Marking sewing needles recently carried out not only by letters, but also by color. This method helps to easily find the right needle, without trying to make out the letter of the marking.
Letters and color in the marking
It will be useful for beginning seamstresses to learn to understand the marking of needles:
- H - universal needles (Nadel). The color is blue. Are intended for dense fabrics, have sharp sharpening. Ideal for sewing jeans, canvas;
- Н-М - microtex needles. Color - purple. Very thin and sharply sharpened needles, used for delicate fabrics like taffeta and silk;
- Н-S - needles for elastic fabrics. Yellow color. These needles are always rounded. Ideal for sewing knitwear or stretch synthetics due to the edge, reducing the risk of missing stitching;
- Н-Е - needles for embroidery. Color - red. They have a more rounded hole in the eyelet and a special edge;
- HQ - needles for quilting. They have a special bevel on the rounded point and a smaller eyelet. Do not puncture the tissue;
- H-SUK - a needle with a strongly rounded hole for knitted materials. Suitable for thick jersey, jersey, also for hand-knitted materials;
- H-LR - needles for the skin. They have a strongly sharpened cutting edge. Sharpening at an angle of 45 degrees allows you to make a decorative stitch from stitches with a slight slope. Such needles are used exclusively for the skin.
How to choose a sewing needle by number?
The first number in the marking of needles denotes the diameter of the needle in hundredths of a millimeter. Accordingly, the smaller the first number of the needle, the smaller the opening it will leave after itself.
The second number in the marking of needles (usually put after a fraction) denotes the number of this needle for those countries where the non-metric measurement system is adopted (inches, yards, etc.).
That is, the needle number 80/12 has a diameter of 0.8 mm, which is what both numbers in the marking say.
Do not try to always choose a needle with a small diameter: they can deal worse with thick fabrics.
Needle shape for sewing machine
The shape of the needles may also be different:
- A single needle. Ordinary needles, standard - with one needle on one flask.
- Double sewing needle - on one flask there are two needles. Used for decorative joints. Distance between needles: 2.5 4.0 6.0 mm. There are also triple needles for sewing machines, they are also used to create decorative seams.
- The winged needle has its own wings in the form of wings, for which it received its name. Used for decorative joints, most often for imitation of the hem. It is best suited for working on loose fabrics.
How to choose a needle for a sewing machine?
We offer to pay attention to a few simple rules:
- The shape of the bulb. Needles with a round bulb are used only in industrial machines. For household sewing machines are designed needles with spills on the flask, created specifically to ensure that the needle can be properly installed in the typewriter. A needle with a round bulb, improperly installed in a household appliance, can lead to machine breakage or malfunction.
- Do not discard instructions from sewing machines! They include the number and brand of recommended needles.
- Check the needle for curvature. Do not try to saw the needle yourself or align it yourself! Such defects as curvature and bent point are not corrected, the needles are immediately discarded.
- Choose a needle that matches the type of fabric you are going to work with. Incorrectly selected needle can lead to deformation of the fabric, leave puffs, wrinkle the seam, leave large punctures or even break.
- Particular attention should be paid to the selection of needles for the overlock. For such a needle, not only its diameter but also its length is important. Therefore, it is best to bring an old one with a new needle.