Patterns
Sewing Machine Needles
A Guide to Sewing Machine Needle Selection
Information provided by the WHITE SEWING MACHINE COMPANY
The correct selection of sewing machine needles to suit the thread and fabric being sewn results in more satisfactory stitching. Fine fabrics should be sewn with fine a sewing machine needle, heavier fabrics with heavier sewing machine needles. For best results, sewing machine needles should be replaced when they become even slightly dull or bent or at the completion of every other garment.
The new all purpose golden ball sewing machine needle is ideal for working with knits, as well as woven synthetic and natural fibers. The elongated scarf virtually eliminates skipped stitches. The golden ball point will not damage delicate fibers.
A regular sewing machine needle is suggested for use with woven fabrics. Style 15 X 1 sewing machine needles, are used on the majority of household sewing machines, (European equivalent Syst 705). They range in sizes from 8 to 20 with the lower number indicating the finer sewing machine needle. Most popular sizes are 11 and 14.
A rounded "ball" point sewing machine needle is recommended for use with tricots, jerseys, lingerie and power net. Unlike sharp, pointed sewing machine needles which pierce fibers of knit / fabrics, destroying elasticity, ball points slip between fibers, preventing damage to fabric, and annoying skipped stitches. Select light or medium ball in the correct size to suit fabric.
A wedge cutting point sewing machine needle is recommended for use with leather and leather look vinyls.
Wedge cutting points pierce leather more easily than ordinary sewing machine needles, resulting in more satisfactory stitching. [All Denver Fabrics' wedge point sewing machine needles are identified as "leather sewing machine needles".]
A general rule when replacing sewing machine needles, is that the flat side of the sewing machine needle is placed to the back of the machine, if the bobbin is put in from the front. If the bobbin of the machine is put in from the side, the flat of the sewing machine needle is placed to the right.
