CHANGING THE NEEDLE
58
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 fine r the needle. As the numbers increase, the needles get thicker.
• Use fine needles with lightweight fa brics, and thicker needles with heavyweight fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point need le (golden colored) 90/14 with stretch fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use bal l point needle (golden colored) 90/14 when sewing character or decorative
stitches.
• Use needle 75/11 for embroidery. Use ball poin t 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 need le 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 in serted 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 75/11 - 90/14Taffeta Synthetic thread
Flannel, Gabardine Silk thread 50
Thin fabrics Lawn Cotton thread 60 - 90 65/9 - 75/11Georgette 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)
75/11 - 90/14
Tri c ot
Easily frayed fabrics Cotton thread 50 - 90 65/9 - 90/14Synthetic thread
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.
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 sma ll needle (i.e., 65/9 - 75/11), may
cause the needle to bend or break, and lead to inju ry. Also, the seam may be uneven, the fabric may
pucker, or the machine may skip stitches.