I'm wondering...

Do ball point needles ever go dull?
I've been using one for quite some time now and it's still doing a wonderful job going thru the fabric for the donation blankets.

So would it get rounder? Or more pointed? I think this is a great question and one I've never seen addressed!

All needles get dull after a while. The constant motion in and out of the fabric will cause friction and wear on the needle.

I guess all needles would go dull after a while but aren't they dull already.

That's what I was thinking too, they technically are already dull-ish.

I think it was a good question. I've never used any. And, I only know the usual and normal stuff. I need a course in what kind of fabric and needles go together and details like that. Maybe a couple more ounces of smarts to put it all together !

Can't help ya on the answer, but good to see you posting again!
HUGS!

wow! that really is a good question. a genuine head-scratcher. right up there with "if a tree falls in the woods and there's nobody there to hear it ... does it make a noise?"

and ... if it does get "dull" ... does that make it better? or worse?

i'm so glad i don't have any ballpoint needles. i'd end up spending my day playing with it to find out.

i've recently noticed that by the time my pointy needles need a change they've not only become dull, they've become ever-so-slightly crooked. i can't see it, but it's just enough to take the needle's eye out of line with my auto-threader. i was beginning to think my threader had stopped working and was really irritated about it because my machine is only a few months old. then i stuck in a new needle and it worked perfectly again.

my point being (sorry ... couldn't resist the pun) that you might want to watch for other types of needle wear - not only whether or not the tip is still permorming the way it's supposed to.

Good question! Don't know the answer..but isn't the ball point needle more for sewing with knits? I am not so sure i would use it for piecing or quilting..

You working on knits? That is what you use a ball point for right? Hummm have to ponder on that one LOL

I use a ball point needle when doing machine embroidery on sweatshirts and t-shirts. I don't know if they get "dull" but after a couple of projects, the thread will start to "shred" -- a good sign that I need to change needles :lol:

Ball Point needles were designed to be used on knit fabrics. If you are piecing with a non-knitted cotton, I would recommend you use a different needle. I have seen people who will not change a needle until it breaks, or becomes so bent that it cannot be used. Needles are one of the most important parts of piecing quilt, and I want to get the best result I can........so I change my needles after about 8 hours of sewing - 3-4 hours of embroidery work. You can buy good universal needles in bulk ( I got 100 for about $35.00 from my Viking Dealer).....Hope this helps.

Good question, guess I never that of that.

Go to www.FaveCrafts.com. They have a downloadable booklet of Sewing for Beginners and it has lots of information about needles, etc. Have fun and it is free. They have pateerns, crafts, knitting, crocheting, etc. you name it . ALL FREE http://www.favecrafts.com/master_ima...ners-eBook.pdf

I was born way before you and used to wear a lot of that ugly polyester....ok, don't go there, it was the style! I sewed most that I wore. I would end up breaking the ball needle before it ever got to not going through the poly. I'm sure it shredded thread and I'd change it for sure, but I remember them lasting a lot longer than my sharps do. I don't break as many now, but every once in awhile I forget to let the machine pull the fabric and I'll pop one.

Give those girls a hug from and Aunt Sharon and tell them to give you two each. Hugs

Never thought about it... is this a trick question? LOL... but I think that they probably do...or get bent. Ialways change needles frequently... no matter what. :shock:

Two good things about our poly in those days, it never faded and it wasn't linty, other wise, glad those days are yesteryear.

Go to www.FaveCrafts.com. They have a downloadable booklet of Sewing for Beginners and it has lots of information about needles, etc. Have fun and it is free. They have pateerns, crafts, knitting, crocheting, etc. you name it . ALL FREE http://www.favecrafts.com/master_ima...ners-eBook.pdf

When used to long, the ball can come off a ball point needle. That can cause real problems with the way your machine sews. I was told by several different people that you should change your needle with each project. They said it was like pounding a well with a dull point. Your machine has to work harder and harder to drive the needle through the fabric. Eventually it will cause parts of your machine to wear out. I figure a new needle is a whole lot less expensive than a new part for my machine.

your right Honey, i change my needle after every project too..

they can get scratched and cause pulls.

