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How often should you change Serger/Overlocker needles? Sewing machines use every 6/8 hours as a guide
sewpelican   Intermediate AUSTRALIA Member since 8/18/11 Posts: 147	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/29/13 11:35 PM I have never changed my serger needles to start a new project or after a certain time of serging. My SM book says when you begin a new project start with a new needle, or after 6 to 8 hours of sewing, discard needle old needle. What does everyone do? I have BL Evolution which takes special needles , not the SM schmertz universal. -- Edited on 1/29/13 11:38 PM --due to spelling! -- Edited on 1/29/13 11:39 PM -- ------ Joan Sunshine Coast QLD
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2/14/11 Posts: 448	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewpelican << 3 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 0:21 AM I rarely change mine and I don't have any problems with the stitches. You know that saying...'If it ain't broke don't fix it.' Well, should I have problems with the stitches I'll change them but not until. Same on my SM's. ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
Skaapie Intermediate SOUTH AFRICA Member since 3/26/09 Posts: 90	Login to reply to this post 5 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 1:42 AM I change my sewing machine needle depending on what fabric I'm sewing - so knit gets a ball-point or stretch needle and denim gets a denim needle etc. Finer wovens will get a smaller universal needle eg. 70. However, I don't necessarily discard a needle after 8 hours of sewing. Sometimes I think manufacturers tell you these things to make you buy more. And I don't believe in unneccesarily filling landfills :-) But if my machine is skipping stiches, the first thing I check/change is the needle.
arianamaniacs   Advanced AUSTRIA Member since 6/11/04 Posts: 938	Login to reply to this post 6 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 3:33 AM I never change my serger needles until they get break/bend. Never had a problem with any of the stitching either. I'm also one that change needles according to fabric type, but if I'm sewing standard wovens for a long time, I don't change the needles between projects.
nancy2001   Advanced AL USA Member since 12/3/05 Posts: 6107	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 6:59 AM I change my serger needles very infrequently and use a 90 sharp on everything. I've never had a problem. ------ The essence of life is statistical improbability on a colossal scale. Richard Dawkins
PattyE   Intermediate MI Member since 9/7/10 Posts: 650	Login to reply to this post 3 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 9:17 AM I start every project with new needles in the sewing machine and serger. I've even been known to change needles midway through a long project.
Pj3g   Intermediate WI USA Member since 2/14/11 Posts: 448	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewpelican << 6 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 9:54 AM I should've added to my original post that I do change my SM machine needle to match the fabric. I really like watching Peggy Sagers (of Silhouete Patterns) webcasts Peggy said that 'need to change needles often' is not necessary. She said she uses the same one for months and she sews constantly! She also said she uses size 10 universal needles for everything she sews. She was talking about SM's - not sergers - but still, isn't that interesting!?! Made me feel better about my own lack of using fresh needles for everything. -- Edited on 1/30/13 9:55 AM -- ------ Thank you Lord for my Mother who taught me the joy of sewing.
Doris W. in TN   Intermediate TN USA Member since 2/9/04 Posts: 6741	Login to reply to this post In reply to sewpelican << 4 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 10:15 AM I only change my serger needles if the weight of the fabric calls for it or I can't remember how many years ago I last changed them. Not a good example, I guess. On the other hand, I change sewing machine needles frequently.
LynnRowe   Advanced BC CANADA Member since 3/9/09 Posts: 6747	Login to reply to this post 4 members like this. Date: 1/30/13 12:31 PM New needle(s) for every project; sewing machine, serger, coverstitch machine. Same rule for all, for me. ------ I heart Panzy, Pfaff Creative Performance, the sewing machine love of my life! And Rupert (Pfaff 2023), Baby (BL Enlighten), Victor (BLCS), Ash (Bernina 350SE), Pal (Bernina 530), Kee (Bernina 750) and the Featherteen Flock! Most of all, I heart Woo (HimmyCat). Until we meet again, my beautiful little boy. I love you.
Sonut   Intermediate MI USA Member since 1/9/05 Posts: 10	Login to reply to this post 1 member likes this. Date: 1/30/13 7:41 PM I changed needles once when I was having looping in the needle thread on my sample before I started the garment. New needle seemed to fix the problem. Otherwise I change if I'm using a very light fabric or heavy denim to a different size needles.

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