HOW TO SELECT A SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE FOR YOUR SEWING PROJECT

I am constantly asked at work which needle to select for your sewing machine. So I thought I would cover some of the basics here.

There are two things to keep in mind when selecting a needle, the type and the size.

The type of needle needed will be based on what fabric that is being sewing.  Needle size is affected by the thickness of the thread and the weight of the fabric you will be using for your project.  Rule of thumb, the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size and heavy fabrics use the larger needle size.

Needle types

Universal needles have a slightly rounded tip, and this general purpose needle should be used on woven fabric, as well as some sturdy knits.

Jersey needles have a medium ballpoint tip designed especially for knit fabrics because it slips between the knit fibers and does not break or damage them while sewing.

Stretch needles, often confused with Jersey needles, are also a medium ballpoint tip, but these have a special eye and scarf that are designed for extremely stretchy fabrics and elastic. Swimwear is an ideal application for this type of needle.

Denim/Jeans Needle, modified medium ball point and reinforced blade. For denim and similar fabrics. For penetrating extra thick woven fabrics, denims, or quilts with minimum needle deflection, reduced risk of needle breakage and skipped stitches.

Quilting Needle, special taper to shaft and sharp point to prevent damage to material sewn in layers.

There are more needles available, however, these are the most commonly used ones.

Needle lifespan

Needles are super cheap, so change your needle often, they only have a lifespan of 6 to 8 hours of sewing time. This can be even less if the fabric is particularly tough to sew. So change your needles often! Do not risk damaging your project by using a dull needle.

HOW TO SELECT AND BUY NOTIONS.

There are a couple of ways to choose thread to use when sewing.

Purchase quality thread. Cheap thread is cheap thread and will not last. Quality thread costs more but is definitely worth it to ensure the quality and durability of your project in the long-run, as well as making the stitching process easier and more enjoyable, especially in the case of embroidering.

Select sewing thread according to the right colour. Once you have decided which type and strength of thread is suitable for your project, you will need to match its colour. This is where it is a really good idea to purchase the entire quantity of thread in the colour you are using to ensure that you keep the same batch colour quality throughout the sewing project. If you cannot find an exact colour match, select a colour of thread one to two shades darker than the fabric colour to blend in. Light thread will stand out more.

Another option is using a grey thread, as it works for all sorts of lighter-coloured fabrics.

Unroll your thread and let it lay over the fabric. And/or look at the selvages of the fabric it always gives you what colours you should choose.

Buttons and Zippers

This is what I scrimp and save on. There is a gold mine of zips and buttons to be found secondhand; whether online or in your local Op Shop. I have a stash of these on hand to match any project I am doing. The only time I use new zips is for paying customers. 

That was the last of my four presentations that I made at work. Next I am working on a few tutorials for the beginner sewing. Hmm what to start with?