Yes, needles get dull or slightly bent. The first thing to do if your stitching isn't right is to check your threading on your machine and then to change your needle. If the thread is fraying, perhaps your needle isn't inserted in it's position perfectly or you need a larger needle size. I remember when I first got my sewing machine, the dealer told me to change my needle after 3 hours of sewing with it. Also, if when sewing you start to hear sort of a "plunking" noise instead of no noise, that's another indication you need a new needle.

Lots of good information here. Thanks for the website link!

Good answers!!! I will indeed make sure to check for drag, bending etc.
Mimisharon knows what all the poly/dbl.knit sewing is all about. Yes, I'm still working on those blankets. My time schedule got away from me due to some illness and a stay in the hospital.

So far, I've done several blankets 30 , 9 patches each (15 front 15 back) all of poly/dbl knit and no problems with the needle (now knocking on wood). Thanks for the web site, I'll check that out. Not a beginner sewer/seamstress, still kinda a newbie quilter though. But, there's always something new to learn while reading, even if it's a refresher.

Terri, nice being able to post every now and again too!! I sure missed everyone!

superior threads web site link below has alot of information on needles and thread

http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle

I use the ball point Stretch needles for free motion on quilts (woven fabrics & cotton batting), because of the longer scarf (sp?) the thread lies better & prevents loopies & broken threads. It does a fantastic job & stays sharp, or should that be dull & round?-LOL, for hours of free motion.

I would send a question like that to www.schmetz.com and see what they have to say about it. They have lots of good info on their website about the different machine needles and what they are used for. They may respond with a good answer that you can share with all of us.

I have used ball piont needles for years, use to use them lots when sewing garments years ago. My Juki calls for only organ needles and that is all I use. I have other machines I can use them on, but, don't use those machines. I change needles more now then I did now. Maybe cotton is harder on needles or quality of needles different?

Don't ever think a question is silly if we can learn from the answers. Yes, ball point needles will and do become dull. They are made for knit fabrics so a hole isn't made piercing the fabric the needle moves between the weave of the fabric. I would not recommend using them for cotton fabric as they will make holes in the fabric because the tip has too round of a point, and the cotton fabrics have a tighter weave. Hope this helps?

Suzy

I think there are too many needles and we don't need most of them. I use 90/14 for heavier fabric and 80/12 for everything else, unless I'm using metallic thread and then I use a metallic needle.

I change my needle if it gets bent. Just lay it on the flat part of the top of your machine, if it isn't straight, toss it.

I change my needle when I hear a "thwacking" sound when I sew. If it's "thwacking" it's no longer sharp enough for sewing so time to change it.

When you are quilting, batting can really dull a needle so listen for that "thwacking" sound.

I've never used a ball point needle, even when I've sewed on knits, and I've never had a problem. I use twin needles on my knits a lot, I love twin needles.

My machine came with organ needles but I really never knew whether organ is a brand or a type. Can you help with that?

organ is a brand

Hello a question is never silly, dumb, or stupid, until you want to know the answer and don't ask, so keep asking question i learn a lot from other people question lol :-P

I am embroidering on satin and certain pieces have "run" or "pulled". I was just told to try the ball point needle on that but now am wondering if it will make a hole in the satin.

I have never used them.

you could try sharpening it on a piece of emery board to get a little more use out of it. I think they don't exactly get more round,... but maybe more blunt, and tend to break the fibers when they go into the fabric.

I really like this website. Seems like I learn something new almost every time I go on. And I've been sewing for over 50 years.

Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner. I would try the micro tec needle maybe a size 60 or 70. they have a sharp point but are very slim and nice for many different fabrics such as satin. I use them for piecing in quilting and such but when they are in the machine and I need to do other sewing I've used them with no problems. Make very nice seams. Schmetz makes them. good Luck

Suzy

Yes needles do get dull. You can damage your fabric when you try to sew with a dull needle. Ball points are for knits. Get some universal needles they work really well for cottons. The needle should be changed every 6-8 hours of sewing or even sooner if your thread is shredding or breaking then you really need a new needle. If you are using decorative thread then you should use a large eye needle for ex: 14/90