Gone are the days of using only 1 type of sewing machine needle for all of your tasks.
Today with so many different types of fabrics and threads,
it is important to know which needle will give you the best result to prevent shredded threads,
skipped stitches, and in general poor quality stitching.

``Needle selection can make or break your stitch!`

Let`s take a look at the parts of a sewing machine needle

Shank - is the base of the needle which is inserted into the sewing machine.
All domestic sewing machines use needles that have a flat side.

Shaft or Blade is the rest of the needle from the bottom of the shank to the tip.
The size of the needle is determined by the diameter of the shaft/blade.

Scarf is the indentation on the back of the needle just above the eyed.
This allows the hook on the bobbin case to get close to the eye to catch the thread so a stitch is formed.

Long Groove is the channel where the thread sits as the needle passes through the fabric.
The shape and depth of the groove varies with different types of needles

Eye - is the hole in the blade which allows the thread to pass through the needle.
The size and shape of the eye varies with the size and type of needle.
The eye must be large enough to allow the thread to flow through.

Point - is the end of the needle which pierces the fabric making the hole for the threaded needle.
Needles have different shaped points depending upon its use.

Some Important Tips on Sewing Machine Needles

Avoid sewing over pins as they can take the point off the needle
Always keep a good selection of different kinds of needles in different sizes on hand.
There is nothing more frustrating than being ready to sew, only to find that you do not
have a suitable sewing machine needle.
Include the right sewing machine needle in your list of needle supplies when
purchasing items for a project.
Change your needle every 6 to 8 hours of sewing or at the start of each
new project or whenever you encounter poor stitching quality.
Thread breakage may be due to a dull needle or one with a burr.
Bent needles may break or cause skipped stitches.
So when was the last time you changed your sewing machine needle?

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Order Minimum is $10.00 before shipping and any applicable taxes.

New Chrome Professional Grade Needles by Schmetz
Take a look!

Universal Needles

For all general sewing of most woven and knit materials.
For use in all household sewing machine brands and types for which needles with a flat shank are required.
Has a slightly rounded but sharp point.
Can be used on wovens and fine knits.
All packages have 5 needles

NN-300 Size 60/8.......$12.39 - 10 pack - use for fine fabrics & delicate heirloom sewing
NN-301 Size 70/10.....$12.39 - 10 pack

Packages of needles below are 5 packs.
NN-300a Size 60/8.......$6.75
NN-301a Size 70/10.....$6.75
NN-302 Size 80/12.......$6.75
NN-303 Size 90/14.......$6.75 - for medium weight fabrics
NN-304 Size 100/16.....$6.75 - for heavy weight fabrics
NN-305 Size 110/18.....$6.75 - for upholstery type fabrics
NN-306 Assorted.........$6.75 - 5 pack

Click for Larger image

Ball Point Needles (Jersey Needles)

The point is more rounded than the universal needles so the needle slides between the yarn of knit fabric rather than piercing it. This eliminates damage to the knit fabric. Use on coarse knits, interlock knits and knits that tend to run if snagged. 5 needles per package

NN-307 Size 70/10.......$6.79
NN-308 Size 90/14.......$6.79
NN-310 Size 100/16.....$6.79
NN-310a Assorted.......$6.79

Picture of package of ball point needles

Click for larger image

Stretch Needles

The medium ball point, specially designed eye, and scarf help reduce skipped stitches on synthetic suedes, elastic knitwear, and stretch fabrics. The special construction prevents skipped stitches. Five (5) needles per card.
Remember to stretch the fabric as you sew to allow for the give in your seam.
This needle also works well on fleece and faux fur.

NN-311 Size 75/11.............$8.98
NN-312 Size 90/14.............$8.98

Click for larger image

Metallic Needles

These needles feature elongated eyes that make them perfect for sewing metallic and other specialty threads. The elongated eye prevents shredding and breaking of metallic threads.
Five(5) needles per card .

NN-352 Size 90/14......$8.98

Click for larger image

Microtex Needles

These needles feature a very slim acute point.

Use on micro fibers, polyester, silk foils, artificial leather, coated materials .
Very thin acute point creates beautiful topstitching and perfectly straight stitches for quilt piecing when precision is paramount.

NN-317 Size 80/12.......$8.50

Superior Titanium Coated Topstitching Needles

Titanium needles have been available for the long arm and industrial machines for sometime.
These are the first titanium coated topstitch needles for the home machine.
An ultra thin coating of titanium nitride is applied to the needles so the needles stay sharp longer
outlasting other topstitch needles.
They are recommended for Piecing, Quilting, Embroidery, Applique and Construction.
These needles accommodate all types of threads including metallics as they have a larger eye and deeper grooves.Some refer to this needle as the "Magic" needle.

