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.
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.
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:
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:
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!