A Guide to Hand Sewing Needles - Which Needles To Choose? - Hand Sewing Needles Explained

This guide to hand sewing needles aims to explain the different types of needles, their properties, what types of sewing they are suitable for, and how numbers refer to their sizes. I talk about needles suitable for embroidery, English paper piecing, applique, quilting and general hand sewing.
I hope this guide is useful for anyone who is trying to choose the correct needle for hand sewing.
My Website:
www.vintagesew...
My Instagram:
/ vintagesewingbox
Music is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny on KZbin Audio Library

[@ninjablueflame6]

Well done! I recently discovered your lovely and inspiring tutorials and could listen to your kind, patient voice for hours. For the first time in my 65 years, I made a paper piecing project. It was your hexagon needle book and I thank you for that. I will give it to my mother who turns 85 tomorrow.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

thank you sooo much for such a lovely comment! I'm so happy to hear you've made the needle book and will give it to your mum, how lovely! I hope she has a wonderful birthday

[@charbynovak2061]

💐 Your calm spirit is very soothing! I also love hand sewing and this is very informative. 😊❤️👍

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Oh thank you! I’m so glad you enjoyed it and found it useful

[@sandramyer7081]

Your calm was also good for me, as well! Thank you!

[@jillcooper172]

Once again Emma a lovely and very well done video. It is so much fun to watch you sew and even though I have been hand sewing for 60 yrs now you are still teaching this old dog new tricks. LOL One thing I just recently discovered is I went to a vintage sewing shop near me and they had a couple of packages of needles from the 1940's and 50's. No one was buying them and I decided to try them. Oh my they are so wonderful to sew with they are much smoother than any other needles I have used, I don't think they will bend - they are beautiful and they just cost me $.25 not sure what he conversion is on that but it is just a few pennies. My 92 mom then cut open her 60 yr old pin cushion and there were about 125 needles buried in it. Boy did I hit the jack pot with those too.Thank you again for taking the time to do these videos

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

I love that you found some vintage needles Jill! That is fabulous. I think some things made it the past were just a better quality than the really mass produced things of nowadays. I was surprised when I started sewing with my gran’s threads that were almost 80 years old that they were perfect and lovely to stitch with. Thanks so much for watching, have a lovely week

[@Freddowasher5]

@@emmajonesvintagesewingbox Yes you're right Emma. Sewing equipment used to be made of Sheffield steel, like a lot of our cutlery. The quality was superb. I still have my Singer dressmaking scissors which are over 50 years old and they look brand new.

[@catrionawoodrow4562]

Thank you - this was very informative: I learned a lot! So pleased that you are doing the same with threads - you are a lovely teacher!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

That makes me really happy to hear. Thanks so much for watching 😊

[@munchkinheaven]

I totally agree, I have learned so much from Emma and her quiet way of speaking has given me confidence that I can achieve something that is hand sewn, I cannot learn if I am rushed or if the one teaching has a loud booming voice, but Emma is so softly speaking and actually shows in detail what she is doing that I am now making a quilt!

[@sharonnewton7726]

Hi Emma I've just come across your site. What a gem!!! I love your outlook on sewing & being comfortable to do things your own way! Most of us seek perfection but stress when that doesn't happen. So I'm going to put that into practise & just enjoy the whole process that you speak about.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Aww thank you Sharon, I appreciate your lovely comment and I hope you gets lots of enjoyment from your sewing 😊

[@nathaliebourre3578]

Good evening Emma! What a fabulous episode! I learnt so much, you are so clear and to the point (ahahah!) in your explanations and your voice is truly soothing! I also very much appreciated that there was no judgement and that you were careful in saying that all this, was what works for you. No “ put down” in disguise ... I shall start catching up on your other offerings since I discovered you only recently and already look forward to your next one! With warmest thanks from North Yorkshire 🍄🍂🍁

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Hi Nathalie! Thanks so much for your lovely comment and for watching this video, I’m glad it was useful. Have a lovely weekend 😊

[@loraineleuschke4186]

Helps me and I am looking forward to learning about hand sewing threads.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

I am so happy it was helpful

[@gloriawagner9405]

I'm always lost when it comes to what size to use I,do a lot of quilt binding for friends. Finding needles is still a problem in 2022. I do have a wonderful needle threader.

