TIPS FOR SEWING NEEDLE TYPES: Vintage Sewing Machine Needles, An Overview of Selection Options

[@ca6177]

Again, another good learning video! I was so glad I’ve actually bought Organ brand sewing machine needles before watching this video!👍

[@barbaramatthews4735]

I've been sewing for a long time but never took much time thinking about different needles. I'm getting more interested as I want to know more.

[@Linda-di2es]

I have been quilting on my vintage Kenmore so I change the needle frequently. Amazon sells organ needles and they are very cheap. I have been watching all of your videos regarding Kenmore and I find them fascinating. You have a wealth of knowledge on most vintage machines and that’s very helpful to everyone, be they new at sewing or experienced. I think you’re very interesting.

[@ElectronicMarine]

the problem you hda with schmets needles on certain singer machines and then with the singer ones whent well is mostly due the crazy needles they have donne for the 306 series 206x13 needles.... in a while there where alot of needles cheap around the market, since the machines where really expensive (the 306 zigzag) so singer technicians modiffyed slightly the timing of the machines and needle height to work with the 206x13 needles... it has the eye height almost equal with the 15x1 needles only that they are a bit shorter... like 2 mm shorter... the reason i know that is because i was looking for sewing machine for heavy fabrics marine sumbrella, vinyl egg and an old guy 85years old 60 fixing sewing machines show me in his collection the 306 machine, show me how to dismantle it and clean it and how to do the timing for a 15x1 needle...

[@JaqueBampi]

Love your videos! I bought a 1929 sewing machine (model 127), and all I have been watching is your channel. I will start cleaning it this week, and will for sure avoid damaging it due to your amazing tips! Thank you!

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

So great to hear when others show interest in bring back these machines. I always find that if I'm patient, I'm a lot less likely to foul things up.

[@ca6177]

I agree, I’ve been so frustrated when sewing because “new” sewing machines just don’t live up to expectations! I’m on a determined hunt to find a restored vintage machine! Wish me luck, but with this channel I feel I can go forward with some confidence to find the machine I dearly want!

[@annwaters9484]

Informative on a frequently ignored issue! Thank you!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

LOL! Everybody watching this channel is already in the nerd zone, no worries about scaring us off.

[@nonyabidness1623]

Older, but never out of date! Thank You so much for the information on needles, very helpful, Oh and I love the early old sewing machine tools, parts needles, machines, I have been learning how to clean oil, fix them, though sometimes parts aren't readily available, I need a museum, or like minded collector to one day leave these to! God Bless You always,. Appreciate your time and insight, expertise! lis

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You are so welcome!

[@jenniewren9351]

I keep a note by the machine of when I last cleaned, oiled, and changed the needle of my machine, adding the size of the needle. My memory is shot! I picked up a 1939 99k Singer (hand crank) that was going to be binned. The paintwork and exterior is lovely, but it's seized up a bit inside. I only started sewing a couple of years ago and so restoring this machine will be a very steep learning curve. Thanks for the videos.

[@crowznest438]

Update?

[@jenniewren9351]

jeanne griffin so I oiled the machine and serviced it as per the videos and ........ it stayed seized up. It was such a beautiful machine I couldn't get rid of it so it stayed on a table, near a heater, in my sewing room with the original wooden cover. A friend came several months later and I showed her the machine and lo and behold it worked! I haven't tried sewing with it yet as we've been decorating etc since lockdown.

[@crowznest438]

@@jenniewren9351 That's a wonderful story!!! What fun that must have been - I guess it just took time for the oil to work into those frozen areas. I will look forward to the conclusion, should you care to share..

[@amos616]

@@jenniewren9351 I’m betting the heat from the heater worked with the new oil you put on it to loosen the old congealed oil to loosen it up. Lots of times over a series of days, I’ll apply oil and then take a hair dryer to help it work itself in and keep alternating them as needed!

[@patriciajrs46]

​@@amos616That's really cool.

[@patriciajrs46]

I just watched another Vintage Sewing channel, Evelynn Wood. She's very knowlegeable. Thank you, too, as guys often prefer to listen to men who sew. Tok Customs; Corneilius Quiring, to name a couple.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

As for myself, I will listen to any sewer that I can learn from regardless of gender.

