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I change it when I feel like it needs it. Like my rotary cutter. If it sticks or skips, then I change. When I feel the point is rounded off or it is slightly bent then I will change it.
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Oh oh confession time--I change it when I remember --sometimes the needle starts to "pop" when it goes through the fabric--thats when I go oops! didn't change the needle for a while.
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Originally Posted by sewwhat85
when it breaks or i can hear it popping through fabric
angela |
Originally Posted by dewie45
I have to smile when people talk about changing needles. I think I probably change more often than necessary, but it can avert a lot of problems. The local repairman is also a friend and he always puts a new needle in when he works on a machine. It adds 60 cents to the bill. One lady demanded to know why he put in a new needle when she had not authorized it. She told him that there was nothing wrong with the needle that in it and anytime it was little dull her husband would sharpen it for her. She had been using the same one for 20 years. He put the old needle back in and removed the 60 cents. Don't know how many more times it could be sharpened since the tip was nearly up to the eye.:)
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Originally Posted by angelarose
Originally Posted by dewie45
I have to smile when people talk about changing needles. I think I probably change more often than necessary, but it can avert a lot of problems. The local repairman is also a friend and he always puts a new needle in when he works on a machine. It adds 60 cents to the bill. One lady demanded to know why he put in a new needle when she had not authorized it. She told him that there was nothing wrong with the needle that in it and anytime it was little dull her husband would sharpen it for her. She had been using the same one for 20 years. He put the old needle back in and removed the 60 cents. Don't know how many more times it could be sharpened since the tip was nearly up to the eye.:)
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I change mine with every major project. If I am making baby size quilts I might do 2 before I change it. The point/sharpness wears and it is really important to have a clean stab into the fabric layers.
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When I start a new project, I wind two bobbins. When the second bobbin is gone I change the needle and clean and oil my machine. I bought my Singer 401A in 1957. I was a seamstress for 25 years, used her daily. She still purrs like she is bran new,she has never missed a stitch. Needless to say I love her and take care of her.
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Originally Posted by dewie45
One lady demanded to know why he put in a new needle when she had not authorized it. She told him that there was nothing wrong with the needle that in it and anytime it was little dull her husband would sharpen it for her. She had been using the same one for 20 years. He put the old needle back in and removed the 60 cents. Don't know how many more times it could be sharpened since the tip was nearly up to the eye.:)
8-) I started using the titanium coated needles and they last 5x or more then the regular needles. They cost a little more but end up saving me money. The one I put in months ago for piecing still sews like new. |
Originally Posted by quilterlois
When I start a new project, I wind two bobbins. When the second bobbin is gone I change the needle and clean and oil my machine. I bought my Singer 401A in 1957. I was a seamstress for 25 years, used her daily. She still purrs like she is bran new,she has never missed a stitch. Needless to say I love her and take care of her.
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Originally Posted by plainjane
Originally Posted by sewwhat85
when it breaks or i can hear it popping through fabric
I plan to be kinder to my machines in 2011! |
Renda, I usually change my needle whenever I start a large project, BUT I've discovered Titanium needles & they easily last 5 times longer than a regular needle. I LOVE them & they're certainly worth the price difference. I also do machine embroidery, which is how I discovered them & now I like to use them whenever I can. With regular needles, you know when to change them if you start getting puckers or other issues.
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Originally Posted by IBQLTN
Originally Posted by plainjane
Originally Posted by sewwhat85
when it breaks or i can hear it popping through fabric
I plan to be kinder to my machines in 2011! BTW-the machine really didn't act up so much as it was the threading that was a bear-new Babylock :) :) a few years ago. |
Originally Posted by MadQuilter
I can tell the difference in sound on the machine when the needle gets dull (I just heard that sound again). So time to change the needle.
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When it breaks or catches on the material.
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Originally Posted by littlehud
When I feel I really need to, which is not often enough. :-D
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I tend to bend my needles so That is when I change them. Jan
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So...I'm not sure if this is what you mean by "popping through the fabric", but my machine makes a loud thunk noise when the needle goes down and the bobbin swings...i would think that would be far too loud to be the fabric giving, but I also don't remember my machine always having made that noise. Is it because I need to change my needle?
