Needle knowledge – sewing needles, sewing machine needles & pins
What should you consider when choosing the right needle?
There are various ways to classify different needle types. For example, sewing machine needle fastening systems are generally categorized as 287WH for round shanks and 130/705H for flat shanks. Round shanks are primarily found on older machines, while flat shanks are the current standard. Before you buy, make absolutely sure you purchase the correct needles for your specific sewing machine model.
Besides the attachment system for the sewing machine, the needle point is of utmost importance. The universal needle, for example, has the classic, simple, slightly rounded point. This makes it a true all-rounder, suitable, as the name implies, for various fabric types. However, there are also needles with a ball point, such as jersey or stretch needles. These are particularly well-suited for knit fabrics, as they glide through the knit structure without damaging or cutting it. Therefore, it's crucial to use the right needle for the material of your DIY project.
Besides the specific tip and the fastening mechanism, the needle size also plays a crucial role in sewing success, as it must be appropriate for the material. Thinner needles are needed for delicate materials, creating smaller holes, while larger needles are required for coarser materials, allowing them to penetrate the material thoroughly. The size indicated on the packaging, such as 70, corresponds to a diameter of 0.7 mm, as the conversion is based on a ratio of 1:100.
Why is the quality of the needle so important?
The right sewing tools are crucial for the success of your DIY project, as they can affect both the appearance and feel of your finished project. If you're unhappy with your seam, the first thing to check is your needle. Using a needle for too long can dull or even bend it, quickly ruining your stitches. This can lead to skipped stitches, damage to the material along the seam, or thread breakage. Therefore, it's essential to always have spare needles on hand and regularly check your sewing tools for wear. There are also other important needles that can significantly simplify your sewing hobby.
Pins are incredibly popular tools for marking, stapling, and securing. They are extremely useful for many sewing-related tasks and should therefore be a staple in every household. We carry pins in a wide variety of styles, such as glass-headed and plastic-headed pins. We also offer convenient storage solutions, including pin cushions and pin twisters. Our pin cushions and pin twisters are also available in super-practical magnetic versions, ensuring that no pins get lost and making them incredibly easy and convenient to use.
Which needle is suitable for which fabric and where are they used?
What types of sewing needles are there?
There are many different types of needles, each with a specific purpose and being particularly well-suited for a particular material. These include, among others:
- Jeans Needle
- Jersey needle
- Microtex needle
- sewing machine needle
- Quilt needle
- Quilting needle
- Stretch needle
- Super Universal Needle
- Universal needle
- Wool needle
- twin needle
How do the most important needles differ from each other and what are their specific strengths?
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Jersey needle, stretch needle, and jeans needle: All three types share a central, spherical head. This head displaces the loops in the fabric and fills the spaces between the threads, preventing damage or breakage to the structure of knitwear. The stretch needle features a special eye which, in combination with the concave shape, ensures a reliable stitch, especially with highly elastic fabrics. In addition to the fabric-friendly spherical head, the jeans needle has a reinforced shaft, necessary for this robust fabric to ensure the needle lasts longer and doesn't break prematurely.
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Microtex needle: Features a very thin, narrow, and, above all, very sharp point to ensure precise penetration, even in very tightly woven or coated materials, for a straight, clean stitch. This reduces uneven seams, especially in finer woven fabrics, which would otherwise occur due to thread displacement within the weave. With fine woven fabrics, the narrower the needle, the less the displacement effect negatively impacts the linearity of the seam.
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Quilting needle & quilting needle: This type has a thin, conical, and rounded tip. This shape is particularly well-suited for quilting and patchwork. It allows you to work with batting and thick layers of fabric without any problems.
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Embroidery needle: It also has a small ballpoint tip that allows it to push through the fabric and stitches without damaging them. A special feature of this version is its larger eye and an additional groove for the thread. These are particularly useful for textured, metallic, and embroidery threads, preventing the thread from being strained and breaking easily.
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Universal needle : With its slightly rounded tip, it still conforms to the typical standard shape of a classic needle. This type is a true all-rounder. It is suitable for many fabrics and therefore for a wide variety of sewing projects.
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Twin needle : The twin needle has one shank but two needle points. It can be used in virtually any sewing machine. The distance between the needles varies depending on the model. Because of the two points, two spools and thread holders are required. Two threads must also be threaded. This makes it possible to create decorative double seams, such as those otherwise only found on industrially manufactured garments like jeans. Twin needles are also suitable for hemming and thus almost replace the coverstitch of an overlock machine.
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