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Needles for embroidery- Complete Guide

by Stella Alex, Last Modified: May 12, 2022

Needles-for-embroidery-Complete-Guide

Embroidery is designed perfectly only when the embroidery needles used in it is perfect for that type of fabric and thread used in that process. So, choosing the right needle for your embroidery is crucial whether you are performing hand or machine embroidery. There are so many needles on the market now that make it easy for you to select the perfect one. If you want sewing to be a pleasure rather than a chore, you need to use the correct needle for this job by doing sharp needles vs dull needles exercise . Different types of cloth and thread thicknesses may require different types of embroidery needles and needle sizes. One thing to remember about embroidery needle guide is that their number indicates their size, with the higher the number, the better the needle. In a nutshell, the most used hand and machine embroidery needles are listed below:

Needles Used For Hand Embroidery

1.    Tapestry needles

Tapestry vs emroidery- tapestry are used for cross stitch and counted thread embroidery with a blunt point and a large eye. They are numbered 13 to 28, when campare tapestry needle size, 28 is the best embroidery needles size. These can be used for whipped stitches, in which the needle travels under the thread rather than through it. These are suited for use with Aida or Bianca cloth for children.

2.    Milliner needles

Milliner needles are the most preferred needles types names method of embroidering and are widely used in the millinery industry. They have a shaft with the same thickness as their eye and are exceptionally long and slender in their shape. The Biggest size for thread needle are great for embellished stitches like Bullion and French knots, which require wrapping the thread around the needle numerous times. French needle size come in sizes 1 to 10, while the number 5 needle is the most popular and frequently used for embroidery.

3.    Beading needles

Bent needle vs straight needle- Beading needles are the thinnest of all needles that make them to pick up and pass through even the tiniest beads. Beading needle size 8 length are pretty long, readily flex out of shape, are extraordinarily pointy, and have very small eyes. Needle head styles are composed of the most delicate steel wire and are available in sizes ranging from 10 to 15.

4.    Chenille needles

Joanne chenille needles are similar to tapestry needles but feature a sharp point instead of a blunt one. They are available in tapestry needle sizes 13-28, choose kind embroidary but they are commonly used for crewel work since they have a gentle and smooth eye that works perfectly with the wool thread. Metallic threads and ribbon embroidery also work well with this needle head styles.

Why Needle Size Matters

The needle size and type are essential for performing the perfect embroidery designs on your fabrics. After you’ve decided on your embroidered fabric, you’ll need to decide on the ideal embroidery needle size and type. The size of the embroidery needle with x on thread and the size of the hole that the needle makes when stitching is determined by the way the fabric is woven. If you can’t select the appropriate size like buy size 5 embroidery needles   for the selected embroidery design, it will be a loss of your time and effort. To keep yourself safe from all kinds of disasters, you must select the right-sized embroidery needle that is required by your project type.

Top 5 different types of embroidery needles

Embroidery needles, name for needle also known as crewel needles, come in medium length common local size needle with a sharp point and narrow eye. They come in a range of numbers from 1 to 12. How to pick needle size, let me tell you the 6-8 numbers are being the most popular among them. You can perform needles and pins stitchery, various embroideries like surface embroidery, crewel work, white work, goldwork, etc. The embroidery crewel needle comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, as well as different sorts. Each type serves a specific purpose and has a different specialty. You have to pick the one which most suits your project. The most commonly used embroidery needle types are listed below:

1.    Universal needles

A slightly rounded point distinguishes universal embroidery needles from the other ones. The universal needles are suitable no matter how thin embroidery is for both woven and flexible knit textiles. Most generic embroidery machines work with universal needles. 

2.    Sharp needles

Sharp needles vs dull needles examples-Sharp embroidery needles have the sharpest point and are capable of penetrating through the dense, woven fabrics. Water-soluble topping projects may require the use of a sharp needle to penetrate well. So get these needles as per your project and  choose kind embroidary as per your needs and requirements.

3.    Ballpoint needles 

Ballpoint Embroidery needles are types of needles that have a rounded point that pushes them away rather than penetrating and tearing the knit textiles. You could be better off using a sewing needle if sharp and ballpoint embroidery needles are hard to come by or take technical advice needles and thread choice.

  4.Coatings Needles

In needle head styles Coated needles pierce dense textiles more effectively and last up to five times longer than uncoated needles. This is because they keep their point shape for more extended periods of time and heat up less from high-speed stitching friction. They can be used with any type of fabric, although they are more expensive than plain needles.

5.    Titanium or Gold Needles

In embroidery needle guide Titanium or gold-coated needles are especially useful for adhesive stabilizers, which can be difficult to penetrate without forming a sticky buildup with universal needles. Because of its superior abrasion resistance, a titanium-coated needle can last up to six times longer than a regular nickel-plated needle.

Embroidery needle sizes

Two separate systems are used to measure embroidery needle sizes: the American and European systems. The biggest size for thread needle in the American system range from 8 to 19, while those in the European system go from 60 to 120. In most cases, the sewing needle sizes in inches are stated in both measurement systems. To make the embroidery design look great, the actual art is to choose the proper stitch type and instructions used for that type of project.


