Sewing Machine Needles Demystified?

[@Petestleger]

My understanding regarding needle types was that with woven fabric it doesn't matter structurally if you sever an individual thread, because all the other threads are functionally independant. But, with knitted fabric, which relys on one not two threads, severing that thread can be bad. So, 'needles for stretch (knitted) fabrics are designed to part the threads rather than maybe cut them. Makes sense to me, but you may be better asking Bobbin.... 😼

[@DK-wx8bq]

Always thought it was ok that a pointed needle penetrated a fabric’s yarn/thread; had never considered that it could the cut the yarn/thread. Interesting. A common language and agreed upon definitions of terms is the key to any discussion 😊 Thanks for broaching this (interesting and helpful) topic.

[@jharbo1]

I love the term, "seamster." I have always hated the term "seamstress" because it literally means someone who sews straight seams in a linen factory. I actually am a ladies dressmaker and tailor, but since I am retired, I am really only a retired person, lol. Thank you so much for taking the time to demystify the whole machine needle enigma. Honestly, when I started out sewing, there was no information at all about needles except the limited info from the Singer handbook that came with one's machine. You explained everything thoroughly and clearly: get the appropriate thread for the fabric, then get the needle for the thread. So easy to remember for anyone at any level.

[@PandaKnight52]

You're a dressmaker and tailor by trade, just retired.

[@Ginto8]

I think the key thing with ballpoint needles is that they are for knits in particular (ie fabric that has "mechanical stretch"), not for woven fabrics with elastic fibers. In a knit, it's much easier to unravel due to the lower friction between fibers, so cutting through a fiber is much worse. I don't have any specific sourcing, but if you're on the hunt, a very early mention of the word "ballpoint needle" in google n-grams is an ad for a "culver kit" for mending knits in a 1953 edition of "Modern Handicraft"

[@glenhatchell5635]

This is the video I've been waiting for. I wake up in the middle of the night and see my Mom's 1945 sewing machine (White Machine Co. with a Kenmore badge) sitting there, the moon reflecting off of the varnished wood surface. Every needle inside the cabinet is pointing at me screaming USE ME and I wake up in a sweat, scared that I will choose the wrong one. I will sleep better tonight. But seriously, this did answer a lot of questions for this novice.

[@thejasonofalltrades]

LOL thanks Glen!

[@davidquirk8097]

Thanks for the info Jason. I'll have a dig into the websites you recommended.

[@dannyl2598]

Thanks, I ended up with some needles that were in a used machine, they had some kind of coating that I could only guess was to reduce friction. I tried one on some heavy fabric and it quickly melted the coating off. I still don't know any more about them. The coating was kind of an army green. That's the only time that I have ever seen coated needles.

[@OliverT-e6e]

Great explanations! I appreciate all the effort, you have clarified much for me. I have been sewing for many years and didn’t know many of the more technical aspects. This should help to understand and remedy when I have problems!,

[@crazygeorgelincoln]

Was having issues with delicate work on 4way stretch fabric. Getting a ball or stretch (they look the same with my eyesight) I call it a mildly blunt needle made some improvement. What made a lot of improvement is buying better quality thread,(German extra fine,again looks the same width) the feel of it is smoother ,more consistent and less fluffy. Those cheap multi packs of massive reels or loads of colours ,are savings lost against wasted material and time. The stretch ball needle is now my universal, works ok on fake leather. Was attempting to make a chrome leather gearshift gator to see if I liked the idea.

[@bushratbeachbum]

Great video. Super helpful and very clear. Much appreciated, cheers!!!

[@bushratbeachbum]

Could you do one on thread selection? When i first started sewing i was given a giant bobbin of 207 thread and wanted to use it for everything i did because i thought it was strong and it said it had good uv and abrasion resistance. What a learning experience!!! Hahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Thanks again!

[@GLF-Video]

Thanks for sharing!

[@colemine7008]

I discovered the different needle system on my knock off sailrite. I was working on sewing up an apron made with waxed canvas(duck cloth?) two days ago and broke a needle. I reached for my supply of needles. I picked one out I thought to be appropriate for what I was doing. It would not fit. The diameter of the shaft was too large. I found that I had a full supply of needles that came with my machine and used it and continued on. I really hadn't given it a thought that they would be different until two days ago. Now you have given me the correct search term for the needles. I had assumed I could just go to sailrite and buy needles from them when I really needed to. Missed the point I wanted to take.. at least.. in the direction I went.. if you try to put the wrong system needle in it will not fit. Domestic needles will not fit in the sailrite type machine. I had not ever attempted by accident to put the "home industrial/sailrite type" needle in my domestic machine. So the results of that remain unknown to me at this time.

[@einars899]

The diameter of the mounting end may be different. But it may also have the wrong lenth. That will not be as obvious to you. It may not go down far enough for the hook to catch the loop Or if it is too long, it may even hit some part of the hook / bobbin basket and break something. So just check it is the right system for your machine. If the machine was bought used, it may also be that the previous user modified the machine to use another needle type. I have one where that was done. Luckily they put a label on it telling what needle type should be used in the machine. Otherwise I would probably still be swearing at it.

[@AlbernW.]

Sorry i forgot to say something about some things you mentioned in the Video. In most cases i agree with you , you can do a lot of work with universal needles , even sewing leather and so on (although spezial leather needles have a extreme different Shape). But when it comes to knitted fabrics you realy have to be careful . Not just because of skipped stiches, Normal sharp pointet needles can realy demage knittedfabric. If you sew fabrics made of synthetic fibre you can get away with using universal needles but fine fabrics made of natural fibre like cotton is realy vulnerable and beside punching holes in the fabric (the needle cuts the yarn) you might get a "run" of the cut yarn in the fabric. (I hope it is the right word and you understand what i mean. A "run" is no good thing in this context ;) I would really recommend you to ask Schmetz for the book i mentioned before. It dont want to make advertisement for Schetz but their book is really good and it is a genrous company and of corse they make also good needles too - like many other companys. But when you go buy spezial needles for knitted fabrics i would choose the superstretch because it costs the same as the roundhead needles , the tip\top is almost the same but it works really very good in terms of skipped stiches. I have a few practical experiences about that ...

[@walteraddie7925]

Needle systems are a nightmare as no manufacturer wishes to publish dimensions for a specific needle. Having numerous antique domestic machines as well as industrials this becomes very problematic. This subject could almost become a college class!

[@soulbot119]

Holy shit I haven't clicked on a Jason of All Trades video in forever... your beard almost looks like a disguise at this point lol. Like the feds knock on your door and they're like "we're looking for Jason, we were told he's hiding out here" and you're like "no, sonny, just this old man you see before you. but if I see him I'll tell him you stopped by"

[@thejasonofalltrades]

LOL thanks for saying I look old 😂 Glad you clicked on another video, welcome back!

[@sphinxios]

i use titanium coated universal needles of size 75 for most of sewing i sew mostly non-stretch even up to jeans material without issues and use those for quite some time, trust me i broke a lot of needels when i started sewing, i let the machine do the work and help it on the way and go slower going thruu the tick parts