Originally Posted by
Macybaby
I know with my Bailey - the discussions about thread breaking are often due to a too small needle - and in those cases they recomend going up to a 16. I use a 14 regularly with mine, which is interesting as I normally use a 10 in my Viking and don't have problems, and I'm using the same thread.
Cathy, is the Bailey any faster than the Viking?
The viking is a Tin Lizzy, right? I've never run one at speed, only played slowly and watched my cousin's quilt computerized style..... if the Bailey is faster, I bet that's why it's asking for the bigger needle.
ETA: Oh DUH!! The viking is your domestic, right?
Here's a basic comparison for Home needles vs the Industrial needles we use in the long arms - As best I can tell, the most common sizes in LA machines seem to be 3.5 and 4.0 - so #16 - #18 sized needles, even for a #40 poly (thinner than many 50WT cottons) I use the equivalent of a #16! On the 4.0 needle, I can practically throw the thread through the eye!!:
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/catego...Arm-Needles-27 MR 2.0 = Nm 70 = Size 10
MR 2.5 = Nm 75 = Size 11
MR 3.0 = Nm 90 = Size 14
MR 3.5 = Nm 100 = Size 16
MR 4.0 = Nm 110 = Size 18
MR 5.0 = Nm 130 = Size 21
MR 6.0 = Nm 140 = Size 22
(Again, yes, I quote Superior because they're the most prolific as far as thread education materials... I don't use a lot of their products at this point) Thread shred and breakage being caused by too small a needle is so common, they call it #1 of their "7 deadly sins..."
http://www.superiorthreads.com/blog/...ns-sewing-1-7/
Originally Posted by
ThayerRags
It seems like everyone wanted to use their own numbering system, all hoping to become the “standard” for thread size measurements. Well, standards were finally agreed upon.
Even with the "standards" there's still some room for fudging it. Aurifil 50wt 2ply vs a Gutermann 3 ply, etc are quite different. Also, 40WT and #40 are 2 different things. It's all very confusing. Superior threads says to use the WT ratings only as a guideline. 30 - 40wt "heavier" 50Wt mediumish, 60wt thinner.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...weight-system/
http://www.superiorthreads.com/video...ght-explained/
I agree with the TEX rating if there is one. For a lot of threads, that's not an option though.