Embroidery machines can be fun and practical, but they can also be frustrating if you’ve never used one. It all starts with choosing the right needle. You can stay productive and enjoy fantastic results with the proper size and type of machine embroidery needles.
Best Needles for Machine Embroidery
When selecting a needle for your project, you have a couple of options: universal sewing needles and machine embroidery needles. Universal needles are exactly what they sound like—a type of needle you can use for almost any sewing project. Embroidery needles, on the other hand, work specifically for embroidery.
You may wonder, “Can I use universal needles for embroidery?” The answer is yes; however, you risk fraying, snapping, and breaking the embroidery thread. It would be best to use specially designed needles for machine embroidery to ensure the job gets done correctly.
Types of Embroidery Machine Needles
Embroidery machine needles fall into two categories: round point (or sharp) and ballpoint. You can use round points for most embroidery projects. However, we recommend using a ballpoint needle for materials like hand-knitted fabric and microfiber performance wear.
Within these two categories are several different types of needle materials, such as:
- The most common needle material is chrome-plated steel. If you buy a pack of generic sewing needles, chances are they’re chrome.
- Titanium-plated needles are of higher quality and a step up from chrome-plated needles. You can expect these metallic needles to last longer and not warp or break as easily.
- If you’re looking for maximum strength and durability, titanium needles are your go-to option. Pick up a package the next time you shop for Schmetz or Organ embroidery needles!
Sizes of Embroidery Machine Needles
As with material and use, machine embroidery needles vary according to size. Below, you’ll find the three most popular needle sizes for home embroidery machines. Please note that these are for home machines, not multi-needle or commercial embroidery machines:
- 75/11: A 75/11 needle works well for finer woven fabric and knitted material. You’ll want this needle on hand for a standard embroidery project.
- 80/12: If you’re dealing with quilting cotton or linen, consider using an 80/12 needle. These work great for medium-weight fabric that a 75/11 might struggle with.
- 90/14: The largest of these standard embroidery needles is 90/14. This needle type is your best bet when embroidering heavy fabric like felt or denim.
Get Top-quality, Personalized Embroidery Designs with Affordable Digitizing
Whether you embroider as a hobby or a professional occupation, you’ll want to use the right equipment. Machine embroidery needles come in various sizes and materials designed for specific projects. Choosing the correct one could be the difference between a sensational design and a waste of time and thread.
Are you looking for your own amazing embroidery design? At Affordable Digitizing, we offer top-quality vectorizing and digitizing services to bring your embroidery ideas to life. Call us at (239) 910-8021 to learn more and get started on your project today!