Now I am going to sound really dumb, and I am asking a really dumb question, but why is this such a big deal? I have sewed garments for many many years, and except for the right size needle for the fabric I am using, I've never given much thought to thread size/type versus needle size, or how long the needle has been used. I usually use a needle until it breaks. Maybe I've just been lucky, but it has never seemed to be a problem for me. Explanation, please.

You need different size needles for different fabrics.

I was sewing a purse handle the other day and kept getting skipped stitches. Re-threaded the machine several times including the bobbin. Cleaned really good. Then finally read the manual for troubleshooting. My needle wasn't big enough and once I put a larger needle in, my machine sewed perfectly.

The manual that comes with your machine should have a reference list for matching fabric with needles. If you don't have a manual, look online, there are lots of free manuals online.

I know why you use different size needles, I just wonder why you all seem to think you have to use new needles
so often . I've heard comments like I change needles with every new project I start. Seems like a waste to me, especially if you are using the same fabrics. I don't mean changing when you get a burr or bent, etc. I mean just changing so often when there doesn'T seem to be anything wrong with the needle that is in there.

Because they get dull. They get dull a lot faster than you would think too.

But if they are going in and out of the fabric, and the holes aren'T showing, and it isn't breaking fabric threads while doing so, then I can't see where the needle is too dull . So aren"t you just doing something because someone tells you it needs to be done? I"d like a really good reason, an example.

I do the same thing, except my pincushion is flower-shaped. Great minds, I guess! :wink:

To keep track of which needle is in my machine, I use a small loop of (non-residual) tape on the back of the needle pack and stick it onto the front my machine.

I like to keep track of my needles because I like to use the right needle
for the job. It makes a big difference. As to changing needles, I change
whenever I feel like but not too often...depending how much I've been
sewing and what I've been sewing. Fleece will make your needle dull
very quickly. But to each his/her own, I guess. :)

Here's a neat machine needle organizer for those interested.
I think I should make one of those for myself. :D
http://site.iwebcenters.com/bluefeat...tMainPhoto.jpg

I don't use a new needle each time. I'd never be able to keep track because I have more than one project going at a time, usually. The pincushion works great because I can just put the needle back in it when I take it out of my machine. If I think it's getting near the end of its life I'll put is down toward the middle of the pincushion and use it for less critical projects.