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Fabric, Needle, Thread and Stitch Length Chart
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Your choice of needle and thread depends on the fabric you are
sewing.
In the needle envelope, you will find the following color-coded
needles:.
Blue (! 1) ......................... for stretch fabrics.
Orange (11) .................... for lightweight fabrics.
Red (14) .......................... for medium or medium-heavy weight
fabrics.
Purple (16) ...................... for medium-heavy weight fabrics and
decorative topstitching on these fabrics.
(This needle has a larger thread hole for
thicker topstitching thread.)
Green (18) ...................... for heavyweight fabrics and decorative
top-stitching on these fabrics.
Kenmore replacement needles are available at your nearest Sears
store.
• Check the Needle
1. Look for a barbed or blunt point.
2. A damaged needle can cause permanent snags or runs in knits,
fine silks and silk-like fabrics.
Always buy a good quality thread. It should resist tangling and be
strong, smooth and consistent in thickness.
FABRIC
Lightweight:
Batiste, Dimity, Chiffon,
Silks, Fine Lace, Organza,
Crepe, Taffeta, Voile,
Organdy
Medium Weight:
Cotton, Cotton Blend,
Percale, Gingham,
Shantung, Pique,
Seersucker Satin, Knit,
Suitings, Linen,
Wool Crepe,Leather
Medium Heavyweight:
Corduroy, Denim, Wool,
Sailcloth, Wool Flannel,
Gabardine, Velvet,
Leather
Heavyweight:
Coating, Upholstery
Cotton Duck, Heavy
Twills, Canvas
Decorative top-stitching
on all types of fabric
Stretch Fabric:
Polyester Double Knit,
Nylon Tricot, Jersey,
Stretch Terry, Spandex,
Cire Tricot
NEEDLE
SIZE AND
COLOR
11-ORANGE
14-RED
14-RED
or
16-PURPLE
18-GREEN
!6-PURPLE
18-GREEN
11-BLUE
(STRETCH
FABRIC
NEEDLE)
THREAD SIZE
Polyester Core/Cotton
Wrap
Fine Mercerized Cotton
Silk A
50 Mercerized Cotton
Polyester Core/Cotton
Wrap
Silk A
50 Mercerized Cotton
Mercerized Heavy-duty
Polyester Core/Cotton
Wrap
Silk A
Heavy-duty Mercerized
Cotton
Polyester Core/Cotton
Wrap
Silk A
Buttonhole Twist
(Use as top thread only)
Polyester Core/Cotton
Wrap
50 Mercerized Cotton
RECOMMENDED
STITCH LENGTH
SETTING
2
(12 stitches per
rich)
2-2.5
(10 12 stitches
per inch)
2-3
(8-10 stitches
per inch)
3
(8 stitches per
inch)
3-4
(6-8 stitches
per inch)
2-2.5
(10-12 stitches
per inch)
12