I sew denim / jeans fabric often, when I start hearing at pop pop sound I know the needle is dull, it's time to resharpen it,
new needles I find even the better brands are not really sharp ,
try using a piece of black sand paper laying on a hard flat surface, drag the tip of the needle over that. use like 400 / 600 / 800 grit paper.
at times I'll just use a knife sharpening wet stone. you might be surprised what that will do
Last edited by xxxxxxxxxx; 09-16-2014 at 12:03 AM.