How to pick needle size

Choosing the correct needle size like French needle size, cross stitch needle size or biggest size for thread needle can be challenging at times. Here’s a quick guide to determining the appropriate embroidery needle size for your projects.

  • Needle sizes range from tiny to biggest size for thread needle, depending on the type of fabric you will be sewing with, the number of stitches you will be running, and the thread weight you will be using. Organ needles come in five different sizes: 65/9, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, and 90/14. The European size is on the left, while the American size is on the right. For example, the European number will indicate the blade’s size. 65, which denotes a diameter of.65mm. 
  • Because the needles are delicate, the 65/9 embroidery needle size is often used for silk and is a very lightweight material and depends upon how thin embroidery design is. When working with lower-weight materials, you don’t want large holes punched into your cloth. They’re also perfect for little letters (14 inches or less) when using 60-weight embroidery thread.
  • The 70/10 needle size will be the best for lighter-weight clothes as per technical advice needles and thread. The universal needle size 75/11 is the most widely used by the people. In the embroidery business, this will be your go-to needle because of its needle head styles. These common local size needles work well with cotton, polyester, bags, and the majority of clothing you will sew. In short, it is a perfect needle size for your embroidery work.
  • Heavy cloth, stiff Richardson caps, light leather, and quilting all these require using the 80/12 needle size. They are thicker, stronger, and long-lasting.
  • The ideal needle size is 90/14, which will be used as leather needles and pins stitchery ,various materials, heavy canvas, belts, etc. Make sure your hook timing is set correctly while using such a huge needle. This may have an impact on how your system functions normally.
  •   You can also choose kind embroidary from a variety of embroidery needle materials, such as chromium or titanium. Chrome needles are the most ubiquitous and cost-effective, although titanium needles are better for demanding applications. They are more durable than chrome.
  • Other needles focus on the shape of the actual needle tips: needle head styles , such as ballpoint and sharp needles. Most occupations require the use of a sharp needle. Ballpoints should only be used while running knit beanies, fleece, lace, or woven materials. The reason for this is so that you don’t cut your fabric with a sharp needle, which would tear your material and can’t hold an embroidery thread on the fabric.

Few Important Tips On Embroidery Needles

1.     Before purchasing a needle, check needles types names, your user manual to see if the shank will fit your machine.

2.     For precise stitching, change the needle periodically.

3.     If you need to replace types of needles temporarily, return it to its original case or a suitable needle storage space.

4.     Change the needle if it starts bending.

5.     Always look at the fabric and then decide which needle type and size will go perfectly with it.

6.     The diameter of the sewing needle sizes in inches you select should always be similar in width to the thread you will be using. For example, if the embroider needle crochet design is too narrow, the thread will not pass easily through the needlework fabric, which damages the thread. This is often the cause of the fraying of the thread.

7.     Remove the needle from your project when you are not stitching to prevent unsightly holes that can stretch your fabric or even rust over time. Store your needles in DMC’s Magnetic Needle Case to protect them and keep them securely in one place.

Conclusion

The different types of embroidery needles and size influence the embroidery artwork. It is nearly impossible to create the designs and patterns we see on cloth and other materials without considering how thin embroidery needle is. The artwork includes flags, logos, decorating items, badges, and much more. We hope that now you have a better understanding of machine embroidery needles and how to pick needle size and type that will create the best results for your project. If you’re new to embroidery and feel overwhelmed, keep practicing sharp needles vs dull needles exercise, and you will soon design embroidery like a pro. Don’t hesitate to contact us by posting a comment if you have any issues with needle sizing. We will be pleased to assist you in solving your problem.


FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

The most popular sizes used to embroider are sizes 7 and 9. Because of their large eye, these needles are suitable for embroidery. They are ideal for people who have difficulty seeing the eye of a needle.

The size number of the embroidery needle corresponds to the size of the eye and the thickness of the needle. The higher the number, the smaller the eye and thinner the needle.

Different fabrics and types of embroidery require different needles, and these needles come in a range of sizes. Choose the needle that best suits your project. The size of the needle you select depends on the fiber count of the fabric you are stitching on and the thickness of the thread you are using.

 No, Embroidery needles can have different shank shapes. The shank is the top of the needle ,needle head styles that gets inserted into the embroidery machine. If the shank of the needle is not designed for your embroidery machine, it’s like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole. Using an incompatible needle can cause problems like tip breakage, skipped stitches, and poor tension.

These needles have a thick, strong shaft and a very sharp point. They are used for stitching denim, canvas, duck, and other heavy, tightly woven fabrics. They are also ideal for stitching through multiple fabric layers without breaking.


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About Stella Alex

Hello and Welcome to my Website! My name is Stella, and I have been an embroidery enthusiast for over 6 years. My interest in embroidery machines came in my teenage from my mother. I hope my efforts will help you a lot to get the best one. Thank You!

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