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Educate me on needles please what needles for what applications?
divabeadz Member since 2/11/12 Posts: 73	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/23/12 8:53 PM I know it's important to use the needles recommended per your sm user manual, but truthfully, I don't know what needles to choose for what type of sewing. I have both a serger and a sewing machine and have both manual's to refer to, but when I go to buy needles, there are so many choices I simply do not know which end is up. I'd like to have a greater knowledge about which needles to choose. Up till now, I have simply used what came with the machine.
marec   Intermediate OR USA Member since 5/11/08 Posts: 3600	Login to reply to this post In reply to divabeadz << Like this post Date: 3/23/12 9:03 PM Hi divabeadz, I just use a SM so the following is for that. You can use universal needles for most sewing, and if sewing knits, use a ball point needle. As you learn more about specific fabrics, you will probably want to become more specific about needles. Look online at fabric stores...they often will have recommendations for the type of needle to use with a fabric. ------ my blog: http://kf-biblioblog.blogspot.com/ Sewing through my pattern stash-125 completed.
goosegreen   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 1/9/05 Posts: 1791	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 3/23/12 9:04 PM My suggestion would be to visit the Schmetz needle webpage and maybe print the needle chart that I just linked to. I also have a handy Schmetz Needle ABC booklet which I picked up at my local fabric store. This also gives you info on which needle to use for various fabrics. ------ Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 5219	Login to reply to this post In reply to divabeadz << 1 member likes this. Date: 3/23/12 11:03 PM You can collect a lot of unnecessary types. My basics are: Stretch instead of ball point as the BP sometimes will skip stitches, Microtex and Jeans. Within those first two types, choose size according to the weight of fabric you will be sewing. ------ “I don’t give them Hell, I just tell the truth about them and they think it’s Hell.” — Harry Truman
solosmocker Advanced NY USA Member since 1/23/06 Posts: 1288	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/24/12 0:32 AM I also use the Stretch needles for knits, no problems. I use a Microtex for all other applications in the size necessary. ------ http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
Member since 12/31/69	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/24/12 1:53 AM I use sharps and ball points. Both my serger and sewing machines take the same kind of needles. Most of them I use a size 9 on, although I have a few fabrics that take an 11. Between these 2 is 80% of my sewing. (I buy needles 100 at a time.) I also have 14s for the rest and change depending on the stitches skipping or what-all. I buy 16 or jean needles as a case by case as needed, considering right now I have 500 or so needles in my sewing box.
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6147	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/24/12 7:51 AM Depending on the type sewing you do, you will only rarely need a highly specialized needle for a particular type of fabric. My default needle is a 90 sharps, and that works for 90% of my sewing -- knit tops and tailored wool jackets. When the 90 sharps doesn't work, I try something else. I have a broad selection of specialized needles (by both size and type) just in case I need them. Like Sew Ducky I own hundreds of needles, some of them so specialized, I'll probably never have the occasion to use them. But they are there just in case. The good news is that you can save lots of money by buying the Organ brand sharps ("regulars") or ball point needles (just as good as Scmetz) in packs of ten on the Cleaner's Supply website. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
CathrynR   Intermediate NH USA Member since 6/26/08 Posts: 705	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/24/12 8:10 AM I use stretch needles for knits. For all other, I remember what I read somewhere,......." why make a big hole when a small one will do the job". So I use the smallest size needle that can effectively work with the fabric/garment I am using. Sometimes you may need to change needle for different parts of a project, such as for stay stitching (one layer of fabric), buttonholes, top stitching, flat fell seams on heavy denim, etc. I test and use what works for what I am doing. Having a variety of needles on hand is a must for me. -- Edited on 3/24/12 8:10 AM --
divabeadz Member since 2/11/12 Posts: 73	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 3/24/12 9:08 AM Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for. That link you posted, Goosegreen, is so helpful! But then I looked in my manuals and I'm confused again...lol! My sewing machine manual (Juki f400) says to use HA x 1 (130/705H) and HA x 1 SP. And my serger manual (Juki Mo-644D) says to use 130/705H.
goosegreen   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 1/9/05 Posts: 1791	Login to reply to this post In reply to divabeadz << Like this post Date: 3/24/12 8:47 PM If you look at a pack of needles, you'll see that the 130/705H is just the type of needle. So your machines will take 'normal' schmetz needles or any other brand. The number at the bottom is the size of the needle & what you need to change for different fabrics. ------ Alison in suburbia - Sydney Australia My sewing blog: http://nosilasews.blogspot.com/

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