Choose the Right Needle from the Haystack

Are you confused about what kind of sewing machine needles you need, and how often the needle should be changed? Do you just muddle through the whole process and hope for the best?

Ruth Middleton explains the different types of needles available today for sewing and quilting.

• Microflex/Sharps have sharp points designed for tightly woven fabrics such as quilting cottons, microfibers, fleece and batiks.
• Embroidery needles have a fine sharp point and larger eye. They are designed to stack stitches closely together.
• Topstitch needles are bigger so they go through heavier fabrics or multiple layers.
• Quilting needles have a fine tapered point designed to stitch through multiple layers of cotton fabric when piecing or quilting.
• Universal needles are designed for flannels, homespun, and other woven and knit fabrics. These are not recommended for batiks and tightly woven fabrics.
• Denim needles are very strong with a large sharp point so they pierce heavy fabrics and carry heavier threads.
• Metallic needles are specialty needles with a fine sharp point, elongated eye and deeper groove to help protect fragile, metallic threads. Change these more often throughout your project than you would other needles because the thread can make a groove in the needle and cause problems.
• Titanium needles have an extra coating which makes them stronger and less likely to drag from adhesives. These are not recommended for everyday sewing.