Sewing Needles

There is a wide variety of hand sewing and machine sewing needles.  Make sure you choose the appropriate needle according to the type of fabric and thread you are using.

FACT: The first sewing needles were made by western Europeans and central Asians over 17,000 years ago. The needles were handmade out of bone.

Types of hand sewing Needles:

Make sure that you choose a needle  small enough to penetrate your fabric without stretching it, and large enough so that the thread you are using can slip thru the needle hole easily.

• Sharps - General purpose needles  The most commonly used needles for hand stitching.  The larger the number, the smaller the needle.  Comes in sizes (3-9).  Tattoo artist use #12 sharps needles.
• Between Needles -   Shorter needles, used for detailed handwork, such as fine stitching on heavy fabrics.  Comes in sizes (3 - 9).  Sizes (3, 4, 5, 6), most commonly used in tailoring and sizes (7, 8, 9), commonly used in quilting.
• Milliner Needles -   Longer needles used mostly for basting a millinery.  These are also called straw needles.  Comes in sizes (3-10).
• Crewel or Embroidery Needles -   These Needles have a longer eye to accommodate a thicker embroidery thread.  These are the same in length to Sharps.  Comes in  sizes: (3- 10), asst (3 to 9).
• Darner Needles -  Long needles used for basting and darning with cotton.  Comes in sizes (3-10).
• Curved Needles -   Comes in sizes, (2" x 19 gauge), (2 1/2" x 18 gauge) and (3" x 17 gauge). 
• Beading Needles - Fine, long needles used for sewing sequins and bead work onto fabrics.  Available in size (12).
• Calyx Eye - Have a slotted eye at the top; ideal for those who have difficulty threading a needle.
• Gold and platinum needles - Some sewers feel that these gold plated or platinum plated needles slip more effortlessly than usual through their fabric.
• Double Ended Quick Stitch -  The eye is in the centre of the needle. Points at both ends to allow quicker stitching without having to turn the fabric.

Sewing Machine Needles:

Use the following reference to choose the appropriate needle for each fabric type.  The needle is determined by the weight of the fabric, number of layers to be stitched and stitch density.

Needle Type	Fabric
Universal/multipurpose	Woven Fabrics, synthetics, knits
Embroidery	Machine embroidery, sewing with special or metallic threads
Ballpoint	Fleece, knits, double knits, stretch, ribbing, fake furs
Jeans	Heavyweight canvas, cottons, denim, tightly woven fabrics, faux suede and  leathers
Leather	Leather, plastic, suede
Stretch	Two-way stretch fabrics, lycra, swimwear, lingerie, elastic
Quilting	Patchwork-quilting, multi layer
Twin	Works two layers of parallel stitching at the same time
Sharps micro fibers	Fine fabrics, silks, satins, voile, polyesters, micro fiber fabric

Needle sizes:

American	European	Fabric Weight
9	60	Lightweight, fine, chiffon, voile
10	70	Lightweight, silks, organza
11	75	Swim wear, fine cottons, lingerie
12	80	Cottons, lightweight woolen, polyester, velvets, General dressmaking
14	90	Wool crepes, coatings, heavier woolens, fleece, upholstery cottons
16	100	Thick denim, canvas, heavy brocade, heavyweight coatings
18	110	Upholstery, multilayers, heavyweight fabric
20	120	Heavyweights