I assure you that you’re not the only one if you’re thinking, “I do not even know what sort of needle lies in my sewing machine, but never mind, I am sure it is a great needle.” I know that many people probably simply continue sewing with the same needle and expect the best results until they run into an issue or, even worse, the needle breaks.
The difference between skipped stitches and a professional-looking seam can be made by using the appropriate sewing machine needle type and size for a particular project.
The variety of needles that are available can be overwhelming. Sewing machine needles come in different thicknesses and sizes, depending on their purpose.
Our Top Picks For The Best Sewing Machine Needles
Best Overall: Universal Sewing Machine Needles (jump to review)
Best for Beginners: Singer 04800 Universal Needles (jump to review)
Best for Embroidery: Embroidery Sewing Machine Needles (jump to review)
Best for Heavy-Duty: SINGER 04801 Universal Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Needles (jump to review)
Best for Denim: Euro-Notions Jeans & Denim Machine Needles (jump to review)
Best for Quilting: Schmetz Quilting Sewing Machine Needles (jump to review)
Best for Knitting: Singer 04809 Titanium Universal Ball Point Machine Needles (jump to review)
Detailed reviews of the Best Sewing Machines Needles
Universal sewing machine needles are the go-to choice for crafters, costume makers, and quilters. These needles' slightly rounded tips are excellent for use on knits and woven fabrics.
Universal needles can easily pierce all kinds of fabrics, so they can be stitched in a clear and precise way.
They usually persist for years and are difficult to break or bend. Since they are universal, they have no problem working with most sewing machines.
- Easy to use
- Inexpensive
- Might not be good for heavy work
When teaching beginners how to use a sewing machine, the teacher depends on needles that work well and are strong. The Singer universal needles are perfect for art centers and sewing classrooms on a tight budget.
They are also inexpensive and enduring. These needles are ideal for medium-weight materials like polyester and cotton because of their gently rounded points.
No skipped stitches, no snagging, and no bunching; these needles also work well on heavier textiles. Most sewing machines can be used with the Singer universal needles with success.
- Beginner friendly
- Great quality
- Finishing touch might not be good
Because these needles have a slightly bigger eye for thicker threads, they are ideal for use in machine embroidery.
They can cut through thick layers of cloth with great precision and do so without bunching or snagging the fabric or breaking or skipping the stitches.
The top part of these needles, called the "shank," has a wider groove, a bigger eye, a rounded side, and a flat side to keep delicate threads from getting damaged by too much friction.
The straight stitches that these needles can sew are crisp and lovely, and preprogrammed designer fancy stitching works pretty well with them. These needles can also be used with the majority of sewing machine brands.
- Great for embroidery projects
- Affordable
- Not good for leather or denim
Heavy-duty sewing needles like the Singer 04801 are excellent for sewing thick materials like canvas, corduroy, vinyl, wool, draperies, and denim.
They are perfect for adding zippers to coats and sewing thick canvas accessories. The majority of leading sewing machines are compatible with the Singer 04801 needles.
Because the tips are so sharp, they can cut through very thick fabrics without bunching, tearing, or getting stuck.
However, they are mostly not recommended for everyday use as they might leave holes in medium- or thin-weight fabrics.
- Good for heavy-duty projects
- Durable
- Not good for light materials
If you are deciding on a singer heavy duty sewing machines, don’t forget to read our popular post ‘best singer heavy duty sewing machines‘.
For sewing medium-weight to heavy-weight fabrics as well as for applique and embroidery, the Euro-Notions 1712 sewing needles are employed.
The point of these needles is extremely sharp, which is a mandatory requirement while working with heavy materials like denim and leather.
These needles have a strong tip that can cut through multiple layers of fabric easily and a larger eye that can fit heavier threads like denim and quilting threads.
Each needle has a durable coating on the outside that offers frictionless sewing and increases their lifespan by almost ten times compared to regular needles.
- Good for leather and denim
- Has good durability
- Not beginner friendly
If you are deciding to sew denim, don’t forget to read our popular post ‘best denim sewing machines’
The Schmetz quilting needles are specifically designed for machine piecing and quilting. These needles feature a flat and rounded side to their upper portion (shank).
The finest option for flawless quilting comes with Schmetz quilting needles. For intersecting seams and thick layers, these needles have a tapered point. Piecing can also be done with these needles.
The Schmetz needles are made to taper to a point that is a little bit rounded. This way, even if they go through very thick layers of fabric, they won't damage the fabric.
