The most common technical issue with sewing machines is the wrong choice of a sewing needle. The poor choice of a sewing needle could lead to a number of problems such as:
- poor quality of stitch
- unwanted breakage of the needle
- difficulties in working with the selected fabric.
Hence, it is essential to have discrete knowledge of sewing machine needles, their structure and the different types of sewing needles before buying one. The type of needle required also depends upon the type of fabric for which you need the needle. If you take online fashion designing courses, you will understand the importance of choosing the right kind of needle for your fabric.
Apart from that, understanding a sewing machine needle’s structure could help in understanding the different types of needles and their use. Students could be able to learn in detail about the different parts and uses of a needle in part-time fashion classes. The five parts of a needle are:
- the point
- eye
- scarf
- shaft
- shank
The shank is the part of the needle which is fit in the machine. It has a flat side that helps in knowing if the shank is inserted incorrectly in the machine. The eye in the needle is the hole used for sliding in the thread. You would find a smoothly tailored eye in good quality needles that prevent any unwanted shredding of the thread. The size of the eye varies according to the thread type that can be used with the needle.
The scarf in the needle is used for avoiding skipped stitches by taking the hook close to the eye of the needle. The thickness of the staff could vary based on the fabric. The point of a needle could also vary according to the fabric and thus imply different needle types such as chisel-shaped or ball-point needles.
Different types of sewing needles for sewing machine
Now, it would be reasonable to take a look at the different types of sewing machine needles to ensure the right choice of purchase.
- Universal needles are the most commonly used needles with different fabrics such as synthetic as well as some knit and woven fabrics. Polyester, silk or cotton threads are aptly suited for universal needles.
- Ballpoint needles have a rounded tip as compared to universal needles and are specifically intended for pushing the fibers in the fabric apart rather than cutting them. These needles are aptly suited for cotton knots, double knit, rib knits and other types of knit fabrics as they prevent running or laddering in the fabric after stitching.
- Stretch needles are noted for an extended scarf and are suitable for polyester and cotton wrapped polyester threads. These needles are suited for spandex, Lycra, silk jersey and highly elastic fabrics.
- Sharps needle is considered the ideal choice for layered fabric. They are noted by a stronger shaft that prevents bending or breakage alongside the sharp point which is helpful in smooth penetration of the fabric layers. The sharps needle is also known for a short and round eye that provides additional strength during the sewing process.
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You can also find that many online fashion design programs have the opportunities for learning about a wide range of other sewing machine needle types such as leather needles, jeans needles, embroidery needles, wing needles, twin needles, and meta file needles.
Take note of the above information and do some research on your own to land up with the right sewing needle. A helpful tip for the artists out there- Don’t be a miser in changing needles for every new project! They don’t cost a fortune, and you can be assured of better performance every time with a new needle as your tool.