If a Needle falls out ...
 

On Friday (yes, 3 days ago) I bought a 4 pk of size 16 Singer needles at Joann. I was desperate as I couldn't find the Janome branded ones I bought a few weeks ago. I hate when I lose stuff !!

The Singer ones say "universal" and have a flat side and round side, and said compatible with most machines including Kenmore (which is Janome, essentially).

Three of the four have either broken or fallen out of the machine. Since Friday! I've been doing both FMQ and walking foot straight stitching. I went over too thick of a seam while FMQ, so the breakage was merited. However, to have two fall out? I assume from vibration but other needles haven't done this. WHat's the cause of needles just falling out when I put them in all the way to the top and tighten the screw?

If a needle falls out, I assume it's useless, right? Damaged ever so slightfly even if I can't see damage? I've thrown them away. I have one left. And I'm holding my breath because I'm under a tight deadline.

Are you tightening the screw only by hand? Is the needle in correctly? Is it pushed all the way up? Assume you already checked all of these, but when frustration kicks in.....

Try this trick. Unscrew the needle clamp almost all the way. Screw it back in. Now loosen it again and insert the needle. Metal burrs can develop on the screw keeping it from going in all the way.

Yes, the vibration could be to blame, on my big machine, the presser foot screw needs to be periodically retightened if the walking foot is on. Or sometimes if I have the pedal to the metal.

And, yes, the needle clamp assembly may need to be replaced; parts have been known to wear out.

If you didn’t hit anything and needle still is straight, you should be able to put it back in. After all, if you forgot to tighten the screw and it fell out, not while sewing, you wouldn’t toss it, would you?

Janomes don’t like strange needles. Mine only likes Organ needles, so I buy them 100 at a time. It might be worth a treasure hunt in your sewing room.

Some of the needles are not long enough. I have to be careful in buying mine, and I have machines from an old treadle to the sitdown Tiara. I have all mine labeled. Check it out.

Krisb, thanks for the tips. I'll try them.
I use Organ (bought the 100 pk a good while ago) but all I had was 90/14. Needed the 100/16 for quilting this twin size, and was plum out.

I just had it serviced in August, so I'm sur if the needle clamp assembly needed replacing, he would've done that. Needed a new bobbin case to the tune of $30 because I'd apparently nicked it and gave it a burr. Don't want to risk that again, especially since my SMG just went out of business (they had to close their quilt shop after 30 years ).

I'm curious because you mentioned Janome needles. I have a Janome machine that takes ROUND needles only. I can't use needles that have a flat side. So I'm wondering if that might be your issue?

I won't even use Singer needles at all even in my Singer machines. They haven't been any good for years. They're a lot of times a hair thinner than other needles, that's probably why they're falling out of your machine. I use Organ needles that I buy in bulk, or Schmetz if I'm in a pinch. BTW, That "Universal" label on them means the point style, not that they're universally for any machine. It means they're not quite sharp but not quite ball point either so in my eyes that makes them universally good for nothing.

Cari

Thank you for clearing up what "universal" means and your last line gave me a chuckle. It stands to reason that the "hair thinner" in size could be what's calling the needles to slip out . Aggravating! WHen this last one is gone, that's it. Back to Organ I go.

I am surprised that you go through so many needles in such a short time. I use Schmetz or Organ needles that I get from Superior Thread Company. Unless I inadvertently go over a pin I seldom have one break or get dull. I have gotten some of the new titanium coated needles and really like them. I am careful to use the right needle for the fabric and thread I am using. I keep needles that have been used in a tomato pin cushion that I have written needle sizes and types on. So that I know the size of needle in the machine I put a flower head pin in its place on the pin cushion. It is so important to use the right needle.

I only use Organ needles. I have had a few come loose or fall out, and figured I just had not inserted them fully up the shank of the machine or had not tightened the screw enough. I re-inserted the needle and re-tightened the screw and they worked fine. So I would not automatically assume a needle is defective or not usable without giving it another try. However the Organ needles do have one flat side, and don't think I have ever used one without a flat side. The only time I have ever broken a needle is either when I hit a pin or when I forgot to move the needle position after changing a foot and the needle hit either the pressure foot or the machine metal plate---oops!!!

I love Organ needles - look for them on Amazon. You can buy a box of 100 of them for around $10-12. I've done that three times now and have never found a bad one! I use them in my two modern Janomes as well as in all of my vintage machines (except for two that take different needle sizes). No problems.

Will your machine quilt with the size 14 needles? As long as you have some, I'd try. I use size 12 for everything except heavy fabrics. Sometimes I even hem jeans with a 12.

I use mostly 12's, too. For machine quilting, I've never used more than a 14 on my Bernina. I've never used Singer needles. I use Schmetz or Organ and have always had good luck with them. I have had a needle fall out, but it was usually because I hadn't tightened the thumb screw tight enough or due to a lot of vibration when doing a lot of sewing.

I should add I don't use universal needles at all anymore.

If the needles are that ill-fitting for your machine, you risk damaging your machine if one falls out, breaks, or gets stuck in the mechanism. It can nick the bobbin case and/or throw your machine's timing out of whack. Might be worth it to order online and pay for same-day shipping (for example, from Amazon).

Singer needles are smaller at the top than other needles. We use Schmetz on the machines we service.

I'm using the last of the 4-pack right now and it's doing a good job. However, I made a run to my LQS today for size 16 Superior needles. (Titanium. The ladies there said they are excellent needles and should last a good long time.)

I normally do use 14's, but I'm working with flannel at the moment. The Organ 14's were balking when I put the pedal to the metal.

Look at your needle bar to see if you bent it, this happened to me with using the walking foot and I had bent my needle bar and had to take the machine in for repair. If that is not the cause some machines will not use universal needles like HP printer only used HP ink.

I do not have anything to contribute other than to say that I sure have learned a lot from this thread. Thank you to all who contributed their knowledge!

This is a most interesting thread. I have a Brother NX 650-Q and have used mostly Schmetz and Organ needles. Both types have fallen out more times than I care to remember. It's usually because I've been driving full out (e.g., sewing strips) rather than when I'm creeping along trying to be sure to match seams or whatever. Disappointing that a machine that is designed to sew fast can't handle the speed.

I have always just plugged the needle back in and kept going. No problems.

If in a pinch again and go to Joann's, buy the Schmetz needles. I have a Janome and use those and have never had a problem with them. I agree with what several have said about Singer needles - not good.