Flat-Sided Shank Needles for home embroidery machines
Round Shank Needles for commercial / industrial embroidery machines
AllStitch Embroidery Supplies is proud to offer a wide selection of machine embroidery needles for both home and commercial embroidery machines. When it comes to creating excellent machine embroidery, using the right needles will make a world of difference in the quality and precision of your finished work.
Machine embroidery needles are specifically designed to meet the demands of high-speed embroidery machines, ensuring smooth, accurate and flawless stitching every time. Our needles are categorized as either Home Machine Needles, which have one flat side along the shank (the part that fits up into the machine) or Commercial/ Industrial Machine Needles, which has a shank that is round all the way around. Needles in each category available in various sizes and point types to accommodate different fabrics, thread weight, and embroidery techniques.
Understanding needle size and needle point type
Needles are organized by NEEDLE SIZE and POINT TYPE. For each embroidery project, you will need to choose a needle based on both factors. Refer to the guidelines below to help you understand needles and choose the correct needle for your work.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NEEDLE SIZE: Sizes are represented by two numbers separated by a slash, for example, 75/11, 80/12, etc. The larger number is the European (Metric) number and the smaller number is the American number. The smaller the numbers, the smaller the size of the needle. You should choose the size needle most appropriate for the weight, or thickness, of the thread.
- The most commonly used needle size for embroidery is 75/11 because the most common embroidery thread weight is #40.
- Heavier, thicker threads greater than #40 weight require a larger needle, both for ease in passing through the eye, and for creating the appropriate size penetration hole in the fabric.
- Finer threads thinner than #40 weight stitch best with a smaller needle for crisp, precise stitching.
- Pay close attention to the recommended needle size for each type of thread you are using.
- Using the wrong size needle can result in thread shredding or breaking.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR NEEDLE POINT TYPE: Needles vary according the type of piercing point that makes contact with the fabric. You should choose the point type (within the size range you need) according to the construction of the fabric you are stitching on (usually either a knit or a woven). For most projects, you will choose between a BALL POINT NEEDLE or a SHARP POINT NEEDLE.
- SHARP POINTS ARE FOR HEAVY WOVENS. Woven fabrics are constructed with various over-and-under basket-style patterns. Tight wovens like twill, denim, canvas, etc. are stable and sometimes tough, and are unharmed by needle penetration. They will require a sharp point needle to pierce the fabric and create crisp, even stitching.
- BALL POINTS ARE FOR ALL KNITS AND LIGHT WOVENS. Knits are stretchy and are constructed with a chain-link matrix that should not be severed by the needle, which can create holes and runs. Choose a ball point needle for knits and light wovens; it will pass between the voids in the chain link or light weave without cutting them.
- SPECIALTY POINT NEEDLES FOR SPECIALTY FABRICS. Leather or wedge points are specially-made for leather and vinyl. Serger Universal points for sewing and quilting can be used on both knits and some wovens. Universals have a smaller eye, require a bobbin thread of 60-weight or thinner and a slower machine speed.
- Using the wrong point type on your fabric can be disastrous. Using sharps on knits can create unsightly runs, puckers and holes that get worse with every washing and wearing. Using ballpoints on heavy wovens can bend or break needles.