needle question
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 449
There is an article in July/August of McCall's Quilting about needles. Regarding machine sewing needles, specifically universal needles, the article reads "...for the precision work of piecing or quilting, a "Sharp" needle gives more consistent results on cotton fabric." In all my quilting reading, I had never heard this before. Do I need to stop using universal needles for piecing, and now use sharps? I haven't had any issues with univrsals, I change the needle after every project.
#3
Maybe it means a "sharp" needle as in a new needle???? A dull needle will pull the threads of your fabric. When you hear the needle "pop" as it goes into the fabric, it's dull.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
#4
Somewhere on here, recently, someone said needles labelled "for Jeans" are best because they are VERY sharp. That said, I've always used Universal and don't have a problem. You can also use the search feature here on "needles" to get to other threads that discuss this.
#5
Originally Posted by momymom
Maybe it means a "sharp" needle as in a new needle???? A dull needle will pull the threads of your fabric. When you hear the needle "pop" as it goes into the fabric, it's dull.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Indiana
Posts: 449
Yes, after reading the article, I went shopping, and looked for sharps at JoAnn's and Hancocks, and neither place had them. I think I will stick with my universals. Thanks for all the replies, I had never heard this before, so I was curious what other people think and what they use. Thanks for reassuring me. I'm still a little under confident of my quilting knowledge.
#9
Sharps are also called Microtex these days, by Schmetz anyway. I use them because I use batiks so much and they are much better on the tighter weave. They have an ultrafine point and a thin shaft (70/10 for batiks, 75/11 or 80/12 for regular cottons). I don't buy Universals for anything anymore. :oops:
#10
Originally Posted by Scissor Queen
Originally Posted by momymom
Maybe it means a "sharp" needle as in a new needle???? A dull needle will pull the threads of your fabric. When you hear the needle "pop" as it goes into the fabric, it's dull.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
Also, the experts say a needle is only good for 8 hours of sewing.
I usually use topstitch or Universal needles. I thought the "universal" meant it "fit into all machines" LOL. I didn't realize it was talking about the pointy end :)
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Beginner10
Main
51
02-24-2012 10:48 PM