Needles are indispensable tools in sewing, crafting, and medical applications, but their variety can be overwhelming. Each type of needle is designed for a specific purpose, ensuring precision, efficiency, and safety.
Using the wrong needle can lead to damaged materials, ineffective stitching, or discomfort. Understanding the different types of needles and their uses is essential for achieving optimal results in any task. In this article, we’ll explore the various types of needles, their unique features, and their applications in everyday and specialized activities.
What Is the Use of Needles?
You can identify a needle with its thin, polished metal shaft. It is usually sharp at one end with a hole at its other end. The thread used for stitching is run through this hole. Knitting needles are, however, different. They are thin sticks made of metal or plastic and have a pointed end and no holes at their other end.
Parts of a Needle
In the anatomy of a needle, it has 5 parts:
Shank: The head of a needle is called a shank. It sits in the socket of the sewing machine.
Blade: The blade is used to determine the size of the needle.
Shaft: The body of a needle is called a shaft. It has an eye at its end through which the run thread is to be run.
Point: The tip of the needle is referred to as a point and it varies according to the type of needle.
Scarf: The flattened part of the needle near the eye is called the scarf of the needle.
Different Types of Needles & thier Features
You must select needles based on the type of fabric you are stitching. Selecting the correct fabric, stabilizer, and thread is as important as selecting the correct type of needle. Here comes the different kinds of needles and the different sizes they are available in.
1. Universal Needle
The point of the universal needle is slightly rounded.
It is perfect for woven textiles like cotton.
For knitted fabrics, universal needles may be sharp.
Sizes of Different Types of Needles Based on Fabric
Sizes of needles are as important as selecting the right needle and fabric. Here’s a table with the different types of needles, their sizes, and types of fabric you can sew with them.
Sl. No.
Types of Fabric
Types of Needle
Size of the Needle
1
Lightweight to Sheer fabrics (Micro denier, microfiber, Voile, Organza, Georgette, Chiffon, and Batiste)
Regular point needles
9/70 or 11/80
2
Lightweight fabrics (Tissue Faille, taffeta, Silk, Handkerchief Linen, Gauze, Crêpe de Chine, Charmeuse, Chambray, and Challis)
Medium to heavy-weight fabrics (Woolens, Ticking, Gabardine, Fake fur, Drapery fabrics, Damask, and Coating)
Regular point
16/100 or 18/110
5
Canvas and denim
Jeans/Denim
16/100
6
Lightweight to sheer knits (Tricot, Spandex, Single knit, Jersey)
Ballpoint
10/70 or 12/80
7
Medium to heavy-weight knits (Sweater knit, Sweatshirt, and Double knit)
Ballpoint
14/90
8
Specialty fabrics (Buckskin, Suede, and Leather)
Wedge point
14/90 or 16/100
Sizes of Needles Based on Different Types
Here’s another table based on the different types of needles and the fabric, needle size, and thread that you can use those needles on.
Sl. No.
Types of Needles
Size of the Needle
Type of Fabric
Types of Thread
1
Universal needle
70 (10)
Delicate silk, sheers, voile
Gutermann Sew-All
80 (12)
Light wool, rayon, poplin, shirtings
Gutermann Sew-All
90 (14)
Linen, medium-heavy fabrics, calico
Gutermann Sew-All
100 (16)
Heavy fabric, bag making, upholstery
Gutermann Sew-All
110 (18)
Upholstery and extra-heavy fabric
Gutermann Sew-All and Gutermann Extra Upholstery
2
Sharp needles
70 (10)
Microfiber and voile
Gutermann Sew-All
80 (12)
Patchwork, microfiber, and shirtings
Gutermann Sew-All
90 (14)
Topstitching
Gutermann Sew-All
3
Ballpoint needles
70 (10)
Tricot and light knits
Gutermann Sew-All
80 (12)
Lacoste and interlock
Gutermann Sew-All
90 (14)
Double knit and medium-heavy knits
Gutermann Sew-All
4
Stretch needles
75 (11)
Elasticised fabrics and light lycra
Gutermann Sew-All
90 (14)
Elasticised fabrics, elastic-heavy lycra
Gutermann Sew-All
5
Jeans needles
90 (14)
Tightly woven fabrics and denim
Gutermann Extra Upholstery
100 (16)
Furnishings, vinyl, and heavy denim
Gutermann Extra Upholstery
6
Leather needles
90 (14)
Suede and leather
Gutermann Extra Upholstery and Gutermann Sew-All
100 (16)
Not for synthetic leather
Gutermann Extra Upholstery and Gutermann Sew-All
7
Metafil needles
80 (12)
Decorative sewing on different fabrics
Gutermann Extra Upholstery and Gutermann Sew-All
8
Quilting needles
80 (12)
Quilts made from polyester, wool, or cotton with a wadding center
Gutermann Natural Cotton
9
Embroidery needles
75 (11)
Decorative sewing on lightweight textiles
90 (14)
Decorative sewing on heavy textiles
10
Twin needles
various
Mostly decorative sewing on multiple fabrics
To Conclude
Remember that choosing the right needle for your stitching work is as important as choosing the right fabric, sewing machine, and size of the needle of your chosen type. Hope our table on what needle goes for which fabric helped you in finding the right needle for that baby sweater you have in mind.
Different Types of Needles FAQs:
1. What do you mean by the scarf of a needle?
The indentation above the eye of the needle is called the scarf of the needle. It allows you to grab the thread by a bobbin hook under the throat plate. This will help you create a stitch. A long scarf will help you to avoid skipping stitches as it allows the hook to loop the thread easily.
2. What is the purpose of a needle with 2 holes?
The second hole keeps the needle eye as close to the thread as you sew it. Your thread may shred as you run it through a needle with two holes and may also come unthreaded. The top points might also hurt your finger if you push the needle while stitching.
3. What do needle sizes mean?
Needle sizes indicate the thickness of the needle, i.e., the larger the number indicated as size, the thicker the needle will be. A smaller number in the American system indicates a needle with a thickness range from 8 to 20 whereas a larger number indicates needles with a thickness f=range from 60 to 120. The sizes of the common sewing machine needles are 100/16, 90/14, 80/12, 75/11. 70/10, and 60/8.
4. Will all types of needles fit the sewing machine?
Yes, most types of sewing machine needles will fit all sewing machines. Brands such as Schmetz, produce needles that can work with all sewing machines brands. However, brands like Sergers, embroidery machines, overlock sewing machines, or other special sewing machines need special types of needles to stitch accurately.
5. How should I choose the right needle for my sewing machine?
Here are some points to remember while choosing a needle for your sewing machine:
Light fabric = small-sized needle
Heavy fabric = large-sized needle
Depending on the thread you are using
Posted by
Harsha
With more than a year of honing her craft, Harsha is a bona fide aficionado of engaging stories in interior design, civil engineering, construction, and property reviews. She is a firm believer that in the alchemy of language, words always transmute into emotions, no matter the genre. But when the laptop closes, her emotions are fueled by dystopian sci-fiction, mythical fantasies, and amateur sketching.
