quiltlady1941

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

caspharm

I agree. They are very helpful.

ThreadHead

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