They do make a difference to your sewing experience!
NN-451....Size 70/10....for quilting, applique & embroidery using very fine threads - 60 to 100 wt.....out of stock
NN-452....Size 80/12....for piecing, applique and sewing using fine threads - 50 wt..............................$9.98
NN-453....Size 90/14....for quilting and embroidery using medium threads - 40 wt...............................$9.98

Super Nonstick Needles

These needles feature a Universal Needle with a non-stick coating of NIT (Nickel-Phosphor-PTFE). Extra-large eye is suitable for embroidery work.
The eye corresponds to a needle two sizes larger (i.e., the 70/10 NonStick eye is similar to a size 90/14 regular Universal eye).
Distinctive scarf with the special design of the eye ensures prevention of skipped stitches.
Slightly rounded point provides trouble-free sewing on most materials.
Strong conical blade reinforcement easily handles thick fabrics like denim.
Fabric Use: Machine embroidery; hook and loop tapes; general sewing.

NN-454..Size70/10....$9.98
NN-455..Size 80/12...$9.98
NN-456..Size 90/14...$9.98

nonstick machine needles

Click for larger image

Leather Needles

The cutting point allows perfect penetration of leather, artificial leather, and similar materials. Do not use on knit or woven fabrics. Five (5) needles per card.

NN-328 Size 70/10 ....$9.39
NN-356 Assorted.......$9.39 (2 size 80, 2 size 90 1 size 100)

Schmetz leather needles
Click for larger image

Self-Thread (Handicap Needles)

This is a Universal Needle with a small slip-in threading slot in the eye to make threading effortless. These needles are also commonly referred to as Handicap Needles. Five (5) needles per card.

NN-325 80/12......$9.39
NN-326 90/14......$9.39

picture of handicap needles, also known as quick threading needles

Click for larger image

Universal Spring Needles

The spring needle has a wire spring above the point so fabric will not ride up onto the needle when the presser foot is removed and feed dogs are dropped for free motion quilting.

NF-091....Size 70 Universal...............$7.50
NF-092....Size 80 Universal...............$7.50
NF-093....Size 90 Universal...............$7.50

Universal Spring Needles for Quilting

NF-095....Size 75 Quilting.........$7.98
NF-097....Size 90 Quilting.........$7.98

Stretch Spring Needle

NF-115....Size 75 Stretch.....$7.98- only 1 in stock

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Order Minimum is $10.00 before shipping and any applicable taxes.

What are Twin Needles?

Twin needles are constructed with two needles mounted on a cross bar from a single shaft.
They can be used with zig zag sewing machines that thread from front to back only.
Sews two rows of stitching at the same time producing perfect parallel rows.
There are 2 numbers with each needle. e.g. 2.0/80 The 2.0 is the distance in mm between the two needles and the 80 is the needle size.
Care must be taken that your presser foot and the throat plate will accommodate the width of the needles even when straight stitching. Always check slowly by using the hand wheel to see if the needles clear the presser foot and the throat plate.
Uses: pintucking, heirloom sewing, decorative topstitching, hemming and more.

Twin Needle

Constructed with two needles on a cross bar from a single shaft. Can be used with zig zag sewing machines
that thread front to back.
Sews two rows of stitching at the same time. One (1) needle per card.

NN-340 Size 1.6/70.......$7.98
NN-341 Size 2.5/80.......$7.98

Stretch Twin Needle

NN-342 Size 4.0/75.....$9.98

Click for larger image

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Order Minimum is $10.00 before shipping and any applicable taxes.

Back to Needles Index

Back to Hand Sewing Needles Back to Notions Index

Sewing Machine Needles

Some Important Tips on Sewing Machine Needles

New Chrome Professional Grade Needles by Schmetz Take a look!

The spring needle has a wire spring above the point so fabric will not ride up onto the needle when the presser foot is removed and feed dogs are dropped for free motion quilting.

NF-091....Size 70 Universal...............$7.50 NF-092....Size 80 Universal...............$7.50 NF-093....Size 90 Universal...............$7.50

NF-095....Size 75 Quilting.........$7.98 NF-097....Size 90 Quilting.........$7.98

Stretch Spring Needle NF-115....Size 75 Stretch.....$7.98- only 1 in stock

New Chrome Professional Grade Needles by Schmetz
Take a look!

NF-091....Size 70 Universal...............$7.50
NF-092....Size 80 Universal...............$7.50
NF-093....Size 90 Universal...............$7.50

NF-095....Size 75 Quilting.........$7.98
NF-097....Size 90 Quilting.........$7.98

Stretch Spring Needle

NF-115....Size 75 Stretch.....$7.98- only 1 in stock