Sewing Machine Needle Sizes. Sewing-Machine Needles: An Overview. Standard needles Learn to recognize the many types of standard, decorative, and special-purpose machine needles. Discover what each is best for, and how to troubleshoot problems. Standard needlesThe configuration of these needles is based on the particular fabric to be sewn. Universal needleUses: Safest needle choice for most fabrics.Configuration: Has slightly rounded point and elongated scarf to enable almost foolproof meeting of needle and bobbin hook.Troubleshooting: When fabric is not medium-weight woven, consider needle specifically suited to fabric.
For example, size 18 universal needle works on heavy denim, but size 18 jeans needle works better.Ballpoint and stretch needlesUses: Ballpoint needle for heavier, looser sweater knits; stretch needle for highly elastic fabrics, likeSpandex, or Lycra.Configuration: Both have rounded points that penetrate between fabric threads rather than pierce them. Machine-Needle Know-How. By Lydia Morganfrom Threads #94, pp. 59-61 Lay out an assortment of sewing-machine needles in various types and sizes on a table, and most of us can't tell the difference among them. But put the wrong needle in your machine, or use the wrong needle for your fabric and/or thread, and all heck breaks loose.
You can damage your bobbin hook, throw off the machine's timing, get puckered seams, break or shred thread, punch holes in your fabric, and, at the very least, produce an inferior stitch. Whatever your machine, even the latest computerized model, needle selection can make or break your stitch. At one time, only one type of machine needle was available to home sewers, and the sole choice involved was size. Several things can determine the type of needle to pick: the fabric you're using; the thread you've chosen (for example, metallic or embroidery); or the type of stitch you plan (for instance, topstitching or hemstitching).
Determine needle size by fabric weight. CraftStylish - Sewing, Knitting, Crochet, Quilting, Paper Crafts. Www.burdafashion.com.