ABOUT THE NEEDLE AND FABRIC

ABOUT THE NEEDLE AND FABRIC

About the Needle

The sewing machine needle is probably the most important part of the sewing machine. Choosing the proper needle for your sewing project will result in a beautiful finish and fewer problems. Below are some things to keep in mind about needles.

The smaller the needle number, the finer the needle. As the numbers increase, the needles get thicker.

Use fine needles with lightweight fabrics, and thicker needles with heavyweight fabrics.

To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 with stretch fabrics.

To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 when sewing character or decorative stitches.

Note

• Never use a thread of weight 20 or lower. It may cause malfunctions.

Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations

The following table provides information concerning the appropriate thread and needle for various fabrics. Please refer to this table when selecting a thread and needle for the fabric you wish to use.

Fabric type/Application

Thread

 

 

Size of needle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Type

Size

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medium weight fabrics

Broadcloth

Cotton thread

60 - 90

75/11 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taffeta

Synthetic thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flannel, Gabardine

Silk thread

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thin fabrics

Lawn

Cotton thread

60 - 90

65/9 - 75/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgette

Synthetic thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challis, Satin

Silk thread

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thick fabrics

Denim

Cotton thread

30

90/14 - 100/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corduroy

Synthetic thread

50 - 60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tweed

Silk thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretch fabrics

Jersey

Thread for knits

50 - 60

 

Ball point needle

 

 

 

 

 

(gold colored)

 

Tricot

 

 

 

 

 

 

75/11 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easily frayed fabrics

 

Cotton thread

50 - 90

65/9 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silk thread

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For top-stitching

 

Synthetic thread

30

100/16

 

 

Silk thread

 

 

 

 

 

50 - 60

90/14 - 100/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Memo

For transparent monofilament nylon thread, always use needle sizes 90/14 or 100/16. The same thread is usually used for the bobbin thread and upper thread.

CAUTION

Be sure to follow the needle, thread, and fabric combinations listed in the table. Using an improper combination, especially a heavyweight fabric (i.e., denim) with a small needle (i.e., 65/9 - 75/11), may cause the needle to bend or break, and lead to injury. Also, the seam may be uneven, the fabric may pucker, or the machine may skip stitches.

B-52