[@WhereWhoMe]

What a wonderful explanation! I'll admit that I got a little lost with all the different types of needles, so I ended up getting a starter kit that comes with everything to try out first.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad it was useful, a set of a mixture of needles sounds perfect

[@yunyunus66]

I love milliner needles and i used them for almost everything handsewing.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

I love them too 😊

[@kellybeckner8121]

Excellent as always my dear friend. I couldn't help but notice what you have hanging in the background. looks lovely as always!! Hope you are well and staying safe. Things are so out of hand over here across the pond... due to the election and covid. I'm just staying home and sewing. Take care babe.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Ahh thanks for watching Kelly. Sorry to hear about things being crazy, they are here too as the levels of virus where I live are very high and we aren’t allowed to go to peoples houses at the moment. The next few months are going to be a challenge but if we stay home and keep sewing we will get through it together. Take care and I hope you have a good week x

[@LyndaAlsford]

This was very helpful. The most helpful thing you said was choose what feels best for me. The only one I would recognise before is a tapestry needle.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

It's amazing how many different needles there are isn't it! And I don't like following rules, I always think do what feels right for you, then it will be more enjoyable

[@sandramyer7081]

I enjoyed learning about the types of needles- Lots of good information! I’m looking forward to threads, too. Thank so much!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

That’s great to hear Sandra, thanks so much for watching

[@PoppyPatchwork]

Thank you, very informative and I love your relaxed manner, Jayne from Poppy Patchwork

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Oh thank you Jane!

[@Santee2918]

Excellent video! Love your voice and the detail is wonderful. New subscriber - on now to find more from you. Thank you so much.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thanks and welcome! Appreciate you subscribing 🌸😊

[@laura1500]

Emma - thank you so much for going over the various types of needles. I plan to watch your video on different kinds of threads too. I am in the US so I hope I can find some high-quality needles here.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you for watching Laura 😊

[@bettyvaughn8883]

Thanks again for a great video! You are such a joy to watch and great information, I totally agree with Jill Cooper I have been sewing, quilting and embroidery for many years now but you bring fresh new ideas to us old dogs. I tried the hexi forms that you mentioned in a previous video and they are great!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Oh this comment really made me smile today, thank you Betty! This was so lovely to hear. Thanks so much for watching and for your support 😊

[@kathyscozzari7386]

I found this so helpful and enjoyed your sweet, soothing voice. A lovely way to begin my morning!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

thank you so so much!

[@kathyknit6147]

Thank you Emma, your video was sharp and clear at the close ups. I enjoyed all the information you shared. I just found this video and now I want to try to do english paper piecing. :)

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, it is very much appreciated. I’m so glad you’d like to try English paper piecing, it’s a lovely hobby and I hope you love it too 😊

[@michelesmith2913]

Thank you Emma, I found this most informative, off shopping for needles now :)

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thanks for watching, I’m so glad it was useful 😊

[@merindymorgenson3184]

This is very helpful! I’ve been ordering new needles and had no clue between the different styles of needles. I understand the difference between sizes, but the different types of needles was confusing me. We have the John James brand here in town, but no clover or tulip or Bohin or other brands I prefer.

[@jenniferayim889]

Thank you for the informative sharing .. actually I confuse with needles now with your sharing giving me confident selecting my needles .. loving it so much 😘😘

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

I’m so glad this was useful for you! Thanks for watching 😊

[@marianrooth9514]

Thank you Emma. I have lots of needles. It’s keeping them identified that I need help. hand. Machine. Etc

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Have you made a hexagon needle book? It’s one of my free patterns and there’s a full video tutorial on here too. You could make a few and designate each one for a particular type of needle, that would be super organisation 😊🌸

[@gracepatane9384]

Thank You, Emma!

[@loraineleuschke4186]

Thank you! Very helpful! I have some serious nerve problems in my wrists, hands and fingers. I always use what feels right in my fingers. Tyfs!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Really good to hear you enjoyed the video, thank you for watching. It’s definitely important to do what feels right isn’t it

[@sandramyer7081]

Very helpful, Emma - thank you - all the differences make hand sewing much easier- i'm gonna listen again and dont I confuse the various needles with types of threads

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad it was useful Sandra, thank you for watching

[@barbarawaskom8417]

This was very useful information to me , Thank you .. 😊

[@irismoles9369]

Thankyou Emma

[@oxnyxws]

Thank you very clear and simple comparison of all the needle thank you!

