Type of Sewing machine needle
 

I have been asked to sew some articles using the indoor/outdoor material.
I'm going to have to line it with cotton as its translucent.
I believe its basically woven plastic.
Anyone have some advise which type of needle to use?

Are you talking about shade cloth? Because I need to make some "curtains" of a sort out of that, and was also wondering what needle to use, and what kind of thread. Polyester, I'm sure, but regular or a heavyweight? Eagerly awaiting info!

In "Quilts and More", fall 2010, was an article on sewing tote bags out of pet food bags. That article called for a size 75/11 sewing machine needle, using clothespins or tape instead of straight pins. No mention of thread, but I'd use the UV resistant, Coats & Clark outdoor thread from WalMart. The Sailrite site has excellent tutorials, videos, etc. on sewing outdoor fabric, even sells the fabric.

When I have sewn heavy outdoor fabric, I used with a jean needle size 16.

Jeans or leather needle and they have thread for outdoor material, it holds up better.

You should be able to use a 16 or an 18 size needle. If your thread is too big for the hole it will shread.