Tuesday Tip - Which Needle Should I Use?
Posted by Annette on Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
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If you're like me, sometimes when you sit down to sew a new project, you're just not sure which needle would be best. There's a vast array of choices out there these days, so I thought a little needle-cation might be in order. I turned to our friends from Schemtz and found some very helpful information!
Schmetz has produced an ABC Pocket Guide and I have the link for you! You'll find this PDF stuffed full of valuable info, but I want to point out two things I have found to be essential in my sewing life. 1. ALWAYS test your needle on a few scraps of fabric from the project you are about to dive into. Fabrics vary greatly and it may be that you will actually be happy with a different needle than the one recommended. And, every once in awhile you'll find a needle with a burr on it. You want to find that burr on a scrap, not on your project! If that happens, just toss the burred needle and use a different one out of the pack. Doesn't happen often, but when it does, you'll be very glad you were testing on a scrap. 2. CHANGE YOUR NEEDLE OFTEN. Schmetz has a list of reasons in the ABC Guide and I think you'll be amazed at how much a needle change can improve the quality of your sewing experience! Unless I'm sewing one project immediately after the other. I change my needle every time I start a new project. Or, if I'm doing a lot of sewing, I change it every 6 - 8 hours of sewing time. Much better to be safe than sorry and there's nothing more frustrating than shredded thread, puckery seams and/or skipped stitches. Repeat after me - MUST CHANGE NEEDLE, MUST CHANGE NEEDLE. (Very good - I can hear you!) Okay, here's the link: http://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/pdf/ABC-brochure.pdf Open the PDF, read it thoroughly, memorize it, print it and put it with your sewing machine manual. Then email the link to your friends. They'll love you for it! Remember . . . friends don't let friends sew with the wrong needle. Have a great Tuesday! ~ Annette |
Comments
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Glad to help, Carolyn. Now that you know the chant, you'll be fine! :-)by Annette on 18 October 2011 at 5:38 p.m.
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Thanks for the information. I am so bad about not changing my needle. I needed the reminder.by Carolyn on 18 October 2011 at 5:27 p.m.
