Sewing machine needles for old machines
 

Do I have to get a special kind of size 90 needle for quilting on my old machine (1950s White) or are they universal? Thanks!

Your machine should take standard 15 x 1 needles.

Or the standard Schmetz 130/705H.

A "universal" needle should work, depending on the fabric. You may want to go one size larger (100). If you have a very thick quilt, or denim, you may want to try a Jeans needle instead of the Universal, it has a sharper point.

At least you have a machine that takes the most common sized needles, so that gives you a lot more options.

My long arm takes a longer needle, and they only come one tip type, but I don't know if it's more like the Universal tip, or the Jeans tip.

For anyone else reading - "Universal" refers to the type of fabric the needle is suitable for, it has nothing to do with the size of the needle or what machines it may fit.

I looked at a needle package that came with the accessories for my sewing machine. The package said HAx1 #14. Not sure what this means. There was no brand on the package. Thanks!

HAx1 is the same as those listed above - it's also Singer 2020. Seems each Mfg likes to use their own system of measurement.

Being that your machine is a White from the 50's, it's most likely Japanse made, and would take "Singer size" needles. It's interesting that before WW2, only a few US machines used the Singer needles and side clamp attachments, but after the war and the Japanse companies using the Singer patents - they all ended up using side clamp and the same size needle.

There were a few US companies that had switched to useing the shorter needle prior.
Pfaff and Viking used the side clamp and shorter needle - I don't know which used it first, one of these or Singer. Makes you wonder if these three had ties from way, way back . . . they are all owned by the same company today.

Yes it is Japanese made. Says so on the plate right on the machine. Thanks so much for the info!