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KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
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REPLACING THE NEEDLE
This section provides information on sewing machine needles.
Needle precautions
Be sure to observe the following precautions concerning the handling of the needle. Failure to observe these
precautions is extremely dangerous. Be sure to read and carefully follow the instructions below.
Needle types and their uses
The sewing machine needle that should be used depends on the fabric and thread thickness. Refer to the
following table when choosing the thread and needle appropriate for the fabric that you wish to sew.
Note
● Never use a thread of weight 20 or lower. It may cause malfunctions.
Memo
● The smaller the thread number, the thicker the thread; and the larger the needle number, the thicker the
needle.
● Only use home sewing machine needles. Use of any other needle may bend the needle or damage the
machine.
● Never use bent needles. Bent needles can easily break, possibly resulting in injury.
Fabric Type/Application
Thread
Size of Needle
Type Size
Medium weight
fabrics
Broadcloth Cotton thread
60–90
75/11–90/14Taffeta Synthetic thread
Flannel, Gabardine Silk thread 50
Thin fabrics
Lawn Cotton thread
60–90
65/9–75/11Georgette Synthetic thread
Challis, Satin Silk thread 50
Thick fabrics
Denim Cotton thread
30 100/16
50
90/14–100/16
Corduroy Synthetic thread
50–60
Tweed Silk thread
Stretch fabrics
Jersey
Thread for knits 50–60
Ball point needle
75/11–90/14
(gold colored)
Tricot
Easily frayed fabrics
Cotton thread
50–90
65/9–90/14Synthetic thread
Silk thread 50
For top-stitching
Synthetic thread
Silk thread
30 100/16
50–60 75/11–90/14
CAUTION