Quick Reference Chart
| Sewing Machine Needle Type | Needle Size | Fabric Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ball point needles | 90 (14) | Medium heavy knits, double knit |
| Stretch needles | 75 (11) | Light lycra, elasticised fabrics |
| 90 (14) | Elastic, heavier lycra, elasticised fabrics | |
| Jeans needles | 90 (14) | Denim, tightly woven fabrics |
In this post
What size needle do you use for stretch fabric?
Use the ball point needle when sewing on stretch fabrics or fabrics where skipped stitches easily occur. We recommend needle HG-4BR (Organ). Schmetz needles “JERSEY BALL POINT” 130/705H SUK 90/14 may be used as a substitute.
How do I know what needle size I need?
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind: the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size and the heavier the fabric the larger the needle size. Many times the thread you will be using for your sewing project will also determine the type of needle you choose.
What is an 80 12 needle used for?
Knits/Jersey (80/12 Ball Point and Polyester or All-Purpose Thread) Ball point needles are made especially for sewing on knits, such as T-shirt fabric and jersey. The ball point won’t damage or break the fibers as it pierces the fabric.
When would you use a 90 14 needle?
Quilting Machine quilting 75/11 and 90/14 Quilting needles feature a sharp, tapered point and are designed to stitch through thick layers and intersecting seams. Use them for piecing quilts and machine quilting the layers together.
Why is my sewing machine skipping stitches on stretch fabric?
The Needle Isn’t Seated Correctly
If you are using the correct needle for your fabric, thread, and the technique you’re doing but are still getting skipped stitches, try pulling out and reinserting the needle. Ensure that it’s not inserted the wrong way, slightly rotated, or not firmly inserted all the way to the top.
Is a ballpoint needle the same as a stretch needle?
Stretch – Stretch needles have a slightly less rounded point than ballpoint needles and a specially designed eye and scarf that prevents skipped stitches.
Which needle to use for which fabric?
As a rule of thumb, the lower the number the thinner the needle shaft. 70/10 needles are made to sew fine, lightweight fabrics like chiffon, satin, and organza. Think fabrics for formal wear. 80/12 needles are appropriate to sew lightweight fabrics like lawn, faille, and georgette.
What is a 27 gauge needle used for?
Abstract. Many dentists prefer using smaller gauge (27- or 30-gauge) needles for anesthesia injection, believing that needles with a smaller diameter result in less injection pain than wider diameter needles.
What do the numbers on needles mean?
In simple terms, the larger the number the thicker the needle. The smaller number relates to the American system and ranges from 8 to 20 and the larger number is for the European system and ranges from 60 to 120. Common sewing machine needle sizes are 60/8, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, 90/14 and100/16.
What do you use a 75 11 needle for?
Needle Sizes
| Size | Benefit |
|---|---|
| 70/10 | Used for fine fabrics, design details and small letter. Good needle size for a larger majority of embroidery work. |
| 75/11 | Standard needle size and good for the majority of embroidery applications. |
What is a 100 18 needle used for?
Large needle sizes – 100/16 and 120/18 – These are for heavyweight, tough fabrics, like thick leather, heavyweight canvas, and dense upholstery fabrics. They are used with heavyweight threads such as upholstery and topstitching threads.
What is a 75 11 needle for?
Embroidery Gold Needles (Titanium) 75/11, 90/14 Titanium needles have a nitride coating, a slightly rounded point and an enlarged eye. The coating resists adhesive residue on fabrics, are perfect for coarse and densely woven fabrics, as well as fabrics with fragile specialty threads.
What is a size 14 needle used for?
Size 14 (European 90) – Choose when sewing medium-weight fabrics such as rayon, gabardine, satin, chino, linen, denim; thick quilts. Use ballpoint size 14 for light to medium-weight knits such as tricot or jersey.
What is the best size needle for quilting?
When hand-quilting a quilt, choose a needle with a large eye that will accommodate medium-weight thread. You may want to select a size 7 or 8, as the shaft will be longer and easier to work through several layers of your quilt. The higher the number, the shorter and finer it is with sewing needles.
Can I use a 90 14 needle for embroidery?
Ball point needles (golden colored) 90/14 are not recommended for embroidery, as they may bend or break, causing injury.
What kind of thread do you use for stretch fabric?
polyester thread
All-purpose polyester thread will work fine as it has some give when stretched. Cotton thread is not recommended. If the item you’re making needs to be stretchy or form-fitting to the body, you may want to use elastic thread. Only use elastic thread in the bobbin of your sewing machine, and wind it by hand.
Can you use a universal needle on stretch fabric?
Universal needles
They will work for most of the recommended fabrics for Safran: stretch cotton sateen, light twill, stretch suede…
Can you sew stretch fabric with a normal needle?
All stretchy knit fabrics should be sewn with a special needle; either a ballpoint or a stretch needle. A ballpoint needle consists of a rounded tip, which pushes the yarns away when sewing.
What needle do you use to stretch jeans?
Sewing stretch denim with a straight stitch can lead to popped seams (ask me how I know!). A new denim needle, either size 90 or size 100, is vital. Denim needles will penetrate the thick fabric with minimal deflection and are less likely to break.
What needle do you use to sew knits?
ballpoint needle
A standard ballpoint needle is ideal for most knit projects. Ballpoint needles, also called jersey needles, typically come in sizes 70/10 to 100/16. Use a smaller needle for finer knits and a larger needle for heavier fabrics.