You can use them with any fabric type, but they are more expensive than uncoated needles. This is because they maintain their point shape over longer periods of use and heat up less from the friction from high-speed stitching. Some embroidery machine needles have a gold or titanium coating on the point and shaft.Ĭoated needles penetrate dense fabrics better and last up to 5 times longer than their counterparts. Unless your project obviously requires otherwise (for instance, metallic thread), start with a universal embroidery needle, the most common type. Unless the embroidery needle package designates otherwise, most generic machine embroidery needles are universal. As such, universal needles work well on woven fabrics and stretchy, knit fabrics. Universal embroidery needles have a slightly rounded point that falls between the other two types. Sometimes sharp and ballpoint embroidery needles are difficult to find, so you might be better off using a sewing needle. Ballpointīallpoint embroidery needles, on the other hand, have a rounded point that pushes aside fibers of knit fabrics rather than piercing and damaging them. Sharp embroidery needles have the sharpest point and penetrate through dense, woven fabrics. Sometimes projects with water-soluble topping also need a sharp needle to pierce well. There are three different types of point shapes on machine embroidery needles: universal, sharp, and ballpoint. T hicker needles leave larger holes in the fabric when embroidering, so start small and increase size only if needed. Unless I know my project will require a thick needle, I start with a 75/11 embroidery needle.
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The reverse applies to smaller needle numbers. The larger the numbers, the thicker the shaft of the needle, the thicker threads it can accommodate, and the thicker, denser fabric it can penetrate. The first number is the European size followed by a second number, the American size. While you can find embroidery needles in a large range of sizes if you look hard enough (around 65/9 to 110/18), the most common are 75/11, 80/12, and 90/14. Embroidery Machine Needle Sizes Explained
#Universal brand sewing machine parts how to#
I’ll explain more later about how to choose the type to start with soon. (If you want to learn more about sewing needles, check out my guide to sizes and types of sewing machine needles.) Sometimes, simply switching to an embroidery needle can fix embroidery issues! And, in other cases, selecting a sewing needle will do the same. The larger eye decreases friction from the thread, which decreases thread breakage and shredding. What’s the difference between a sewing machine needle and an embroidery needle?Įmbroidery needles have an elongated eye, widened groove, and a special scarf to accommodate embroidery thread. While you can use sewing machine needles for machine embroidery, embroidery needles are specifically designed for optimal success with embroidery projects. Not pictured is the short groove called the scarf, which allows the machine hook to pick up the thread to form a stitch. Then comes the eye of the needle, which is the small hole near the point, or tip, of the needle where the thread passes through. Then comes the shaft, which is the round part with a groove through which thread travels. The fat, top part of the needle is called the shank and is inserted into your machine with the flat portion facing the back. While this is my sewing machine needle in the image above, the parts are the same on an embroidery needle. Choosing the Best Machine Embroidery Needle – Conclusion.
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How to Choose the Best Machine Embroidery Needle – Tutorial.Embroidery Machine Needle Sizes Explained.