To help protect against the extra wadded layers, these quilting needles have been made much stronger. This makes it much less likely that a stitch will skip or the needle will break.
- Excellent for quilting
- Supports many types of sewing
- A bit on the pricier side
If you are deciding on a quilting machine, don’t forget to read our popular post ‘best quilting machines’
For sewing medium- to heavy-weight knit fabrics, the Singer 04809 universal ballpoint needles were created.
They work well with knit textiles because they have a medium ballpoint rounded tip that pushes the fibers apart rather than penetrating the fabric.
These needles can work with most types of knit fabrics. It can also help in avoiding snags and skipped stitches. Typically, they are also identified as overlock or jersey needles.
The Singer 04809 sewing machine needles can be used on Kenmore, Brother, Singer, and most high-end sewing machines.
- Good for knitting
- Long-lasting
- Needles might break with rough use
Buying Guide – Sewing Needles
Lots of people—sadly, even many who sew—believe there are only two types of sewing needles: needles for sewing by hand and needles for sewing on a machine. That is as far from the truth as Earth is from the moon. Whether sewing by hand or machine, you will find that there are sewing needles for every task, type of machine, and type of fabric.
Hand Sewing Needles vs Machine Sewing Needles
Before discussing the differences between hand and machine sewing needles, let’s first take a look at the similarities. (For more detailed reviews of hand sewing needles, visit our post ‘Best Hand Sewing Needles’
Regardless of whether you are using a hand or machine needle, they all have some common ground… starting with the point:
- Ball point – used for knit fabrics. The ball point does not separate the fibers, stretching them out of shape, but rather goes around and between them, retaining the integrity of the fabric.
- Regular or Universal point – ideal for light to heavyweight woven fabrics. Universal point needles go through, not around the fibers within the woven fabric. Needle size is determined by the weight of the fabric to be sewn. (see fabric table for details)
Hand Sewing Needles
Depending upon the task, you will find that hand sewing needles may look alike, but are vastly different. Typically, hand sewing needles all have a sharp point on one end and an eye for the thread to pass through at the other. That, however, is where the similarity ends. Hand sewing needles may all look alike, but they are quite different. Some of these differences are visible to the naked eye. Others, however, may require a magnifying glass or microscope to detect. They are used for quilting, beading, upholstery, embroidery and countless other tasks. The following table describes some of the most popular types of hand sewing needles.
| Needle Type | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Beading | Attaching sequins to fabric; stringing beads for jewelry – necklaces/bracelets/ anklets | Long thin needle with a medium sized eye, somewhat flexible |
| Chenille | Ribbon/yarn/embroidery floss | Long thick needle with an eye large enough to use several strands of embroidery floss or yarn at one time. |
| Darning | Mending holes … usually in wool socks, sweaters and jackets. | Long, average thickness with large. Darning needles sometimes vary in length, but generally all darning needles have the same thickness and large eyes to accommodate yarn when necessary. |
| Self threading | General use – seams, hemming, attaching buttons | Self threading needles vary in length and thickness. The primary difference between these needles and all others is that there is a slit at the eye to allow thread to go into the eye without having to be threaded as with traditional hand needles. |
| Embroidery | Decorative hand embroidery and crewel* stitching. | Average length and thickness with a large eye to accommodate embroidery floss and yarn. |
| Leather | Sewing leather, buckskin and suede. Hand leather needles are used primarily for decorative top stitching and for adding shank buttons to leather, buckskin and suede garments and accessories. | Varying length and thickness; triangular point; small eye. |
| Milliners’ needles | Decorative stitching, pleating and basting | Longer versions of sharp needles (see below) |
| Sharps | General sewing, hemming, etc. | Sharp point, medium length, round eye. |
| Carpet sharps | Working with rugs and carpets | Longer and thicker than regular sharps. |
| Tapestry | Embroidery, needlepoint, decorative stitches on thick or loose weave fabric. | Long needle with a large eye and blunt tip. |
| Upholstery | Tufting; working with thick upholstery fabric; tying off quilts. | Thick curved or straight needles. Curved upholstery needles are used when working with a straight needle is awkward. Straight upholstery needles can be from 3 to 12 inches long. Curved upholstery needles vary in length from 1 ½ to 6 inches. |
* Crewel stitching is a form of hand embroidery that includes decorative knotting to give texture to hand embroidered projects.
