Originally Posted by Bluphrog
Originally Posted by TonnieLoree
The older singers used the rounded needles. . . . . . But still, the older types still require the rounded types.
That's not quite right. Older Singers used both rounded and pointed needles, depending on what was being sewn. The rounded needles are called ball point needles and are for sewing polyester fabrics. The ball shape of the point pushes the fibers aside, rather than piercing them. Pointed needles (sharps) are for use with natural fibers (cotton, linen, silk, etc.), because they pierce the fibers. Ball point needles were not the only needles you could use on the older Singers. I bought my first Singer in 1971, and changed needles depending on what type of fabric I was sewing on, though that was when doubleknit was all the rage, so I did use ball point needles a lot. To make things even more confusing, the universal needles can be used in place of either ball point or sharp needles, as they are slightly less pointed than sharps, but not as rounded as ball points.
Quilters use sharps because they are sewing cotton fabric, but if you are sewing garments using knit fabrics, you would use ball point needles.
Yes, you are correct, and I apologize if my explanation led to confusion for you. I know the difference between ball-points and sharps and all of the rest. I should have said the rounded area was in the shank, not the tip. :lol: