Originally Posted by janRN
Is there a difference between top stitching needles and quilting needles? Both have the larger eye but I can't see if the groove on the front is different. I tried both of these yesterday with the same $#$@ shreading result.
Thanks Pati.
Yes there is a difference. One place to learn more about needles is
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle
Yes this is from Superior threads but has a very concise explanation.
There are lots of sources of info about sewing machine needles, some with great photos and closeups of the various parts of the needles. Just do a search for "sewing machine needle information" or such.
Something else to think about..... When you use the needle threader on your machine you are pushing a metal wire through the eye of the needle. If that wire touches the metal of the needle it scratches. A very fine scratch but that can be enough to cause a burr that will help shred the thread as it goes in and out the eye of the needle dozens of times before actually being sewn into a stitch.
Lots of places and reasons for shredding thread.
First check your thread. Is it good quality? Not old/brittle? (Try a tug test, if you can break it easy by holding in both hands and tugging your hands apart the thread is probably not going to do well in the machine.) Hold the thread up to see if there are slubs and uneven spots. If so that could also be the culprit. A slub can catch on the eye of the needle and cause shredding.
"Wrapped" threads are much easier to shred because the wrap can fray and move up the core. Threads spun/plied with long, or better yet extra long, staple fibers are less likely to be slubby. And If tightly twisted are better than loosely twisted.
Lots of info on threads and more is available at the Superior Threads site, under the "Education" tab. Remember that Superior is a producer and seller of a line of threads and they do emphasize their own brand. But it is a very good quality thread too. <G>
Have fun,
Pati, in Phx