects with several layers of densely woven fabrics. Heavier weight fabrics like denim, canvas, corduroy, suiting, and duck require a thicker needle, and the ideal thickness for these fabrics is 100/16. The corresponding American sizes are labeled in numbers between 8 and 20. Needle form a loop into the material which is picked by the hook mechanism. This part of the needle is flat and it is the safer side of the needle to handle, and it fits into the machine needle handlers. Denim needles have a rigid shank and an extra sharp point. In real life, that means that you need a thread between 100 wt. Personally, I use either Singer or Schmetz, but that’s mainly because these brands are sold at my local sewing supplies shop. Still, make sure to check that the needle size fits the needle holder and the fabrics. This is the sewing machine needle size, and most sewing machine needles indicate the needle size in both European and American sizing. Needle style indicates the type of fabric the needle is designed to sew. It’s not easy making your pick between Inspra, Singer, Klasse, Schmetz, and Organ (and there are so many more out there!). This is the part of your needle which links the thread into the machine. Sharp point needle is being used for all woven fabrics, ballpoint point for knit fabric, and universal point for both types of materials. You should always keep in mind that thread weight labels work the other way round compared to needle sizes. The European numbers come first, and they’re labeled in numbers 60 to 120. check the nameplate. This article contains affiliate links. While Microtex needles can be used for quilting sewing, the actual quilting needle is much shorter. Learn how to make Buying Guide: Sewing Machine Needles at JOANN fabric and craft store online. Twin needles actually come in a variety of types (including jeans, embroidery, stretch, and universal), and sometimes, you can even choose the distance between the two needles. Therefore, threads with a higher wt. It decided what the size of the needle would be.“ Shaft ” is the name of the needle’s body. If you click on these and make a purchase, we may receive a small percentage of the sale without any additional costs to you. The determine of the needle size is called the blade. Your email address will not be published. Needle selection differs by fabrics as they influence the formation of stitches. Low/high shank refers to the height of the shank. For regular lightweight fabrics, use 75/11 and 80/12 needle sizes. There are a number of different parts of the needle which are all equally important. The needle size for a leather sewing machine is usually calculated in one of two ways. Experienced quilters may decide to work with longer and thicker needles, but beginners will most likely find it easier to work with a smaller size, thin quilting needle. I use several machines so cannot always remember what size needle is in the machine. The two numbers show the same thing, but it’s expressed in both American and European size measurements. From rib knits to double knit – use this needle to sew these sensitive, stretchy materials without causing damage. January 7, 2021 Uncategorized Leave a Comment Uncategorized Leave a Comment Microtex, otherwise known as Sharps needles, have a super sharp tip that pierces through any type of fabric. They’re often used for symmetrical decorative stitches and pin tucking because they let you make two or three rows of stitches at the time. That’s why a universal needle definitely won’t do, you need a special leather needle. A 19/120 sized thick heavy needle is compatible with upholstery fabrics. European needles are measured 60 - 110, and American 8 - 18, so you will often see needles listed is sizes (70/10, 80,/12, 90/14, etc.) Basically, you’ll find five types available in the market. The European metric sizing system for sewing machine needles is numbered from 60 to 110. check with the manufacturer of the machine in need of needles to be sure of the system it uses. American sizes are available from size 8 to 19, where 8 is a fine needle, and 19 is a thick heavy needle. Sewing Machine Needle sizes. As a general rule, the lighter weight fabrics use smaller needles and heavyweight fabrics use larger needles. Shank: The thick part of a needle after butt is a shank. © 2021 Sewing Mag. Let me tell you right away – all of these brands are good, and all have their strengths and weaknesses. for fine needles like 60/8 or 65/9. Basically, the thicker the needle, the bigger the number. Many manufacturers make sewing machine needles. On the other hand, a needle too small will likely break or bend if you try to use it on a heavier weight fabric, and a flying needle tip can be quite dangerous. The lower the number, the thinner the needle. How to Identify Sewing Machine Needles Sewing machines needles can be identified with size, design, purpose and other properties. The downside of topstitch needles is that the bigger eye makes it more likely the needle will break if something goes wrong. All the sewing needle has the same basic components but differs in shape and sizes. So, having the wrong needle may destroy your exciting sewing project. Curved needle machine with bright parts silver plated and beautifully ornamented (Fig. It is important to understand the needle sizes while identifying a sewing machine needle. Butt – located at the needle’s very end. This is the part that is … The big eye both wider and longer than on other needle types, and it’s designed that way to accommodate the thicker threads used for some topstitching tasks. Hand sewing needles vary in the size of the shaft and eye of the needle as well as the length, width, and type of point. It should be large enough to cradle the thread to get smoother stitches. Let’s discuss them briefly: These are the most general type of needle that most of us use. That’s how a sewing needle passed through the fabric and locked it. Click here to find out more. And do the next needle the same way. sewingmag.org is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Groove: The immediate next art after shaft which acts as the place for the thread to lay into the needle. The topstitch needle is super sharp and features an eye that’s much larger than usual. Needles labeled as "universal" needles are of this type and are generally the … look to see if there are spare needles. in the various needle makers cataloging systems. However, for homemade machines, this is customized and is usually 130/705H. When i put a new needle in, I will use a sticky pad and write the number on it.and put it on the spool stick. This needle should be used with synthetic threads, especially heavyweight polyester thread. These include: The eye.