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Originally Posted by DogHouseMom
Yes, there is the "between each project" but one can go from a table runner to a king size quilt ... and a lot also depends on the type of piecing you are doing - little pieces (lots of seams), but pieces, paper piecing??
Other teachers will tell you after X hours of sewing, but of course the rules above will still differ to a degree what can be done in X hours. And the type of fabric, I think batiks are rougher on needles than a more open woven fabric. I'm not sure if heavy starch makes any difference or not - I guess it's possible. So instead of counting hours and taking all of the variables into consideration .... ... I use my ear. I can hear the different sound an old needle makes as it pierces the fabric (soft thunk or pop) compared to a new needle (no sound or a very soft pfft). This is what I do too. I can hear the soft little pop when the needle is getting dull. Then I change it. |
When I hear a "popping" sound when the needle enters the fabric, I know it's getting dull. I change it.
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That popping sound warns me too that it is time to change the needle. There is a definite change in sound when it's becoming dull.
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Every time I start a new project
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Go to www.schmetzneedles.com and look under Learning Center. There is a lot of excellent info about sewing needles. Also, a video showing how needles are made is very interesting.
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I change mine before I start a new project then again before I quilt the project. You really should change your needle after 8-10 hours of sewing.
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When they appear dull.
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Depends what I'm making. Maybe every two big projects.
But if I will change my needle immediately after sewing micro-fleece because the needles gets so dull. A good indication that the needle needs to be changed is when the thread starts to break or nest for no apparent reason. I so use leaders and enders when sewing. |
Hi,
My Babylock dealer told us to change our needle every 8 hours of sewing, or at the start of a new project, use your good judgement. But, don't wait until it breaks or bends etc.! I know with my embroidery I can tell when I need a new needle, my thread starts breaking, change the needle, problem solved. Needles are cheap, machines and our fabrics are not..... Bev |
new project, needles aren't that expensive
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