Ever wondered why there are so many different kinds of sewing machine needles available and which needle to use for your current project? When it comes to quilting, selecting the right sewing machine needle can greatly impact the quality of your work. Quilting involves stitching through multiple layers of fabric, batting, and sometimes even thicker materials like denim or wool. A lot of quilters also make quilted bags or decorative objects for their homes.
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Here are some recommendations for the best sewing machine needles for quilters according to the projects you're making:
Overall, the best sewing machine needle for quilters depends on the specific fabrics and threads you're using. The most important things to consider are: the fabric weight, type, number of layers, and the final effect you want to achieve.
Universal Needles: Universal needles are a versatile option and work well for most quilting projects. They have a slightly rounded point that can penetrate fabric layers without causing excessive damage. They come in various sizes, so choose a size that suits the weight of your fabrics.
These are what I typically use for piecing.
Quilting Needles: Quilting needles are specifically designed for quilting projects. They have a sharp point and a slightly tapered shaft, allowing them to pass through multiple layers of fabric and batting smoothly. Quilting needles also come in different sizes, so select the appropriate size for your project.
Microtex Needles: Microtex needles, also known as sharp needles, have an extremely fine and sharp point. These needles work well when quilting with densely woven fabrics, as they create precise and neat stitches. If you're working with delicate or tightly woven fabrics, microtex needles can be a good choice there as well.
Topstitch Needles: Topstitch needles have a larger eye and a deeper groove on the shaft, which makes them suitable for working with thicker threads. When you want to add decorative or thicker threads to your quilting, topstitch needles can accommodate them without causing thread breakage or skipped stitches.
Denim Needles: Denim needles are excellent for quilting projects that involve heavy or dense fabrics, such as denim, canvas, or upholstery fabrics. (Think bag-making projects too.) Denim needles have a sharp, strong point designed to penetrate multiple layers of thick material.
Other specialized sewing machine needles are made for working with garment fabrics such as stretch knits, jersey, lycra, spandex, or leather.
The variations are microscopic in some cases, but if you look closely you can see a slight difference in needle point, sharpness, eye size, etc.
For more detailed information on different types of sewing machine needles check out this helpful Sewing Machine Needle Guide by Klasse.
Choosing the appropriate needle size for your project will make a big difference in the final outcome.
The first number indicates the needle's European size, while the second number represents the corresponding American size. The larger the number, the larger the needle size.
Generally, smaller needle sizes (e.g., 70/10 or 80/12) work well with lighter fabrics, while larger sizes (e.g., 90/14 or 100/16) are suitable for heavier fabrics.
You can always consult your sewing machine manual or refer to the needle package for specific recommendations regarding needle sizes for different fabric types and weights.
(One thing that can be confusing is remembering smaller number = smaller machine needle size, where thread is the opposite: smaller number = heavier thread weight.)
To change a sewing machine needle, start by turning off the machine and unplugging it for safety. Raise the presser foot and remove any fabric or thread from the machine. Locate the needle clamp or screw that holds the needle in place, usually located on the side or front of the needle bar. Loosen the clamp or unscrew the screw, and carefully remove the old needle by pulling it straight down.
Take note of the needle's position and orientation. Take a new needle of the appropriate size and type for your project and insert it into the needle holder, making sure the flat side of the needle faces the back of the machine. Push the needle up as far as it will go, ensuring it is inserted correctly and securely. Tighten the clamp or screw to hold the needle in place, being careful not to overtighten. Double-check that the needle is properly installed and aligned. Finally, plug in the machine and test the needle by slowly turning the handwheel to ensure it moves up and down smoothly without hitting any parts. You are now ready to resume your sewing project with a fresh needle.
It's also essential to replace your needles regularly, as a dull or damaged needle can cause issues like skipped stitches or fabric damage.
The frequency of needle replacement in a sewing machine depends on various factors such as the type of fabric being sewn, the frequency of machine use, and the quality of the needles being used. As a general guideline, it is recommended to replace the needle after 8-10 hours of sewing time or for every 4-6 projects completed. However, if you notice any of the following signs, it's advisable to replace the needle immediately:
In addition to these signs, it's always a good practice to start a new project with a fresh needle, especially if you are switching to a different type of fabric. Remember to choose the correct needle size and type for the specific fabric and project you are working on. Regularly inspecting your needle and replacing it as needed will help maintain the quality of your sewing and prevent potential issues.
One tip if you're trying to save money on sewing machine needles, you can always buy the most common needle size that you use in bulk.
For an even more detailed description of sewing machine needles plus a printable sewing machine needle guide, check out this post from Sewing Machine Fun.
Regular sewing machine maintenance (including frequent simple cleaning) will also make a big difference in the quality of your sewing and longevity of your machine.
This post is sponsored by Baby Lock Sewing Machines. I have been working exclusively with Baby Lock since , trying and using multiple different sewing machines and have loved every one! Each one sews beautifully.
If you&#;re also looking to buy a sewing machine, I have a post here with tips to help you find just the right machine for your budget and skill level. Baby Lock has a fantastic collection of Beginner Level machines called the Genuine Collection.