Sewing Machine Needles
As a general rule, you should always choose a needle point that makes it easy to pierce the fabric you’re using and a needle size that matches the thickness of the thread you’re using.. The needles used in sewing machines and sergers are different from those used for hand sewing in that the eye and the point are at the same end. The opposite end of the needle is usually flat on at least one side for insertion in the needle bar of the sewing machine. The size and shape of the insertion end depend largely upon the sewing machine manufacturer.
Sewing machine and serger needles are sold under the brand name f the sewing machine manufacturer. When other companies sell sewing machine needles, they often group them by the brand name of the machine. This makes it easier for customers to find needles that work with their machines.
Unlike hand needles, there are fewer types of machine needles. Do not, however, let that fool you. If you use the wrong needle, you will very quickly discover your mistake. If you are sewing several items in a single day, it may be necessary for you to change your needle three or four times in order to get the best possible results for each different sewing project you take on.
When it comes to sewing needles, it should be noted that in addition to standard universal and ball point needles, chromium round or universal point needles are ideal for machine embroidery, serging, and sewing at very high speeds.
Chromium needles are stronger than their regular counterparts, and therefore capable of withstanding the pounding generated by creating up to 2,500 stitches per minute without suffering the stress that could easily break or damage an ordinary needle.
Chromium needles cost a little more, but are well worth the investment when you consider the fact that you will be replacing your needles far less frequently.
What Are the Different Types of Sewing Machine Needles?
- Universal needles: Universal needles are considered the best all-purpose needles. This needle is used for general stitching on most woven and knit materials, despite having a slightly rounded tip that is still very sharp. Use an 80/12 needle size when working with medium- to heavy-weight fabric, a 70/10 size when working with monofilament or nylon thread, and a 60/8 size when working with silk fabric, to name a few.
- Sharp needles: Sharp needles have a sharp point and come with a stronger shaft. It also has a small round threading eye that gives it extra strength while sewing. Sharp needles produce an incredibly straight stitch. Use it to quilt cotton with a high thread count or on extremely fine textiles like chintz. When machine quilting with smaller threads like invisible, lingerie, or bobbin, use a 60/8 needle size. For general piecing and machine quilting, an 80/12 needle size is suitable.
- Quilting needles: A quilting needle has a stronger shaft and a tapered, small point. It is used to sew across crossing seams and through numerous layers of fabric. For detailed designs, use an 80/12 or 70/10 needle size. If your quilting material is thicker, use a 90/14 size.
- Stretch needles: Stretch needles have rounded tips. Due to the way the needle shank is made, it is possible to make a good stitch formation on highly elastic fabrics like spandex. This needle also works well with imitation fur and fleece. Employ a 70/10 or 90/14-size needle.
- Ballpoint needles : In comparison to universal needles, a ballpoint needle has a somewhat more rounded tip. They are ideal for working with double knit, fleece, cotton knits, interlock, and rib knits.
| Needle Type | Use | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Denim/Jeans | Sewing Denim, twill and lightweight canvas | Sharp point, larger than most other types of machine sewing needles |
| Twin | Used for topstitching, decorative effects including certain types of pintucks | Two needles mounted on one bar. Twin needles can be used on most sewing machines. Read your owners’ manual before investing in a twin needle to make sure your machine is compatible with the needle you are interested in. |
| Wing | Used in heirloom sewing. The wings that extend the entire length of the needle leave a tiny hole at each stitch. Best if used with natural woven fibers – cotton or linen. | Wings extend from the point up the shaft, tapering toward the needle clasp. |
| Leather | Used for sewing leather, suede and buckskin. | Slight triangle at the point makes it easier to pierce the material. |
Choose the Right Needle for the Job
Up to this point, we have discussed many different types of needles and the fabric types these needles are best suited for.
However, we have given very little attention to, different fabric weights or sewing needle sizes. When shopping for needles, you will notice little numbers on the package. These numbers indicate the actual size of the needle point. I like to purchase needles that come in packages containing multiple sizes. This is a personal preference, simply because I work with many different types and weights of fabric on a regular basis.
Once a multipack has been opened, it can be hard to keep track of the different needle sizes if you don’t already have a way to tell them apart. Each needle has its size stamped at the top. Most people need a magnifying glass to see these tiny numbers, however. Some people develop a color coded system to make the process a little easier.
They assign a needle size to a particular color and then make a tiny mark at or near the top of the needle with an indelible marking pen. Not only is this a great time saver, but it also helps alleviate eye strain.
