NEEDLES

SCHMETZ Needles

Single- incl. Universal, Embroidery, Quilting, Topstitch & More
Twin- incl. Univ, Embroidery, Metallic, Jeans & More
Special- incl. Triple & Wing
Overlocker

NEEDLE PARTS

SHANK - The upper part of the needle which is inserted into the needle bar & locked into place with a needle clamp screw. The back side of the shank and the front rounded. ALWAYS insert the needle with the flat side facing away from you.
SHAFT - The lower part of the needle below the shank.
GROOVE - The hollowed out area on the front of the needle just above the eye.
EYE - The opening in the tip of the needle for the thread.
POINT - The tip of the needle which punches the hole in the needle.
Sewing machine needles come in many different types and sizes. The one you use depends on the type & weight of fabric you intend to sew. The lower the needle number the finer the needle.

#60 - Silks
#70 - Lightweight fabrics
#80 - Medium weight fabrics
#90 - Medium heavyweight fabrics
#100 - Heavy weight fabrics
#110 - Upholstry fabrics.

TO AVOID PUCKERING

     Apart from tension, you can help eliminate puckering, especially in fine fabrics, by using a fine sharp needle and a straight stitch throat plate.
     The fine sharp needle will punch through the fabric with less drag and the straight stitch throat plate will give more support to the fabric as the needle punches through it.
     A straight stitch throat plate has a round hole for the needle as opposed to the wide hole designed for zig zag sewing. This is often an optional accessory for your machine. You will get the best, even seam using a Jean/Sharp needle with a straight stitch throat plate.
     As well as a straight stitch plate, a straight stitch foot is also recommended because, like the throat plate, it has a small round hole instead of a wide rectangular one.
      In machine embroidery, it is important to use a thick enough needle to punch a big enough hole to allow the embroidery thread sufficient access to prevent damage to the thread and thereby shredding and breaking.

HOME SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE ABC.

With many thanks to SCHMETZ for the following

ARTIFICIAL LEATHER use JEANS #90 or #100 or LEATHER #80 or #90.
ARTIFICIAL SILK use UNIVERSAL #60 0r #70.
BED SPREADS use JEANS #90 or #100.
BED TICKS use UNIVERSAL #80 or #90 with a large number of stitches/cm and the bobbin thread thicker than the needle thread.
BLOUSES use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
BONDED FABRICS ( artificial leather, vinyl or waxed cloth) use JEANS #90.
CALF LEATHER use LEATHER #80 0r #90. Leather needles are not suitable for textiles.
CAMBRIC use UNIVERSAL #70.
CANVAS use JEANS #90, #100 or #110.
CHIFFON use UNIVERSAL NEEDLE #60 0r #70.
COARSE KNITTED MATERIAL use BALL POINT #80 or #90.
CORDUROY use JEANS #90, #100 or #110. TEXT
CURTAINS use BALL POINT #80 or #90.
DECORATIVE THREADS use EMBROIDERY #75 or #90.
DENIMS use JEANS #90, #100 or #110.
DOUBLE ORNAMENTAL SEAMS use appropriate TWIN NEEDLE (only for zig zag machines with transversal hook!).
DRESSES use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
ELASTIC MATERIAL (jersey, lycra) STRETCH #75 or #90 or BALL POINT #80 or #90.
EMBROIDERING use EMBROIDERY #75 or #90.
FOUNDATION GARMENTS use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80 or BALL POINT #70 or #80.
GEORGETTE use UNIVERSAL #60 or #70.
GOATSKIN use LEATHER #80 or #90.
HALF-LINEN use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
HEAVY WOVENS use UNIVERSAL #70, #80 or #90.
HELANCA use BALL POINT #70 or #80.
HIGHLY ELASTIC KNITTED MATERIAL (lycra, silk jersey) use STRETCH #75 or #90.
JEANS use JEANS #90, #100 or #110.
JERSEY use BALL POINT #70 or #80 or STRETCH #75 or #90.
KNITWEAR use BALL POINT #70, #80 or #90.
LEATHER (also hard artificial leathers) use #100 or #110.
LIGHTWEIGHT FABRICS ( linen, poplin, silk) use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
LIGHTWEIGHT JERSEY use STRETCH #75.
LINEN use UNIVERSAL #80 or #90.
LYCRA use STRETCH #90 or BALL POINT #90.
METALLIC THREADS use METALLICA #75 or #90.
MICROFIBRE FABRICS use MICROTEX #60, #70. #80 or #90.
ORGANDY use UNIVERSAL #60 or #70.
OVERALLS use JEANS #100 or #110.
PATCHWORK use QUILTING #75 or #90.
PIGSKIN use LEATHER #80 or #90.
POPLIN use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
QUILTING use QUILTING # 75 or #90.
SAIL CLOTH use JEANS #90 or #100.
SHIRTS use UNIVERSAL #70 or #80.
SILK use MICROTEX #70.
SILK JERSEY use STRETCH #75 or #90.
SINGLE JERSEY use STRETCH #75.
SUEDE use LEATHER #80 or #90.
SUITS use UNIVERSAL #89 or #90.
TABLE LINEN use UNIVERSAL #90 or #100.
TRIPLE ORNAMENTAL SEAMS use TRIPLE NEEDLE (only for zig zag machines with transversal hook).TEXT ]TUCKING use appropriate twin needle 2.5/75 (only for zig zag machines with transversal hook).
TURKISH HEMSTITCH use WING NEEDLE #100 or #120.
VINYL use JEANS #90.
WAXED CLOTH use Jeans #90.

Althea's Needles and Threads Online
7 Bayside Drive - Green Point NSW 2251

Order by Phone weekdays
from 10AM to 2PM
Phone 02 4369 7803