You can read more about the Genuine Collection in my post about choosing a sewing machine or at any local Baby Lock retailer. Go HERE to find your local Baby Lock retailer.
Baby Lock machines are also available online from Sewing Parts Online.
Have any other favorite tips or recommendations for Sewing Machine Needles? Share them in the comments!
When I started my free motion quilting (FMQ) journey back in I didn't know much about needles or thread and I used what I had in hand. I experienced skipped stitches, thread fraying and breaking. I thought it was totally my fault because of the lack of experience. Slowly I gained experience and realized that the right supplies are the key to the success of machine quilting. If you are looking for the tips to improve your free motion skills, it might be worth reading what needles are the best for FMQ and why.
Free motion quilting is different from piecing. First, we work with a quilt sandwich that has 3 layers (top, batting and backing), second, we move it in different directions and third, the needle passes through all the layers at quite a high speed most of the time.
What characteristics of a needle are important for FMQ?
1. TYPE of Needle
The point is the primary distinguishing feature in needles. This is why there are so many different types of needles for sewing.
Points can be sharp or ball, or a hybrid of both (image from Wikipedia).
Universal needle, as the name suggests, is a multi-purpose needle that is good for a variety of projects. However this is not the right one to handle lots of layers. The point of a universal needle is sharp yet also slightly rounded, giving it the characteristics of a sharp and a ballpoint needle. This is why it is not suitable for FMQ.
FMQ requires sharp needles.
Quilting needles are designed for piecing and machine quilting through the quilt sandwich. The point style is slightly rounded with a tapered shaft that pierces through several layers of fabric at one time without damaging them.
Image courtesy www.schmetzneedles.comMicrotex Sharp Needles have a thin slender shaft and sharp point that makes them perfect for fine fabrics like poplins or Tana Lawn. They stitch through cotton fabric beautifully and are great for piecing as well.
Image courtesy www.schmetzneedles.comTop stitch needles have an extra large eye and deeper exaggerated groove down the shaft that is designed to protect the thread when sewing on particularly dense fabric or at high speeds. The point style is quite sharp and pointed. These needles are ideal for use with heavier fabrics or threads.
So these three needles Quilting, Microtex Sharp and Top stitch needles are the ones a quilter should consider using for FMQ. I use mostly Titanium coated Top stitch needles and I will explain why.
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There is another factor that is important for the quality of your stitching but often neglected.
Needles wear and need to be replaced regularly. According to the manufacturers`s tests, a regular needle lasts for up to only 8 hours of actual working time (when a thread passes through the needle at high speed, and the point of the needle goes up and down through fabric or a quilt sandwich). After that, the needle is worn out, the point is blunt, the needle can be even bent. That could be the reason why the thread on top of your machine frays or breaks.
Titanium-coated Topstitch needles have a thin layer of Titanium-nitride, a very tough substance with excellent abrasion resistance, which makes the needle stronger and keeps the point sharper for a longer time. This is why these needles last longer than regular needles up to 6 times. They are not cheap, but definitely worth the price.
Titanium Topstitch needles manufactured by both Superior and Organ. I have been using both brands for a few years. I must say that they perform equally well.
Here is a photo of the Quilting and Topstitch needle of the same size.
As you can see the eye of a Top stitch needle is more elongated compared with a Quilting needle. It means that the thread has more space to move freely when being stitched. Distance from eye to point is shorter with a Top stitch needle than with a Quilting needle. It means that less stress is put on the thread in the place where a stitch is formed. That is particularly important when working with cotton threads (for example, Aurifil) or an easy fraying metallic thread. Top stitch needle has a longer eye, which means more room for your thread to move with less friction. You can also use thicker threads with topstitch needles.
I came to the similar conclusion when using a fine 80wt Aurifil thread for EPP. It is very important to use a needle with a larger eye to avoid thread breaking.
Not only will the titanium coating make the needles better for their job, but also the shape of the needle will assure you that the threads and stitches will give smoother results.
Now you understand why the Titanium Topstitch needle is better for FMQ than any other kind of needle.
2. SIZE of Needle
Size of the needle refers to the diameter of the needle. It defines what type or thickness of fabric it should be used with as well as the weight of thread being used. It ranges from 60/8 to 120/20. The first number is the European size and refers to the needle shaft diameter in hundredths of a millimeter; the second number is the American size, using an arbitrary numbering system. The higher the number is, the thicker/heavier the needle is.
The general rule: the thicker thread is the bigger number of the needle you need to use:
- 60/8 and 70/10 needles are for very fine threads (100wt, 80wt or 60wt);
- 80/12 needles are for fine 50wt threads,
- 90/14 needles are for medium weight threads (40wt or metallic)
- 100/16 needles are for heavier threads such as 28 wt. and 12 wt.
If the needle is too fine for the size of thread used it will result in inconsistent stitches and broken threads.
The thinner needle is more prone to breaking and should be changed more often.
It is VERY important to experiment with different needles to find your favorite!
Happy Quilting!&#;
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