If, on the other hand, you almost exclusively work with lightweight knit or light to medium weight woven fabrics, you probably don’t need a needle combo pack in your sewing basket.
For those who work with multiple fabric types and weights, however, the following table* should be useful in helping you determine which sewing needle type and size to use for specific fabric weights and types.
| Fabric Weight/Woven | Needle Point | Needle Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sheer … voile, chiffon, georgette, batiste, organza, microdenier, microfiber | Universal | 9/70; 11/80 |
| Lightweight … crepe de chine, charmeuse, gauze, tissue faille, handkerchief linen, taffeta, silk | Universal | 11/80 |
| Medium weight … chintz, corduroy, brocade, broadcloth, flannel, poplin, linen, taffeta, ultra (synthetic) suede, terrycloth, velvet, satin | Universal | 14/90 |
| Medium to heavy weight … gabardine, ticking, wool, coating, damask, drapery fabric, upholstery fabric, fake fur | Universal | 16/100; 18/100 |
| Fabric Weight/Knit | Needle Point | Needle Size |
|---|---|---|
| Sheer/lightweight … spandex, tricot, jersey, single knit | Ball | 10/70; 12/80 |
| Medium/heavyweight … double knit; sweater knit; sweatshirt fabric | Ball | 14/90 |
| Specialty Fabrics | Needle Point | Needle Size |
|---|---|---|
| Denim or canvas | Denim/ Jeans | 16/100 |
| Leather/suede/buckskin | Leather/ Wedge | 14/90; 16/100 |
How to Choose the Best Needle for a Sewing Machine
Your needles, irrespective of their sturdiness, are prone to bending and breaking. It’s time to look for new sewing machine needles when you realize that there is a deterioration in the quality of the stitches. Here are some tips that will help you choose the right needle for your next sewing project:
Compatibility with Sewing Machines
When working on a project, the incorrect needle may not fit and even break. Before you buy needles to finish your project, you should check the needle system on your sewing machine.
Most sewing needles actually work well with the best sewing machines on the market. But some needle brands might work better with a certain machine. Look into the different needle brands until you find the one that works best for your needs.
Size of the needles
To fit different textiles, sewing needles are available in a range of sizes. Consider the tasks you will most likely complete first. There is no need to purchase very thick needles if you plan on working mostly with light fabrics like satin and chiffon. Universal needles can be used to work with most medium-weight materials.
Very thick needles will be needed to work with heavier textiles like corduroy, leather, and denim, since the larger the shaft size, the thicker the needle has to be. Needle sizes are either engraved on the needle or listed on the container. Color-coded needles are also helpful because they keep people from having to squint to read the numbers that are etched on them. Engraved needles are much easier to distinguish.
Color-coded needles are also helpful because they keep people from having to squint to read the numbers that are etched on them.
Storage
Nothing is more annoying than needles lying around in random places. Search for needles that come in boxes, as they retain your needles in a better position. Ensure that the needle container can hold the sewing needles securely. The storage area of your sewing machine can comfortably accommodate the needle box.
Simple threading
Some needles are very strong and can handle thicker fabrics, but their eyes are not large enough to accommodate heavy threads. If the needle can’t hold up the heavy fabric, your sewing project might not be as good as it could be. Therefore, see if the thread can easily pass through the eye of the needle by inspecting it.
Sewing Insight’s Final Verdict
You should keep in mind that your selection of needle sizes is equally crucial as selecting the sewing machine needle that is best suited for your project. The numbers on the package of sewing machine needles usually match up with the thickness of fabric that each needle can sew. Larger numbers are an indicator of thicker cloth being able to be sewn.
- Best Overall: Universal Sewing Machine Needles
- Best for beginners: Singer 04800 Universal Needles
- Best for Embroidery: Embroidery Sewing Machine Needles
- Best for Heavy-Duty: SINGER 04801 Universal Heavy Duty Sewing Machine Needles
- Best for Denim: Euro-Notions Jeans & Denim Machine Needles
- Best for Quilting: Schmetz Quilting Sewing Machine Needles
- Best for Knitting: Singer 04809 Titanium Universal Ball Point Machine Needles
Frequently Asked Questions
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Best Sewing Machine Needles
I assure you that you’re not the only one if you’re thinking, “I do not even know what sort of needle lies in my sewing machine, but never mind, I…
The post Best Sewing Machine Needles appeared first on Sewing Insight.