Choosing the right needle for your Brother sewing machine is as essential as selecting the right fabric for your sewing project. However, the array of needle types can often leave you bemused. Fret not, this blog post is designed to aid you in choosing the perfect Brother sewing machine needle for your project!
Why is Needle Selection Important?
Every fabric requires a particular needle type for a smooth sewing process. Using an incorrect needle can result in skipped stitches, fabric puckering, or even a broken needle. Following a simple guideline can save you from such hassles and ensure a perfect sewing experience.
Brother Sewing Machine Needle Types
Universal Needles: These are jack-of-all-trade needles, suitable for most woven and knit fabrics. Ideal for cotton, linen, and synthetic materials, they come with slightly rounded tips that ensure smooth sewing.
Ballpoint Needles: As the name suggests, these needles have a rounded tip and are perfect for sewing knit fabrics. They push aside the fabric threads, instead of piercing them, preventing fabric runs and ensuring longevity.
Sharp Needles: These needles are highly effective for fabrics like silks, microfibers, and foils. Their sharp tip allows for flawless straight stitching.
Quilting Needles: Best suited for layered fabrics or quilting, these needles have specially tapered points that penetrate multiple fabric layers without damaging them.
Leather Needles: Leather and vinyl require needles with a wedge-shaped point that can pierce through these heavy materials with ease.
Picking the Correct Needle Size
Choosing the right needle size is as crucial as picking the right needle type. But what do these numbers on the needle packages mean? Let's simplify it.
Needle sizes are typically written with two numbers separated by a slash, like 60/8 or 120/19. In a simple sense, the smaller numbers (for example, 60/8) mean smaller needles for lighter fabrics. On the other hand, the larger numbers (like 120/19) are for larger needles which we use for heavier fabrics.
Now, let's break it down further:
Needles for Light Weight Fabrics (sizes: 60/8, 65/9, and 70/10): Thin fabrics such as silk or chiffon require fine needles. They glide through the fabric smoothly, making delicate and beautiful stitches without damaging the fabric.
Needles for Medium Weight Fabrics (sizes: 75/11 and 80/12): If you're sewing with regular cotton, linen, or rayon, these medium-sized needles are your best pick.
Needles for Heavy Weight Fabrics (sizes: 90/14, 100/16, and 120/19): For thick fabrics like jeans, canvas, or leather, we need stronger, larger needles. They can handle the density of these heavy fabrics and still make strong, lasting stitches.
Remember that the key is to match your needle size with your fabric weight. It's also a good practice to change your needle after every sewing project or every 16 hours of sewing use. This way, your needle stays sharp, ensuring that your stitches always look neat and tidy.
Happy sewing, and remember: with Mysewingmall, making is always easy!
