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REPLACING THE NEEDLE

This section provides information on sewing machine needles.

Needle precautions

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Be sure to observe the following precautions concerning the handling of the needle. Failure to observe these precautions is extremely dangerous. Be sure to read and carefully follow the instructions below.

CAUTION

Only use home sewing machine needles. Use of any other needle may bend the needle or damage the machine.

Never use bent needles. Bent needles can easily break, possibly resulting in injury.

Needle types and their uses

The sewing machine needle that should be used depends on the fabric and thread thickness. Refer to the following table when choosing the thread and needle appropriate for the fabric that you wish to sew.

Fabric Type/Application

Thread

 

Size of Needle

Type

 

Size

 

 

 

 

Medium weight

Broadcloth

Cotton thread

 

60–90

 

Taffeta

Synthetic thread

 

75/11–90/14

fabrics

 

 

 

Flannel, Gabardine

Silk thread

 

50

 

 

Lawn

Cotton thread

 

60–90

 

Thin fabrics

Georgette

Synthetic thread

 

65/9–75/11

 

 

 

Challis, Satin

Silk thread

 

50

 

 

Denim

Cotton thread

 

30

100/16

 

 

 

 

Thick fabrics

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

Corduroy

Synthetic thread

 

50–60

90/14–100/16

 

 

 

Tweed

Silk thread

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stretch fabrics

Jersey

 

 

 

Ball point needle

Tricot

Thread for knits

 

50–60

75/11–90/14

 

 

 

 

(gold colored)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cotton thread

 

50–90

 

Easily frayed fabrics

Synthetic thread

 

65/9–90/14

 

 

 

 

Silk thread

 

50

 

For top-stitching

Synthetic thread

 

30

100/16

Silk thread

 

50–60

75/11–90/14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note

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

Memo

The smaller the thread number, the thicker the thread; and the larger the needle number, the thicker the needle.

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