A rather silly question...
02-02-2010, 04:25 PM
#31
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Yakima, WA
Posts: 2,439
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.
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.
02-02-2010, 10:58 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 786
Originally Posted by Suzy
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
Suzy
02-03-2010, 08:42 AM
#36
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Home town: Rehoboth, MA Now living in OK
Posts: 7,774
Originally Posted by jbsstrawberry
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.
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.
02-03-2010, 08:45 AM
#37
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Colorado
Posts: 879
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.
02-04-2010, 05:08 PM
#39
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 291
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
Suzy
02-04-2010, 05:30 PM
#40
Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Andover
Posts: 32
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
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Favorite Fabrics
Main
22
01-01-2011 09:57 AM
Sharon - NC
Main
175
05-30-2010 10:19 AM
butterflywing
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
7
10-19-2009 09:55 AM
