Which Sewing Machine Needle Should I use?
Have you ever wondered if your using the correct needle when sewing them fancy fabrics? well we have put together a list to help you
Replace your needle regularly! This is the easiest way to improve the seam quality.
Worn or damaged needles often result in:
• Frayed threads or thread breakage
• Skipped stitches or uneven stitches
• Seam puckering
• Damaged textiles
• Popping sound during sewing Rule of thumb: We recommend replacing the needle after 8 hours of sewing time
Which Needle to use and when
Ajour Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Batiste Universal Needle NM 60, NM 70
Bedding, jersey Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90
Bedding, woven fabric Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Belseta Microtex Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Bouclé Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Brocade Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
Calico Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Canvas Jeans Needle NM 90 to NM 110
Chambray Universal Needle NM 80, NM 90
Chenille Universal Needle NM 90
Chiffon Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60, NM 70
Coarse warp-knit fabric and knitwear Jersey Needle NM 80, NM 90
Coat fabric Universal Needle NM 90 to NM 130
Coated materials Microtex Needle NM 70 to NM 110
Corduroy Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Corsetry fabrics Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90 or Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Cotton knitwear Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90 or Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90
Crêpe de Chine Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Crepe Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Crinkle, crash Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Cupro Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Curtains Universal Needle or Jersey Needle NM 80, NM 90
Denim Jeans Needle NM 70 to NM 110; Jeans Twin Needle (for accentuated topstitch seams) NM 100
Devoré Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75, NM 90
Double Face Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 110
Effect threads Embroidery Needle NM 75, NM 90 or Gold Embroidery Needle NM 75, NM 90 or Metallic Needle NM 80, NM 90
Elastic materials Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75, NM 90; Super Stretch Needle (for thicker threads) NM 65, NM 75, NM 90
Embroidery Embroidery Needle NM 75, NM 90; Embroidery Spring Needle (for embroidery without a sewing foot) NM 80; Gold Embroidery Needle (for large number of stitches) NM 75, NM 90 Embroidery with self-adhesive stabilizers Super Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 9
Fancy seams Hemstitch Needle NM 100, NM 120 or Double Eye Needle NM 80 or Twin Needle NM 70 to NM 100 (special needles are available for different application areas), NE 1.6 mm to 8.0 mm or Triple Needle NM 80, NE 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm
Fancy seams, multiple colors Double Eye Needle NM 80 or Twin Needle (special needles are available for different application areas)NM 70 to NM 100, NE 1.6 mm to 8.0 mm or Triple Needle NM 80, NE 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm
Fancy seams, three-line Triple Needle NM 80, NE 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm
Fancy seams, two-line Twin Needle (special needles are available for different application areas) NM 70 to NM 100, NE 1.6 mm to 8.0 mm
Faux fur Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100 or Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Felt Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Fine jersey Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75
Fleece Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 90 or Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90
Foils (plastic foils, synthetic leather, oilcloth) Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 110
Gabardine Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Gauze Jersey Needle NM 70, NM 80
Georgette (also known as Crêpe Georgette) Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Half-linen Universal Needle NM 70, NM 80
Hemstitch seams Hemstitch Needle NM 100, NM 120 or Double Hemstitch Needle NM 100
Highly elastic warp-knit fabric (lycra, silk jersey) Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75
Hook-and-loop tape Super Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Imitation fur (fun fur) Jersey Needle or Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Jacquard Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Jeans Jeans Needle NM 70 to NM 110; Jeans Twin Needle (for accentuated topstitching) NM 100
Jersey Jersey Needle NM 70, NM 80; Stretch Needle (for elastic material) NM 65, NM 75
Knitted fabric, coarse Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Knitted fabric, fine Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90; Stretch Needle (for elastic material) NM 65, NM 75, NM 90
Lace needle must be coordinated individually with the material, NM 70 to NM 90
Lamé Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
Lavabel Universal Needle NM 60 to NM 90
Leather, thick Leather Needle NM 100 to NM 120
Leather, thin Leather Needle or Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Linen Universal Needle NM 80, NM 90
Lingerie Stretch Needle NM 75 or Super Stretch Needle NM 70, NM 80
Loden Universal Needle NM 80 to NM 130
Lycra Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75, NM 90 or Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Metallic sewing/embroidery thread Metallic Needle NM 80, NM 90 or Gold Embroidery Needle NM 75, NM 90
Microfiber woven fabric Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
NE Needle distance in mm for Twin and Triple Needles
NM needle thickness (blade diameter) in hundredths of a millimeter (e.g. NM 80 = 0.8 mm blade diameter)
Nylon Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
Oilcloth Microtex Needle NM 80 to NM 100
Organdy Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60, NM 70
Organza Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60, NM 70
Overlock work There are different needle systems, please follow the information provided by the machine manufacturer.
Panne velvet Stretch Needle NM 75 or Universal Needle NM 70, NM 80
Patchwork Quilting Needle NM 75, NM 90
Pintucks Twin Needle (special needles are available for different application areas)NM 70 to NM 100, NE 1.6 to 4.0 mm; Stretch Twin Needle (for elastic materials) NM 75, NE 2.5 mm or 4.0 mm Polyester Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 100
Poplin Microtex Needle or Universal Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Quilting Quilting Needle NM 75, NM 90
Reversible Universal Needle or Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Seersucker Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Sequined fabric Microtex Needle NM 70 to NM 90 or Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90 Overlocker seams see overlock work
Shirts Universal Needle NM 70, NM 80
Shirts with stretch Stretch Needle NM 75
Shot fabric Universal Needle or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 80
Silk jersey Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75
Silk Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
Single jersey Stretch Needle NM 65, NM 75
Suits Universal Needle NM 80, NM 90
Sweatshirt fabrics Jersey Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Synthetic leather, hard Leather Needle NM 100 to NM 120
Synthetic leather, soft Microtex Needle or Leather Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Table linen Universal Needle NM 60 to NM 100
Taffeta Microtex Needle or Universal Needle NM 60, NM 70
Terry cloth Universal Needle NM 80, NM 90
Topstitching work Topstitch Needle NM 75, NM 90 or Microtex Needle NM 60 to NM 90
T-shirt hems/edge finishing Stretch Twin Needle NM 75, NE 2.5 mm or 4.0 mm
Tulle Universal Needle or Jersey Needle NM 70, NM 80
Twill Jeans Needle NM 70 to NM 110
Velour jersey, warp-knitted plush Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90
Velour Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Velvet Stretch Needle NM 75, NM 90 or Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 90
Viscose Universal Needle NM 70, NM 80
Voile Universal Needle NM 60 to NM 80
WING Needle Hemstitch Needle NM 100, NM 120
Wool/wool blend fabric Universal Needle NM 70 to NM 100
Working clothes Jeans Needle NM 100, NM 110
ZWIHO Double Hemstitch Needle NM 100