About the Needle; Size of needle; combination, especially a heavyweight fabric (i.e., denim) with a small needle (i.e., 65/9 - 75/11), may - Page 72

CHANGING THE NEEDLE

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About the Needle

The sewing machine needle is probably the most important part of the sewing machine. Choosing the 
proper needle for your sewing project will result in a beautiful finish and fewer problems. Below are some 
things to keep in mind about needles.

• The smaller the needle number, the finer the needle. As the numbers increase, the needles get thicker.
• Use fine needles with lightweight fabrics, and thicker needles with heavyweight fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 with stretch fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 when sewing character or decorative 

stitches.

• Use needle 75/11 for embroidery. Use ball point needle 75/11 for embroidering patterns with short jump 

stitches such as alphabet characters when the thread trimming function is turned on.

• Ball point needles (golden colored) 90/14 are not recommended for embroidery, as they may bend or break, 

causing injury.

• It is recommended that a 90/14 needle should be used when embroidering on heavyweight fabrics or 

stabilizing products (for example, denim, puffy foam, etc.). A 75/11 needle may bend or break, which could 
result in injury.

• A home sewing machine needle 75/11 is inserted in the sewing machine.

Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations

The following table provides information concerning the appropriate thread and needle for various 
fabrics. Please refer to this table when selecting a thread and needle for the fabric you wish to use.

Fabric type/Application

Thread

Size of needle

Type

Size

Medium weight fabrics

Broadcloth

Cotton thread

60 - 90

75/11 - 90/14

Taffeta

Synthetic thread

Flannel, Gabardine Silk thread

50

Thin fabrics

Lawn

Cotton thread

60 - 90

65/9 - 75/11

Georgette

Synthetic thread

Challis, Satin

Silk thread

50

Thick fabrics

Denim

Cotton thread

30

90/14 - 100/16

50

Corduroy

Synthetic thread

50 - 60

Tweed

Silk thread

Stretch fabrics

Jersey

Thread for knits

50 - 60

Ball point needle 

(gold colored)

75/11 - 90/14

Tricot

Easily frayed fabrics

Cotton thread

50 - 90

65/9 - 90/14

Synthetic thread

Silk thread

50

For top-stitching

Synthetic thread

50

90/14 - 100/16

Silk thread

Memo

• For transparent monofilament nylon thread, always use needle sizes 90/14 or 100/16.

The same thread is usually used for the bobbin thread and upper thread.

 CAUTION

• Be sure to follow the needle, thread, and fabric combinations listed in the table. Using an improper 

combination, especially a heavyweight fabric (i.e., denim) with a small needle (i.e., 65/9 - 75/11), may 
cause the needle to bend or break, and lead to injury. Also, the seam may be uneven, the fabric may 
pucker, or the machine may skip stitches.