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quiltlady1941 10-28-2017 10:34 AM

needle size?? help please
 
I am not sure what the numbers on a machine needle stand for, I know they are the size of the needle, I was told to use a larger needle on my Brother VQ2400 as I was breaking thread and a lot of skipped stitches when FMQ..

What is the number of a larger needle? Is there a chart that would tell you what needle to use when called for a large needle.

Also can someone explain how the numbers work on a needle and what the numbers stand for, like a needle that said 90/14, 75/11, 80/12, etc; what does the top number stand for and what does the bottom number stand for?When the top number is larger does that determine the size of the needle? So if it said 90/14 and 100/14 the 100 would be the bigger needle?

I really would like to know what the difference a universal 90/14 or a stretch 90/14 or a embroidery 90/14 are they all the same? I tried looking at each needle with this number and they all look pretty much the same. I am really mixed up on this needle size thing, any help would be great, Thanks

Jane Quilter 10-28-2017 10:41 AM

what it means:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/101331060340691989/

what to use:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/Ad2M7A...q6QQ1rViPI3b8/

More info:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/516154807266438701/

QuiltE 10-28-2017 11:26 AM


Originally Posted by quiltlady1941 (Post 7933533)
..........what the numbers stand for, like a needle that said 90/14, 75/11, 80/12, etc; what does the top number stand for and what does the bottom number stand for?............

To clarify ... the two numbers stand for the same info, just different systems.
So they are giving you the same info.
The confusion comes because the larger numbers get smaller, as the needle gets larger!
Whereas the smaller numbers get bigger, as the needle gets bigger.


Originally Posted by quiltlady1941 (Post 7933533)
........... So if it said 90/14 and 100/14 the 100 would be the bigger needle?.........

Actually no .... the numbers will always be consistent.
Eg. 90/14 and you will never see 100/14.
The 100 will always be matched with 16, eg. 100/16.

Take a look here on the Schmetz site.
There are a lot of links with a lot of info about needles ...
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/all-about-needles/

quiltlady1941 10-28-2017 11:33 AM

Thank you Jane Quilter and QuiltE, both of these charts are perfect and I printed them off.. the Schmetz needle one was great as it gave you a solution for all kinds of things that can go wrong and what to do.. That you so much!!!

bearisgray 10-28-2017 12:28 PM

Sewing machine needles (at least the ones I know about, anyway) the bigger the number, the larger/thicker/stronger the needle. The needle length stays the same for each system.

Pay attention to the type of needle your machine will use.

It is worth reading the articles about machine needles.

Just to make things more interesting/confusing -

For needles for handsewing - the opposite is true. A #12 "between" needle is about 1-1/4 inches long and not much thicker than a hair and a #8 "between" needle is about 1-1/2 inches long and quite a bit thicker than the #12 "between."

The numbers of handsewing needles refer to the thickness of the needle - not the length of it.


I have no idea how the numbering systems came into being.

bearisgray 10-28-2017 12:33 PM

I try to use the thinnest needle (lowest number) for piecing "regular " quilting cottons that I can. I consider an 80/12 to be my "go to" size needle for most of my sewing.

However, when sewing heavy denim, a jeans/denim needle is a must if one wants to avoid a lot of broken and/or bent needles.

ckcowl 10-28-2017 02:52 PM

Visit Superior Threads website. They have free downloadable charts that explain needles and threads. They are a great resource and can really help you figure out all those differences.

Davena 10-30-2017 07:02 AM

I found this interesting. https://www.superiorthreads.com/vide...edles-part-one

caspharm 10-30-2017 08:16 AM


Originally Posted by ckcowl (Post 7933668)
Visit Superior Threads website. They have free downloadable charts that explain needles and threads. They are a great resource and can really help you figure out all those differences.

I agree. They are very helpful.

ThreadHead 10-30-2017 02:11 PM

1 Attachment(s)

Originally Posted by quiltlady1941 (Post 7933533)
I am not sure what the numbers on a machine needle stand for, I know they are the size of the needle, I was told to use a larger needle on my Brother VQ2400 as I was breaking thread and a lot of skipped stitches when FMQ..

What is the number of a larger needle? Is there a chart that would tell you what needle to use when called for a large needle.

Also can someone explain how the numbers work on a needle and what the numbers stand for, like a needle that said 90/14, 75/11, 80/12, etc; what does the top number stand for and what does the bottom number stand for?When the top number is larger does that determine the size of the needle? So if it said 90/14 and 100/14 the 100 would be the bigger needle?

I really would like to know what the difference a universal 90/14 or a stretch 90/14 or a embroidery 90/14 are they all the same? I tried looking at each needle with this number and they all look pretty much the same. I am really mixed up on this needle size thing, any help would be great, Thanks

Just in case you're interested. The smaller the number use for finer material, heavy material requires larger needle.


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