Originally Posted by
Rennie
Suggestions for needle sizes? I have a combo sewing/embroidery machine and just wonder what size needles everyone is using for what? Do you change out to an embroidery needle (Schmetz has them) when you go from piecing/sewing to embroidery? Or do you just use a regular sewing machine needle when you embroider and piece? I have so many different needles from over the years, and I am getting confused. When I went to buy new ones at JA, they had machine needles for Quilting that indicated "sharp", microtex sharp needles, embroidery needles, and regular needles - all for the sewing machines. I must be getting too old to figure this out. Any suggestions appreciated.
I don't buy Shmetz needles, too expensive. I buy Organ needles in bulk, and use the same needles for embroidery and regular sewing. The same basic rule applies for sewing or embroidery - sharp needle for wovens, ball point for knits. I use a size 11 for most sewing/embroidery, a larger needle for heavier sewing, a size 14 for most quilting and a smaller size 9 needle for embroidering with finer 60wt thread.
Cari