Tricks On How To Choose The Right Needle For Your Project

According to my experience, needles can make or break your project.

This is not a bold statement. I have failed several times at many projects just because I didn’t pay attention to choosing the right needles.

Don’t make the same mistake I did. Don’t wait until skipped stitches, uneven seams, or broken threads happen to find a solution. Want to know which sewing machine is the right choice for beginners? Check out this list of the best rated sewing machines for beginners to find out.

How to choose the right needles

The trick to choosing the right needles is the type and size.

You want to pick the type according to the type of textiles and the size by how thick the thread is and how heavy the fabric is.

Each sewing machine, even the budget-friendly model, should be accompanied by a manual that has this information. If you are still in search of a suitable model, here is the list of the best sewing machine for beginners for your reference.

First, equip yourself with some basic knowledge about needles:

The shank: the part that goes into the sewing machine. The flat side of the shank will face the back of the machine.

The blade: this is what decides the size of the needle.

The shaft: the body that locates below the shank.

The groove: this is what runs along the shaft and holds the thread. The safe ratio between the diameter of the thread and that of the groove is 2/5.

The point: The tip of the needle that sews through the fabric and feeds thread to the bobbin hook.

The eye: the hole through which the thread goes. I have heard many people complain that the eye of the needle is too small for them to put the thread through. If you have difficulty threading too, remember to pick a machine with the auto-threading feature.

The scarf: the indentation at the back of the needle. The longer scarf can help prevent skipped stitches, shorter ones will require a better-timed machine.

Types of needles

If you intend to be a hobbyist, you just need to care about three main types of needles.

Universal needle: the needle’s tip is a bit rounded. This type of needle is suitable for woven materials.

The Jersey needle’s tip is ballpoint-like so it is suitable for knitted materials because it will slip right through without damaging the fiber.

Stretch needles should not be confused with Jersey needles even though they have the same ballpoint-like tip.

Many people choose an advanced sewing machine in the hope that they will not have to care about the needle size anymore. This cannot be further from the truth. No matter what type of machine you use, the right needle can still make or break your projects.

If you are interested in the best sewing machine for beginners that can do most of the job for you, read more best starter sewing machine reviews and buying guides online at Crafts Selection to gain a better idea.

Now you know the very basics of needle sizes, now it’s time to start applying and testing what you have learned.