Machine Embroidery Needles

Recently, a member of a Facebook stitching group asked for reference materials on needles. What a great request! Personally, I’m a bit of an ingrate. I don’t give a lot of thought to the needle on my machine -- until something goes wrong. And there are my needles, stitching faithfully away, bearing the heat and friction just so my embroidery can look nice.

Here’s a tip: change your needle frequently. The needle goes through a lot and can actually show wear before breaking. Changing a needle before it reaches the breaking point saves wear on your machine and it also saves you the problems that come with a broken needle in your project. Needles are not expensive; give 'em a break. I mean... before they break.

A while ago, I got smart and bought ball point and sharp needles in bulk, so as to be prepared and not have to run to the store or wait for needles to be delivered in the middle of a project. So I now have 75/11 size needles on hand. But have you noticed the number of options in needles lately?

How do you navigate them all? Is it really important? More than you’d think. Most of the embroidery I routinely do can be done with the needles in my stash, but there are certain jobs, certain threads, and certain situations that would really benefit from a different kind of needle.

Needles are sized according to two systems: American and European. The European number tells you the diameter size of the needle shaft in hundredths of a millimeter. The American system goes from 8 to 19, 8 being a fine needle and 19 being a thick, heavy needle.

So when I say I need a size 75/11, I’m only talking about one size, translated into two systems.

I’ve linked up a number of needle educational charts, and a video. The charts and video were compiled by my friend Jennifer Lyman. The charts can be printed for reference, and can help you when you go needle shopping.

Needle parts: https://images.embroidery.com/pdf/needle.pdf

Needle Sizes chart: https://images.embroidery.com/pdf/Needle%20charts%203%20page.pdf

Everything Needles chart (combines the above: https://images.embroidery.com/pdf/knowledgecharts.pdf

I’ve also recently screened Lindee Goodall’s class*, Thread Savvy: Stitch Flawlessly with Any Thread, and would like to recommend it, as well. It sounds like a thread class, and it is. Think about it though, thread is one of the most important companions to your needle. You can learn a lot about needles when you learn to use different types of thread. Lindee’s class is a wealth of information about both. Particularly if different threads interest you, I suggest catching that class on Craftsy; Lindee truly covers them all.

Here’s to happy stitching!

*Embroidery.com is a member of Craftsy.com's affiliate program and may receive compensation for providing links to their resources. Kirsten’s Machine Embroidery Blog is hosted by Embroidery.com.