[@nathalieslachmuylders]

I am in the process of fully cleaning a European Willcox&Gibbs and am enjoying the content of your channel as I am going through all of it. I wanted to add that my preliminary search shows that it is currently difficult to find needles that fit onto this machine, since it is a chainstitch topthread-only type. Needles that fit these machines are not reproduced anymore. I did find some : ) though. In my parents' garage, my grandmother's grandmother's treadle (machine dates from 1900-1910) is waiting for me: I look forward to cleaning and restoring it (and sewing with it after 50 years non-use) and have really benefited from your videos tx! The name on the cast iron feet is not a brand. I enquired about it in Belgium's museum of industry and was told that those unknown names are often from local carpenters who made the cabinets. They bought the machinery from Singer (or Pfaff), without the Singer brand name and that is how it was sold. Don't know if similar things happened in the US? Regards

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Interesting. I did not know that Wilcox&Gibbs were sold outside of N. America.

[@YouTuber_Sue]

Super interesting, thank you SO much for this info!

[@mrsweirdfantastictoys3361]

Thanks for sharing this

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

You bet!

[@eldersandim3008]

Interesting. Excellent explain,

[@franwald8318]

I just found you and I think your great! Easy to understand, thanks

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Awesome, thank you!

[@marcosmeza1678]

Great video, awesome information. Thank you !

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@elizabethclaiborne6461]

Ball point needles AND ball point pins in knits, with a stretch stitch on a later machine. Older machines won’t give you the knits performance, my go to is a 1985 White Jeans machine, a knit wear champ!

[@avelsgard78]

Loving your new informationals! Also..I have found the same thing with certain Singers wanting only Singer needles. I have one that will not take even the new Singer needles. Only the ones before around the 80's. My 66 treadle takes anything but the humble 328k gives me bird's nests if I try anything other than the vintage Singer needles. WEIRD! Thank you so much for all the work you've done....it's definitely appreciated!

[@strayblackcatsmeow]

The slant-o-matics have some seriously tight tolerances so it should be expected that the needles had to be that way too. I doubt the new needles meet those tolerances but with modern machining, most probably suffice.

[@lindamorgan2678]

Thanks this was excellent .. as all your videos. I saw that chart once before in a manual very helpful will try to find it again. I have heard exactly from very experienced sewers just as you said some vintage Singer like Singer needles not the Kenmore I have also heard that Singers are fussy with thread too. Alot of Kenmore seems to be not as tight with their tolerances and more forgiving then the top of the line Singers in the 50's. I know absolutely nothing about thread but you do hear complaints and solutions from the experienced in forums and sometimes it is the thread. I am like you I would keep the vintage needle packages :-) Thanks again wonderful vid

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Some Singers can be a 'bit' more cranky with tension but not all of them. The 400, 500 series, for example, can take a bit of 'dialing in' to set the tension just right. But they are wonderful machines regardless. But yes, it is a bit of a mystery why some Singers are fine with other branded needles but some will not sew well without a Singer brand needle. The 221 Singer Featherweight comes to mind as one of the machines that really shines with Singer needles.

[@lindamorgan2678]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarageThanks so much for your reply and clarifying which models. Love you and your channel.

[@rosegulab1164]

Thank you very much useful information.

[@brandimr23]

I love Organ I use it in my new machines and embroidery machines.

[@jarikinnunen1718]

I bought an unbranded needle set whose first needle eye was directed diagonally and the threader didn't work.

[@presszoolasz767]

I really like your videos, thank you for making them. I have similar experience with Singer needles. All of my machines are happier in case I'm using Singer needles. The sound of the sewing is finer somehow, and I have less skipped stiches on denim. With other brands I could have skipped stiches when the machine goes from thin parts to thick parts on the material. But not with Singer needles.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks for sharing!

[@patriciajrs46]

Interesting.

[@missviolette22]

My technician said to never use modern Singer needles in any of my machines. I have a couple vintage ones, and a Babylock Sophia 2. I had to have the bobbin case replaced because I used a modern Singer needle in it. They do seem to be different, but I'm not sure why.

[@patriciajrs46]

Good to know. Thanks.

[@jojosewist8921]

Although my Kenmore 158.1941.2 and my Singer 237 both use 15 bobbins. The kenmore will only stitch correctly if the 7 hole metal bobbin used. However the Singer makes great stitches with any 15 bobbin inc. plastic. Go figure. Thank goodness they both like any home sewing machine needle.

[@frez777]

excellent

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Thanks!

[@staylor8638]

Hello. Thanks for educating me. I an a fan and have learned so much from you. Recently I purchased a singer sewhandy model d50 :) The original needle size is singer needles size 24x3 ( no longer in production)or sub Organ 24x1 size 11. Can you please explain what is the numbers 1 or 3 means in above mentioned sizes? Is it the size of the needle eye or what? Thanks in advance for your time and help. Sue

[@ronalddaub9740]

I have an old monarch that I just discovered has a needle that is almost a quarter to 1/8 of an inch longer than the regular singer or Kenmore needle

[@AquinoFamily99]

My vintage machine, a Brother Select-o-matic, came with a bent Singer 110/18 needle and it is 1/8 inch longer than any standard needle I have. I don’t know how to find these long needles, or how to adjust it to a shorter needle.