[@sandrahackney3219]

Just found your channel today. I subscribed right away. I am getting interested in sewing again and your channel will help me get started. Thank you for sharing.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Hi Sandra, thanks so much for subscribing, I really hope you enjoy the videos and that they help you on your journey back into sewing 😊

[@beverleyhasler1521]

Thanks Emma. Great lot of helpful information re needles. 🥰

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Thanks for sharing that information Emma

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Kelly

[@telalong5254]

yippee skippee so happy i stumbled upon your channel.....fabulous. thank you thank you thank you. be well and safe

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Ahh thanks so much Tela! This comment really made me smile. Take care and thanks so much for watching 😊🌸

[@christenaeriksen]

Thank you for sharing this video. It was very helpful!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you for watching, I’m glad you liked it Christena

[@quiltingforthesoul]

Thank you I needed to know. God bless you and your family

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

I’m so glad it was useful, take care

[@MistyisCrafty]

Really good info. I love how sharp the black gold needles are, but find the serrated point particularly painful if I accidentally poke myself (much more painful than a regular needle stick). I also prefer milliners needles. I've only used Hemmings brand thus far, but enjoy them a lot.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad you thought the info was good. They are definitely very sharp! Thanks for watching

[@didifriesen2147]

Hi Emma, I am from a small city in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, Canada. I watched this video regarding needles and was wondering what the needles are that have the colour circle close to the tip. Thank you for all your wonderful videos, very enjoyable.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

They are called your certain stitch needles and they are made by Pony

[@denisepettit8534]

Thank you for the wonderful information so very helpful. Have you or are you going to do a video on the hand stretches you do and anything else that helps with prevention of hand discomfort?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

thank you Denise, I haven't planned one yet but will keep it in mind. I 'm not a doctor or expert on this sort of thing so need to be careful about what advice I give out

[@claudettemonty4077]

Thanks Emma I had my answers about needles! Very informative!

[@Diniecita]

Thanks for this! Excellent video.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

aww thank you! That means a lot

[@nancyfischer9931]

Excellent, thank you. Can’t wait for the thread information!!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad you think so, thanks so much Nancy 😊

[@sharyonalexander5493]

I love watching you. You inspire me!!!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you so much! That’s so kind of you

[@gladysnold7188]

Wonderful information about needles. Your channel is wonderful. I really enjoy it. I have a question about single French knots. Mine don’t always stay tight and when I knit them on the back it just looks untidy. Do you have a way that you do French knots that stay tight and how do you tie them off?thank you very much.

[@petermatten3315]

I always go for a needle with an eye no wider than the needle itself, so the thread will slip off of the needle easily.

[@yvettealba7431]

Great job Emma🥰

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Yvette 😊

[@Terry_Mae]

Very helpful information. I am new to EPP and was just exploring which needles to use for the stitching and embroidery work to embellish my hexi pieces. Thank you so very much! I'm looking forward to your video on the types of thread.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad it was useful, thank you so much Terry 😊

[@elizabethvallely4044]

Awesome video great informations thank you for sharing!!! Liz x

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

So glad you liked it Liz 😊

[@elizabethvallely4044]

@@emmajonesvintagesewingbox Yes I really did, thank you x

[@julieedwards6937]

This was really helpful, I love your videos,thankyou 🧵

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Julie, I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊

[@hattiedraper1061]

Do hand sewing needles ‘wear out’ like machine needles do? I use my sewing machine regularly and routinely change my needle every month or so and sometimes more frequently if I’ve been using particularly thick fabric or layers. I’m new to hand sewing - the packs often have many needles in, so presumably similar rules apply? When or how often do you discard needles and change for a fresh one?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Excellent question! Yes they have a tendency to bend with a lot of use and can become blunter. I don’t find I have to change mine anywhere near as often as I change machine needles though, for me, they seem to last a really long time before needing to be thrown away. I’ve heard of hand sewing needles snapping for some people but it’s never happened to me. Thanks for watching 😊

[@hattiedraper1061]

Emma Jones Vintage Sewing Box. Thanks Emma; that’s helpful.

