SCHMETZ
needles has European and U.S. size equivalents written at the
very bottom of the front of the plastic case. Typically they range from
8/60 (the finest) to 20/120 (the largest). This number, indicating the
size, will help determine the suitability of the needles to the fabric,
thread size and the kind of sewing being done. In general, the finer
the thread and the finer the fabric that is being sewn, the finer the
needle should be.
Each package has
the name of the needle it contains. These names can help you choose the
right type of needle for the work you are about to do (i.e.,
"Universal," "Quilting," "Sharp," "Metallic," "Topstitch," "Embroidery,"
etc.). Each type of needle is made for a particular job and should be
chosen according to the type of fabric and thread used.
Cheaper carded needles do exist in the
market and many of them would like you to believe that they are just as
good as
SCHMETZ
Needles. No other needle manufacturer can match the
amount of detail and quality of material that goes into each needle
before it leaves the
SCHMETZ factory. Remember . . . not all needles are
created equal. Insist on high quality SCHMETZ Needles for all of your
sewing projects!
Ball Point
Needle
Made especially
for sewing on knits. Its unique point does not damage or break knitted
fibers. It comes in size 10/70 through 16/100 and in an assortment pack.
Choose the size that will handle the thread being used when sewing on
knits.
Denim/Jeans Needle
Made especially
for sewing through densely woven materials such as denim or imitation
leather. It is both strong and sharp. Some quilters use it when sewing
through many layers of fabrics, especially high thread count batiks.
This needle comes in sizes 10/70 through 18/110. Choose the size based
on the type of thread being used. The heavier jeans threads work best
with the larger needle.
Double Eye
Needle
Used for
embroidery and topstitching with decorative threads to produce
decorative seams. They have two (2) eyes, one right above the other. Two
different threads can be used for shading and texturing effects. These
needles work in machines that use the 130/705H system needles.
Double Needle
(Twin Needle)
Comes in a
variety of needle types and sizes. Double needles are actually two
needles mounted on one shaft and are used to create two rows of stitches
at the same time. When using a double needle two spools of thread will
be used in the top of the machine. Pass the thread from each one on a
different side of the tension discs and thread one into each needle.
Only one bobbin thread will be used and the stitches will create a
double "web" of stitches on the back of the work. Check to see how you
like this under stitching prior to using these needles.
The following
Schmetz Double Needles are available: Double Universal, Denim,
Hemstitch, Machine Embroidery, Metallic, and Stretch style needles.
Choose the type that is right for your fabric as you would with any of
the needles above. The package of needles will show two numbers. One is
the needle size; the other is the distance between the two needles. This
distance varies from 2.0 mm to 6.0 mm. Remember that the needles must
fit through the hole in the stitch plate, so if you have been using a
straight stitch plate you must change it to a zig-zag stitch plate to
avoid hitting the plate with the needles! This could be a disappointing
and expensive mistake!
Embroidery
Needle
For use with
rayon and other specialty machine embroidery threads including
polyesters. The special scarf, long smooth groove, and large eye, of
this needle protect these more fragile threads and guard against excess
friction. These needles come in size 75 and 90. The beautiful sheen of
these threads results in outstanding embroidery work. Check the size of
the thread and use the appropriate size needle for each thread —
remember the finer the thread, the smaller size needle that should be
used.
Gold
Embroidery Needle
The special
Titanium Nitride ceramic coating improves needle wear resistance in high
stitch count applications and penetration of coarse or densely woven
materials. Has a slightly rounded point for embroidery on most fabrics.
The enlarged eye accommodates special application threads.
Hemstitch Needle
Sometimes called
a Wing Needle. It is used to create decorative openwork or cut-work on
tightly woven fabrics. This needle comes in sizes 100 and 120 and should
be used with caution as it is very sharp and is made to actually cut the
fabric. The user may want to use a stabilizer and experiment with
decorative stitches when using this needle. Carefully hand turn the
needle through the stitch movements before actually trying it on the
project to assure that the throat plate opening will accommodate the
design! Using a straight stitch plate will probably result in a broken
needle.
Leather Needle
Has a slightly
sharp cutting point for leather and other heavy non-woven synthetics
including imitation leather. It comes in size 8/60 through 18/110 and in
an assortment package. Choose the size based on the type and size of
thread being used.
Metallic Needle
A must for
sewing with metallic threads. It comes in sizes 80 and 90 and helps
prevent shredding and breaking with metallic threads. It has a double
sized, polished, and Teflon coated eye to assure smooth flow of thread.
If your customers have struggled with metallics before and blamed the
thread, have them try again with this specialty needle for trouble free
embellishment with these beautiful but sometime fragile threads.
Microtex Sharp
A very slim
needle with a thin shaft that helps make very straight stitches. It was
developed for the modern micro- fibers and polyesters and high thread
count, high quality fabrics used today. The point is very sharp — thus
the name — but because of this it is a bit more fragile and needs to be
changed more regularly. This is a great needle for piecing high thread
count fabrics like Batiks, silks, and microfibers. It is also used for
beautiful topstitching or edge stitching. It comes in sizes 60, 70, 80,
and 90.
Quilting Needle
Made especially
for piecing and machine quilting. The thin tapered design of these
needles allows them to pass through many layers smoothly to help
eliminate skipped stitches and keep stitches even. These needles come in
size 75 which is fine for piecing with 50 weight threads or size 90
which works well with heavier plain or variegated 40 weight threads for
quilting. This needle is also sold in an assortment pack containing both
sizes 75 and 90.
Self-Threading
Needle
A general
purpose needle with a slip-in threading slot for people who have
difficulty threading needles. These needles are helpful for children,
those with vision problems, or those having difficulties with fine motor
coordination resulting from arthritis or other conditions. They come in
sizes 12/80 and 14/90. Due to the limited types and sizes available it
may be preferable to use a needle threader which is purchased separately
or built into the machine to accomplish a full range of sewing
techniques.
Stretch Needle
Made especially
for synthetic suede or highly elastic synthetic knit wear. This needle
is constructed with a medium ball point to help prevent skipped
stitches. It comes in sizes 11/75 and 14/90. Choose the size based on
the type and size of thread being used.
Topstitch Needle
Has an extra
large eye and large grooves to accommodate topstitch thread. This needle
helps stitch perfectly straight lines and even stitches. It comes in
sizes 10/70, 12/80 and 14/90 and 16/100. It is helpful to use a straight
stitch plate if you are expecting perfectly straight top stitching
results. Choose the size based on the type and size of thread being used
Triple Needle
Triple needles
are actually three needles mounted on one shaft and are used to create
three rows of decorative stitching at the same time.
Universal Needle
A
general purpose needle that can be used on knit or woven fabrics. A
casual sewer who might repair a pair of jeans today, a child’s t-shirt
tomorrow, and some lingerie next month will probably use this needle
most often. It will do a number of tasks sufficiently. It has a long
scarf that is great for zigzag stitching and it does not damage knits.
It is sharp enough to go through a lot of fabrics but it does have a
slight ball point which does not make it ideal for going through many
layers or high thread count fabrics. This needle comes in a wide range
of sizes from size 60 to size 120.