[@stephaniepotts9410]

Interesting about Singer needles. I have had just about every model of vintage Singers except the featherweight. I never used the Singer needles, either new or vintage, because I read in a vintage singer group that they could damage my vintage machines due to the length being longer (If I am remembering correctly). So I have always used Scmetz in my Singer 15, 201, 202 and slant needle machines. Obviously, the treadles had different needles. I have always been afraid to try the Singers. I may look to try Organ needles after this video. I am curious if anyone has tried the Super Nonstick Universal needles or the double eye needles that Schmetz has in the slant needles or the older 15's, 201/202 machines.

[@johnathonkuhn7731]

Is there such thing as a needle that is both Jeans and Topstitch? I see Cordura and I often bend the needles and even more often break a brand new needle. The thing is, for some reason only the topstitch needle is working for my main machine (brother PS500.... I literally JUST bought an1959 Singer 251-12 which is what brought me here! Love the channel!)

[@amandarossouw493]

Thanks I have a finicky Kenmore that will only take size 16 Shmetz needles . I'm definitely going to try the singer needles as well as organ and see how well it does especially on the zig zag stitches.

[@4GrandmaTina.]

I have a Free Westinghouse sewing machine that needs cc1221 needle do you know where I can get them

[@hildatrejo80]

Tha ks for th class

[@vintagemountaineeringandhi6060]

Do the Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles Leather, fit the Singer 28k and/or 27k?

[@mikecollins8241]

That small wooden "box"/ tube you were showing (as a place to store needles) looked like it said something on it about replacing shuttle.. Could it be the container an old shuttle style bobbin came in, repurposed as a needle case? looks like about the right size..

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

That's a great theory Mike. You may be correct given the dimensions for it. Although it was not a "Vibrating Shuttle" type machine it was found with, your guess could be correct since people have often collected notions and parts from various machines over the years and those items are often held onto. I find it useful for storing needles, but it could very well be that it was not used as original needle packaging. Some of the older needles I showed in this video were in old Singer packs made from paper and Cellophane.

[@ca6177]

How do I convert needle size in my vintage white 565 sewing machine owner's manual to today's needle size? For instance, my manual says needle # 4 is used to sew "extremely heavy tarpaulin, sacking, canvas, duck, etc".. I notice that needle # go from 00 - 4. Thanks

[@emelyn_brooks]

I have an old singer machine embroidery book and it has a chart for old and new needle sizes. 000 = 7. 00 = 8. 0 = 9. B = 11. 1/2 = 14. And that is the highest that chart goes. 4 is probably 21, which is about the highest you can go in a domestic machine.

[@patriciajrs46]

​@@emelyn_brooksCould you possibly upload a picture of that page, or please tell her where you purchased that book and the name of it? Thanks.

[@drunkingsailor2359]

Since were discussing needles what will work for a kenmore 120 49 ? I haven't found the 49 needle anywhere.

[@cherylharris2895]

I purchased some schmetz needle but appon taking out 1 needle some fell out and I'm not sure about the colour coding and as you know you need to get the correct size for the selected project

[@joannewicks9104]

I have inherited a treadle it calls for a B eldrege rotary N S needle One was in the machine and is about 1/4 inch longer than our domestic 15 needle. Any idea where I can find and purchase what i think is a 20 x1 needle?

[@jorjableess8411]

What size needle would my treadle The Free made in Rockford IL (it is not No 5) I think it is a model C I don’t have a manual

[@davide5429]

Hi, I was told to buy some HLR schmetz needles to sew thin leather and Velcro, but as you said I later saw that the designation for leather needles is HLL. Do you now the difference between the two? Thank you for all your great videos (my only advice is trying to keep them slightly shorter, but only if it's possible to do without reducing the awesome informative content)

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hello Davide. Each brand of needles uses there own acronyms/description when it comes to "Leather Tip" needle types. If you are ever in doubt, I would ask the seller to confirm that what you are buying is for leather. I had to ask a seller of some needles I got recently what the acronym meant for some serger needles I purchased since they were not marked clearly as ball point or sharp point.

[@davide5429]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage thank you!