[@veemcg3682]

Thank you for another very useful video Emma. I have a lot of different needles as like you I like to do many different hand sewing projects. I wonder if the gold plated ones are any easier to use than ordinary ones? I have small hands and find I can manage short, fine needles more easily. The only needles I haven't tried are milliners or straws so I'll get some of those to see how I can manage those. I have severe arthritis and my hands hurt a lot these days so if you have any advice about hand care I'd be very grateful. God bless from Northern Ireland.v

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Hi Vera, I think the plated ones are supposed to be easier to use and I particularly find the black gold ones good. I have small hands too and I think I am developing arthritis too actually (haven't seen a doctor yet due to pandemic). I find working with smaller shapes and using longer needles hurts me less, bigger shapes cause me to grip too tightly for some reason and this causes strain for me. I take lots of breaks to stretch my fingers between sewing and I use lots of hand cream to massage my hands and keep the skin soft, that all seems to help a bit. Other than that I don't have any good advice about hand care but if I do discover anything I will of course share it with everyone. Thank you for watching

[@tenawolfe6863]

Emma, got my order and will be ordering again soon. But I noticed you have a cottage/house pin cushion. Is there going to be a pattern?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Sorry for my late reply, I’m so glad your order came, thank you so much for supporting my shop. Yes, there will definitely be a house pin cushion pattern next year, In fact, lots of house themed items! I didn’t make the one in this video, my friend did from my little house free template. But I have a design in the works too 😊

[@annduvall3835]

Love yr videos

[@mrsmiggins6435]

Very interesting😁

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Angela 😊

[@carolinamondello1238]

Thanks Emma for a wonderful video! A have a question which I have yet to find an answer to but with the Black & Gold needles, what is the difference between the Quilting and the Quilting Between needles? Without having the packets in front of me, they look identical!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Hi Carolina, yes they are pretty much identical. There is a slight difference in the length between the sizes but it is a really small difference. thanks for watching

[@carmenirizarry7632]

Interesting!

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Carmen, so glad you think so 😊

[@janhulse9518]

I am new to all this sewing and I have sewn pieces of fabic to a foundation piece of calico and I have written a name on it to lrarn how to embroider around the name. I am using a crewel needle and I cut a piece of thread and I am having all sorts of trouble.the needle seems blunt and getd stuck and hard to pull through and the stem stitch is not gliding to its finish very well.I have to tug it .what am I doing wrong. the thread does not look like the type that we unstrand,more like the size of perle thread. had no trouble a few months ago doing around a flower.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Maybe try a sharper needle? Perle cotton is quite thick so it might be an idea to use something thinner instead? Good luck, I hope you can sort it out

[@janhulse9518]

@@emmajonesvintagesewingbox I guess it is hard to help via internet. no further ahead than I was prior to this answer.

[@barefacedquestions]

What types of needles would you recommend for sewing (not embroidering) tightly woven fabric?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

sharps needles would be best for that

[@barefacedquestions]

@@emmajonesvintagesewingbox Thank you!

[@panda5122]

I'm confused. Does the size indicate length or just thickness? Can you have the same needle size in different lengths?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

No, the number indicates the size of the needle and that has a particular length and thickness. You can’t get the same size in different lengths as far as I know

[@panda5122]

That's so frustrating as a new sewist! The packaging will tell you the length in inches/cm but doesn't always give the thickness or size. I have no frame of reference and wouldn't be able to learn what sizes I like or what sizes are missing from my tool kit.

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

@@panda5122 I totally understand. The only way I’ve learnt what I like to use is by trying different types and sizes. The Clover brand needles have the thickness on the package so that might be a good place to start 😊

[@BlkKeyCptl]

Im working on a sweatshirt (French Terry Cotton). Do you know which needle?

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

No sorry

[@BlkKeyCptl]

@@emmajonesvintagesewingboxThanks

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Thanks for sharing that information Emma

[@emmajonesvintagesewingbox]

Thank you Kelly 😊