A sewing machine needle is, in one way or the other is one of the most important parts of your machine. After all, it’s the only part that actually touches your fabric.
Although changing the needle on a sewing machine is simple and easy, it’s also one of the most important sewing tips to learn. The needle is what pierces your fabric and transfers the pressure of your presser foot to the teeth that grab and feed the fabric through the machine.
Continue reading this guide for easy instructions to help you change your singer sewing machine needle properly.
When to Change a Needle on Your Singer Sewing Machine
Whether you’re using a Singer sewing machine or another brand, it’s important to know how often you should be changing your needle.
Needles are not meant to be used forever. They will dull and wear out over time. Sometimes they might even break while in use. There are many indications that your Singer sewing machine needle needs to be replaced.
- Needles get dull from sewing through multiple layers of fabric.
- If you notice that your thread keeps breaking, or you have to force the machine to sew, then it’s time for a new needle.
- Needles can also get bent from accidentally hitting the machine’s metal parts. If the needle bends when sewing, stop immediately and check for damage.
- When you begin a new project, put in a new needle. This will help prevent skipped stitches and other problems that can be caused by a worn-out needle.
- Another indication of when to change a sewing machine needle is if you have skipped stitches. The first thing you should do is check the tension on your machine. If that doesn’t solve the problem, try changing the needle.
How to Choose the Right Sewing Machine Needle
There are different types of needles for different applications such as Embroidery needles, Metallic Thread needles, Quilting needles, and even Top Stitching needles. You need to consider what you are sewing on and what stitch length or density you will be stitching at to determine what type of sewing machine needle to use on your project.
The type of fabric you want to sew is one of the important factors when choosing a sewing machine needle. As a general rule, the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size. The heavier the fabric the larger the needle size.
This is why it is important to determine what type of fabric you are going to sew before selecting the needle for your project.
For example, if you are going to sew lightweight silk, like batiste or voile, start with 60/8 or 65/9 sewing machine needles.
If you are going to sew medium-weight cotton start with an 80/12 or 90/14 sewing machine needle.
If you are going to sew heavy-weight fabric like denim and canvas start with a 100/16 or 110/18 sewing machine needle.
How to Replace Needle on Singer Sewing Machine
Here are the steps on how to replace a needle on a sewing machine:
Step 1. Turn your machine off and unplug it from the power outlet. Remove the presser foot by loosening the screw that holds it in place.
Step 2. Raise the needle bar by turning the handwheel towards you so that the needle is at its highest position.
Step 3. Loosen the needle clamp screw with a screwdriver and remove the old needle by pulling it out of the clamp.
Step 4. Insert the new needle with its flat side towards the back of your machine. Make sure your new needle is facing the same direction as your old one and insert it into the clamp with the flat side facing towards you.
Step 5. Tighten the needle clamp screw until finger tight, then tighten it just a little bit more using your screwdriver.
Step 6. Put the presser foot back on and tighten its set screw securely with your screwdriver or Allen wrench (whichever fits).
How to Change Needle on Singer Heavy Duty Sewing Machine (Video Tutorial)
Frequently Asked Questions
Do any needles fit all sewing machines?
The answer is no, They don’t. there are many different kinds of sewing machines and each one has its own needles. They differ in length, diameter, and type of point at the tip. Each type of needle is designed for a specific kind of fabric. If you use the wrong needle, you will break it or damage your machine. For example, if you use a very large needle on a very small machine, it could damage the threading mechanism or even break the needle.
What is a 90 14 needle used for?
A 90/14 needle is a medium-weight needle. It is used primarily for sewing on medium-weight fabrics such as cotton, polyester, linen, and lightweight upholstery fabric. The needle has a medium ballpoint so as not to damage the fabric when sewing.
What is the best sewing machine needle for cotton?
For common projects, you will be working with a medium-weight fabric like cotton. When you sew with cotton, you will want to use a Universal 80/11 sized needle. These needles are the best choice when sewing with woven fabrics like cotton.
Final Words
Remember, sewing can be a fun and rewarding hobby that helps to develop your creativity. It also creates lasting memories and keepsakes, which is why it’s essential to have the right tools. Understanding how to change a needle on a sewing machine ensures that your project will go as smoothly as possible.