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Originally Posted by renda
Is there some rule regarding this?
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I have to chuckle, some of us are BAD, lol However I learned something here. I do not change it often enough. Always wonderdered what tha tping noise was :) :) :)
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your supposed to change one before it breaks??? :shock:
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Originally Posted by amma
Like my rotary blade, probably not often enough, until there is an obvious problem :roll: :D:D:D
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Yikes...up until now I never realized you had to unless it bends or breaks....
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Originally Posted by amma
Like my rotary blade, probably not often enough, until there is an obvious problem :roll: :D:D:D
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I only change mine when I am starting the quilting or when it starts to make the popping sound. Or I change it if I need a bigger eye for thicker thread.
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I only change mine if it breaks. Have been on the same needle for over a month now.
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I would rarely change my needle unless it made a thudding noise going thru the fabric or if my thread missed stitches. I hated buying needles, thought they were expensive. Recently I joined a needle co-op and got 50 sharps and 25 titanium sharps for aprox $15, now I change my needles more often and safe the used ones for stitching thru soda cans and heavy fabric postcards.
warm quilt hugs, sue in CA |
every big quilt i do....
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different needles for different fabric ? Yes ? No ? also, there is a sharpening pad for needles I found in a catalog and will try that before replacing.
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A loud thunk would certainly scare me. if that's a new sound, I would expect the timing has gotten out of whack & it's time for a professional servicing -- cleaning & adjustment. Just be careful to take it to someone who's factory-authorized, not just anyone advertising a good price.
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Tutty, Yes, different needles for different fabrics! Charts are available online to help you sort it out, if you can't find a reference in your sewing machine manual. Generally, size 16 is for jeans & some topstitching; size 14 is regular weight fabrics, size 12 is med-light-weight (cotton batiste, sheers, etc) & size 10 would be very fine fabrics. Then you have ball-points (in above sizes) for stretchy fabrics & a whole host of other specialty needles. For years I thought it didn't make a difference, but truly it DOES! Sometimes changing to the correct needle cures skipped stitches, puckering & all kinds of unprofessional results. The hole the needle makes while sewing needs to allow the thread to pass thru w/o being overly large.
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Originally Posted by sewwhat85
when it breaks or i can hear it popping through fabric
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Before I found my present needle, I changed after about 8 hours. Now I use the Superior Thread Company's titanium needle and they last they at least thru 2 quilts, sewing, quilting, and all. They are not that much more expensive than others, either. Here is the website to check out: http://www.superiorthreads.com/shop/...s/description/
I love them. |
I usually change mine when I start a new quilt
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Thank you so much I will change up my needles from now on and check into the ones for stretch, the ball point ! perhaps that is the problem I was having with a knit top I was making !! Have a great new year and sew sew sew !
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Originally Posted by renda
Is there some rule regarding this?
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Originally Posted by renda
Is there some rule regarding this?
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I watch for the Titanium needles to be on sale & order a bunch at a time, unless I'm just replacing ones I've run low on. Sometimes www.sewphisticatedstitcher.com , www.nancysnotions.com or www.sewforless.com runs specials. When you consider all the time, effort & money you put into a quilt, the cost of a needle is the least of them! I'm not sure I'd put much faith into needles sharpeners (pan or mechanism), as a lot of things go into the engineering of a good needle. Just toss it or use it for a bulletin board pin.
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don't ya just hate rules. I do it when I think I need to and I can tell ya it is not every 8 hours of sewing time.....
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The only rule I know of, is to dispose of them safely when you do change them. I put mine in an old pill bottle clearly marked "used sewing needles" so no one will be hurt by them. I leave the bottle in my sewing desk so it is always handy for use. (I can be lazy when sewing.)
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Yes, I also have an old film canister that I labeled for all worn or broken needles (hand or machine) into. I used a screw to put a hole in the top & never have to worry about them spilling out & they just pop right in. I mis-spelled pad earlier, saying i don't know if I'd trust a sharpening pad to put the edge back on a machine needle. I HAVE used scissors glide to clean a needle that had gotten gummed up w/ adhesive.
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