How do I know when I need to replace my sewing machine needle? I just started sewing/quilting about a month ago, but I have been doing a lot of sewing/quilting. It seems fine so far, but not sure how to know.

Thanks AGAIN for answering my many questions.

it is not how long you have had it in the machine, but how much time you have been sewing with it...

http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...roubleshot.htm



you will notice a difference when it gets dull.

i change mine after a quilt project. piecing and quilting..works for me.

i know that some say to change after 8 hours of sewing..

I change mine pretty often, as a matter of principal always before I start quilting because with quilting a dull needle is even less forgiving than with piecing. Usually I notice it while sewing, when the needle needs replacing because of a slight plopping sound when the needle goes through the fabric.

I change mine with each completed project. It is so easy and that way I never have problems.

This. And my Home Ec teacher gave me great advice, years ago. Don't change the needle at the end of a project, just take it out. That way when you sit down to a new project you don't have to try and remember if you've changed the needle yet. You know you haven't yet if there's no needle in the machine. Put the new one in and you're ready to go!

I put in a new needles every time I start a new project and when I start to quilt.

the normal recommendation is:
with every new project -- OR--
after every 8 hours of sewing time.

a dull needle causes uneven and skipped stitches... if you are having either of these problems it is over due time for a needle change.

When your needle gets dull, you will notice that the stitches make a soft "pop" sound when the needle pierces the fabric. I like to change my needles often, but sometimes I get into "sew mode" for hours and I forget. That little pop sound reminds me.

I agree with the Casual quilter. You can hear the pop,pop, and you know ou should have changed the needle. I don't change when I start a new project. I use the titanium needles and they do last longer.

What a good question, I remember going to my very first Workshop, at Loch Lomond quilt show, and the teacher asked us when we changed our needle, answer - when it broke, what needle did we use - answer anyone that fits!

She then gave us a lesson on the importance of good needles, and how bad ones can ruin your machine, since then I change mine frequently, I buy them by the 100.

A good guide is approximately 8 hours sewing or 10 bobbin refills, but I do as the other ladies when I start a new project.

I am guilty of not changing my needle often enough. I know that I definitely do not change it every 8 hours. I change it when it I think it is dull.

That makes 2 of us. I change mine when it breaks..lol

yeah, I am in the thick of this as well, I get on a roll and just keep on going - like that Energizer Bunny only with OCK!

My machine lets me know. It just feels different - not as sharp, or it misbehaves other ways too. When I pay attention, I change the needle after a large project at the latest.

lolol...

good tip

I just did some research and finding some cool links for all of us:

1.

http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...roubleshot.htm

2. found these tips:

A good rule of thumb is to change with every project but I'm cheap and wait for these tell-tale signs:
1. A popping sound whenever the needle hits the fabric.
2. When bobbin thread tangles or skips a stitch.
3. When the stitches start to look uneven or pop up (just plain ugly).

3. lots of great information on this site
http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...chine-Needles/

WOW ! I knew about changing the needle , but I didn't know about the plastic bobbins. I'll have to inspect them before I do any more sewing.

Good advice! I'm going to start using that one!

Me too.

Me too--I seldom change a needle unless I've broken one. I also use the "popping sound" as an indicator.

changing needles I didn't realize that they do get dull. I kept hearing this Pop Pop when sewing but didn't realize it was the dull needle . so now I change for each new project if I have sewn for at east eight hours and dI do nt hear that pop sound.

Unless it is titanium, most people recommend after 8 hours of sewing it should be replaced. Titanium needles last about 5times longer.
A good rule of thumb is to know that it is already too late when you hear the popping sound as it goes into the fabric. Definitely change it then.

I listen to the sound as the needle passes thru the material. I change the needle when it sounds like the needle is punching it's way thru the material. Just a louder sound than usual.

Hi
When I purchased by Bernina 440 EQ last year, I was told by my dealer that you should change the needle after 8 hours of sewing. Not sure if this holds true for a long arm quilting machine.
NormaBeth

Like a few others have mentioned, I can hear when I need to change the needle and I'm guessing you'll get to that point as well. In case you aren't sure what to listen for, do a simple test. Put in a new needle and listen closely. Then, put in the old needle and see if you can hear the popping noise.

I also change the needle when I've spent a fair amount of time doing something like paper piecing.

I guess I should change my needle, I don't remember the last time I changed it.... oops :oops:

On the same subject, but a slightly different direction. I've learned when you have problems to first check if your needle is all the way up in the needle holder. If it loosens & slips just a bit, there will be issues.

I love this idea! I don't change my needle often enough for sure - and this would be a great way to force myself to do it! Thanks (and thanks to your HomeEc teacher too...too bad they don't still offer HomeEc classes!)

I'm not sure what other's do but my rule of thumb is to change the needle about every 8 hours of sewing time, unless it get's jammed and nicked or bent, change it immediately!

I clean out the bobbin area using a 3/4" paint bruh and give the machine a tiny drop of oil every time I change the bobbin. This helps prevent thread jams from the lint.

Seriously? Y'all change your needles that often? I've never heard of this rule! I never change my needles until one breaks --maybe every hundred or so sewing hours -- and I've never had a problem.

I don't do the actual quilting on my machine, I only put the pieces together, but I didn't know I was supposed to change the needle.

I'm learning a lot from you all.

Are you telling me that I should change it?
It's still working, and I'm sure, almost possitive that I changed it when my son left for the Navy when he was 18. His birthday was last month and he was...

Okay, it's time to change it. My 43 year old son gave me a gift certificate to Joann's.....................

Do any of you use the needle sharpners that I have seen in the quilting notion catalogs?

Me too. I have never heard a "pop" when piecing. I don't quilt on my DSM, but on my LA I use titanium needles that do tell me that the needle needs to be changed with a "pop". When I used cheaper needles on my LA I changed the needle with every new quilt on the frame, but with the titanium needles I was told that they would last much longer - like 4-6 quilts compared to 1 quilt. They seem to be as advertised!

I don't change mine until it breaks either! Of course, my reason is because I simply can't afford to. Heck, I've sewn for years with the same needle! If I knew how to do the embarrassed face, it would be right -----> here.

Go to Schmetz needles web site as well for info.
Matching the appropriate needle to yur project will also help in lengthening the life.

I recently read this as well, every 8 hours of sewing time.

Unless you keep track of hours of use, the best rule of thumb is a new needle for each new project. (Heard this from a Schmetz rep at a guild meeting once) The other hint is when you notice you're skipping stitches.
"When in doubt, swap it out!"

I change mine whenever I start a new project.

I watched a segment on Martha's Sewing Room with a Rep from Schmetz I think. He was saying our needles are the least expensive part of the sewing process! Buying in bulk I think they are much less than .75cents each! When you think about it, that's pretty true. A single spool of thread these days is spendy. Sooo... it makes it easier to justify.changi g needles more often realizing they really don't cost us a fortune!