Machine Needles

Notions and Gifts > Machine Needles
RainTree Quilting offers a GREAT Selection of Sewing Machine Needles:

Needles Matter!  Machine needles are designed for certain fabrics and applications.  The incorrect needle contributes to thread breakage, skipped stitches, poor seam quality and the appearance of poor tension.  Needles are tools.  The right needle must be pared with the project.

General Needle Tips:

Sharps and Microtex needles are perfect for 100% cotton fabrics and disastrous on knits.  The extra sharp point is designed for quilt seams and pierces the fabric to create the perfect seam.  These needles will, however, damage knits. 

Ball Point, Jersey and Stretch needles are designed for knits.  They work much like knitting needles, moving the fibers out of the way to form the stitch.  This is necessary for successful knit sewing to avoid snagging and breakage of fibers.  These needles can damage woven fabrics as they push the weft or grain fibers and cause runs in the cloth.

Universal needles are mildly sharp tipped needle and suitable for most garment work.  The tip is balled just enough to protect most cotton knits yet sharp enough to effectively pierce woven fabrics.  It is my go-to garment needle.  Universal needles are appropriate for most 4-thread overlockers too.  NOTE:  Overlockers must use needles between a size 11 and size 14. Never use a needle larger than a 14 in an overlocker. 

ELX needles are designed for overlockers, especially those that have coverstitch capabilities.

Needle Size Matters

Larger needles accommodate thicker threads.  A Size 14 needle is needed for most 40wt threads.  A size 11 and 12 needles are perfect for 50wt.

Larger needles are needed for heavier fabrics too.  For example, Jeans needles are definitely needed for sewing on denim.  Sizes 14, 16 and 18 are appropriated depending on the project and the number of layers. 

The correct needle protects your machine.

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