How to Choose a Needle for Machine Sewing

Video Transcript

"Hi. My name is Rebecca. Now I'm going to talk about how to choose a sewing machine needle. Choosing a sewing machine needle is just as important as all the other parts of sewing because with the wrong needle, your machine's not going to be happy and it's going to be very frustrating and difficult in order to achieve the goals that you have. So, sewing machine needles come in a variety of sizes and that depends on the fabric that you're using. A needle like an eight or a 10 is going to be a small needle that you're going to use on more sheer fabrics, flowy fabrics, lightweight fabrics. Because you don't want to destroy the fabric while you're sewing it. The standard needle size is a 12. So if you're showing just a regular cotton weave, a 12 should be just fine. Then, once you get up to things like denim and canvas, or anything that's heavier weight, you're going to want to use a 16 or an 18 so that it can pass through the fabric. Especially when it's double-layered or folded over like on a hem. So for example, this guy isn't terribly thick all on its own, but if I were to fold it over and then fold it over again to make my hem, now it starts to get heavier, and the machine will be much happier with the heavier weight and will be able to sew through it and still make a nice stitch. Another option in sewing machine needles is a double needle. And usually they come in two standard sizes. The weight you usually get to choose, but you get to choose how far apart your needles are. This one is the farther apart version and I have one that is a little bit closer together as well, depending on the effect you would like to have. A standard rule for sewing machine needles is that you change your needle about every project. Needles get dull, and has the same effect as not having chosen the right needle in the first place. So, your machine will be much happier and so will you, if you pick the right needle."