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

Hello from the UK. I have a Bradbury Sewing Machine, before SINGER (British). It worked like a dream until the needle broke. I am sure it was a all round shape with no flat edge on the needle. My partner managed to lose the broken needle so I do not have the original. Do you think I can find a Universal needle that will fit this machine? Any support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[@ButterflyLullabyLtd]

I've sadly just been ripped off. I purchased Bradbury Sewing Machine needles. The expert did not tell me that these needles were for Bradbury factory machines. And refused to refund. He tells me after that Bradbury Sewing Machine needles are not all the same. I really love this machine. Any help and support would've greatly appreciated.

[@JudithBrummett]

I am sewing on a 1917 western Electric (converted to a hand crank but motor still working) and the needle is a bit longer. Should I try using a new one or will it hurt the machine? I have been using sand paper to very lightly sharpen the one that came with the machine. Years ago I almost ruined a really expensive machine using Singer needles. It seemed ok at first then all of a sudden my machine would not sew and after paying $400+ to have it repaired it was returned with a sticker on the front that said NO color coded or Singer needles. lol so Im nervous to try anything

[@ronalddaub9740]

I have the same trouble I just found out my monarch treadle takes a longer needle

[@ronalddaub9740]

Did you ever find the longer needle?

[@rndea100]

my vintage singer take a size 19 an size 21 needle were can i find them the 22s fit but are jus a fraction to long ??

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Today, they sell home sewing needles up to size 20. You are not likely to find them at retail but online sellers will have them. I would NOT use 22 size as those are not compatible and will damage the machine.

[@rndea100]

@@VintageSewingMachineGarage i found sum 21s that fit if the 22 an up were a fraction smaller with a flat side im sure they would work

[@maggiewatte2231]

I have an old White rotary embossed machine , series 77. I’ve read that this machine takes a certain type of needle. Is this true? If so , where and what type do I get?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Maggie. The White Rotary Model 77 will accept common home sewing machine needles in sizes up to Size 18. Be sure to follow the manual (if you don't have one, you can find them online and often for free). The manual will guide you in how to position the needle correctly and threading direction. The only thing that I would say is specific to your machine are the Rotary style bobbins and I would also note that the hand wheel rotates away from you when facing the machine unlike most machines where the hand wheel spins in the direction towards you when you sit in front of it. Only the domestic sewing machines made during the 1800's for the most part have proprietary needle types but as the industry consolidated, they developed the 15x1 spec that is still used today. There can always be a few exceptions, but your machine should take the same needle types that most do.

[@maggiewatte2231]

Thank you so much for the reply. I do have the bobbins and manual. The needle thing was stumping me.

[@maggiewatte2231]

I just picked up an old free Westinghouse. The needle the manual said to use is no longer available. Any options on what to do?

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Hi Maggie. If you have the Free Westinghouse ALC model, then it requires CC1221 type needles which are not in production. There is a website that carries some fairly obscure and tough to find items (there inventory is small). I would suggesting trying them but be sure to confirm with them that anything you buy is compatible with your specific model. Yours is similar to some versions of the New Home Rotary machines. The site that I would suggest trying to MAYBE find what you need is: sewingmachine221sale.bizland.com/store/page56.html Scroll down towards the bottom half of the page for needles and you should see some that MAY fit your machine, but again, be sure to double check with the seller. You can also search at Ebay where you might find vintage but new/unused needles that you could try. Good luck in your search and let us know if you find any needles for your machine.

[@maggiewatte2231]

Thank you, on with the search

[@maggiewatte2231]

I found the needle. Only one. Anxious for it to arrive.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

Great news Maggie. They are not cheap, but if you are sewing reasonable weight fabric, I should hope you get good use out of them. I have seen some on Ebay for sale as well. You can google "Free Westinghouse Rotary" needles and also "Domestic Rotary" needles. All the best!

[@MildredGlutz]

I have read that with machines that have obsolete needles, some have resorted to making a shim from adhesive craft magnet material and push it up against the needle stop so that they can use today’s available needles. I don’t know whether it is advisable but I tried it on a Rotary Reversew and so far it’s stitching fine.

[@Iceonfire1878]

Do you know how to cut off a needle for a short needle? My Free Westinghouse takes a needle that is 1 3/8 inches long. I am not able to find them anywhere. There was a video on here years ago on how to cut them off but for the life of me I can't find it...or the needles.

[@VintageSewingMachineGarage]

I have heard of folks doing this to "fabricate" a needle to fit, but I've not done so myself as I've never found or worked on one of the Westinghouse models. Try searching on Google for blogs where others have attempted the idea if videos are not forthcoming.

[@amos616]

I have seen where they clamped them and cut them off from the base end and filed it a bit. Can’t remember the specifics of it though. I feel like it was on a blog post rather than a video