All About Hand Sewing Needles

Selecting a suitable needle can make the difference between an easy job well done and a hard one that lacks finesse. The needle chosen should be compatible with the thread you wish to use. Hand sewing needles are classified by type and size, each designed for a specific use. Choose the type of needle according to the job it will be doing, and the size of the needle according to the thread it will be pulling through the fabric. The finer the fabric, the sharper and more slender the needle should be.

Melody's TIP: The smaller the size number, the longer and thicker the needle.

There are many types of needles to choose from;

·        Betweens or quilting needles are very short, round-eyed needles. Use them to make fine, short, sturdy stitches.

·        Sharps are all-purpose medium length needles with small rounded eyes used for applique and general sewing.

·        Straw and milliner needles are long and slender with small, rounded eyes. These slender needles are used for applique.

·        Chenille needles are short, thick needles with long, oval eyes and sharp points. The longer eye allows multiple strands of embroidery floss, pearl cotton & silk ribbon to be threaded easily. For silk ribbon embroidery these needles are used to make stitches that pierce the fabric.

·        Tapestry needles are short and thick with large eyes and blunt points. The long oval eye carries silk ribbon and other bulkier threads easily. These blunt needles are often used for wrapped stitches seen in silk ribbon embroidery.

·        Embroidery needles are medium length with long oval eyes. They have two advantages; a long eye for easy threading and a very sharp point that will pierce close-woven fabrics.

·        Beading needles are extremely long and fine with a small round eye; generally used for beading due to their flexibility.

TYPE	NEEDLE SIZE	THREADS	SUGGESTED USES
Betweens	10	hand quilting	quilting
	9	cotton sewing size 50 (standard)	general sewing
(large eye)	8	#8 pearl cotton	quilting
	10	size B or D nymo	beading
Sharps	11	cotton sewing size 30 (machine embroidery)	applique
	11	cotton sewing size 50 (standard)	general sewing
Straw	10	cotton sewing size 30 (machine embroidery)	applique
Chenille	24	six strands of floss	embroidery or tying
and Tapestry	22	4 mm silk ribbon	silk ribbon embroidery
	20	#3 pearl cotton	embroidery or tying
	18	7 mm silk ribbon	silk ribbon embroidery
Embroidery	9	two strands of floss	embroidery
	8	#8 pearl cotton	embroidery
	6	#5 pearl cotton	embroidery
Beading	16	size B nymo	beading

Threading that small eye can be frustrating. Here are some helpful pointers:

·        Wet the eye of the needle not the thread.

·        The eye of the needle is made by a stamping process that leaves the opening on one side of the eye larger that the other side. Thread from the ‘larger’ side.

·        Thread a supply of needles in the morning while your eyes are fresh.

·        Have someone else thread a supply of needles for you.

·        When all else fails buy a good needle threader.