CHANGING THE NEEDLE

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.

Use needle 75/11 for embroidery. Use ball point needle 75/11 for embroidering patterns with short jump stitches such as alphabet characters when the thread trimming function is turned on.

Ball point needles (golden colored) 90/14 are not recommended for embroidery, as they may bend or break, causing injury.

It is recommended that a 90/14 needle should be used when embroidering on heavyweight fabrics or stabilizing products (for example, denim, puffy foam, etc.). A 75/11 needle may bend or break, which could result in injury.

A home sewing machine needle 75/11 is inserted in the sewing machine.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taffeta

Synthetic thread

 

75/11 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Flannel, Gabardine

Silk thread

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thin fabrics

Lawn

Cotton thread

 

60 - 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgette

Synthetic thread

 

65/9 - 75/11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Challis, Satin

Silk thread

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thick fabrics

Denim

Cotton thread

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

90/14 - 100/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corduroy

Synthetic thread

 

50 - 60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tweed

Silk thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretch fabrics

Jersey

Thread for knits

 

 

Ball point needle

 

 

 

 

50 - 60

(gold colored)

 

Tricot

 

 

 

 

 

 

75/11 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easily frayed fabrics

 

Cotton thread

 

50 - 90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synthetic thread

 

65/9 - 90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silk thread

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For top-stitching

 

Synthetic thread

 

50

90/14 - 100/16

 

 

 

 

 

 

Silk thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

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Ready Getting

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.

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