6
Thread and Needle Chart
Fabrics Thread
Needle Size
Crepe de Chine, Voile, Fine Silk 9
Lawn, Organdy, Fine Cotton or
Georgette,
Fine Synthetic 11
Tricot Fine Cotton
Covered
Polyester
Linens, Cotton, Pique, 50 silk 11
Serge, Double Knits,
50 to 80 Cotton or
Percale 50 to 60
14
Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
Denim, Tweed, 50 silk 14
Gabardine,
Coating, Drapery and 40 to 50 Cotton
Upholstery Fabric 40 to 50 16
Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
Light
weight
Medium
weight
Heavy
weight
* In general, fine threads and needles are used for sewing
thin fabrics, and thicker threads and needles are used for
sewing heavy fabrics. Always test thread and needle size
on a small piece of fabric which will be used for actual sewing.
* Use the same thread for needle and bobbin.
* When sewing stretch, very fine fabrics and synthetics,use
a BLUE TIPPED needle.
The blue tipped needle effectively prevents skipped stitches.
* When sewing very fine fabrics, sew over a piece of paper
to prevent seam puckering.
Changing Needle
Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward you and
lower the presser foot.
Loosen the needle clamp screw by turning it counterclockwise.
Remove the needle from the clamp.
Insert the new needle into the clamp with the flat side away
from you.
When inserting the needle into the clamp, push it up as far as
it will go and tighten the clamp screw firmly with the screwdriver.
* Check your needles frequently for barbed or blunted points.
Snags and runs in knits, fine silks and silk-like fabrics are
permanent and are almost always caused by a damaged
needle.
To check the needle
Place the flat side of the needle on something flat (needle
plate, glass etc.). The clearance between the needle and flat
surface should be consistent. Never use a bent or blunt needle.