Tuesday, November 17, 2015

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.

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