Sewing machines come in all shapes and sizes, and each requires its own needle type. But, how do you know which needle to use? Although sewing machine needles may look similar, each one has a specific purpose. This blog post will explore the different types of needles and show you how to choose the right one for your machine and what do colours mean on sewing machine needles?
The Different Colour Codes for Sewing Machine Needles:
There are different colour codes on sewing machine needles.
- The needle code indicates the thickness of the needle.
- The natural colour is 90 degrees.
- Black needles are 90 degrees.
- Gold needles are 45 degrees.
- The yellow needles are 60 degrees.
- Red needles are 60 degrees.
- Green needles are 60 degrees.
- The orange needles are 60 degrees.
- The purple needles are 60 degrees.
- The blue needles are 45 degrees.
- The brown needles are 60 degrees.
- The needles with red colour are thin.
- The needles with green colour are medium thickness.
- The needles with blue colour are thick.
How to Select the Matching Colour When Sewing?
With the wide variety of colours on the sewing machine, you may find it hard to choose the right one. When sewing, there are ten colours on the sewing machine needle.
What Do Colours Mean On Sewing Machine Needles
Savvy sewers know that using the correct needle often depends on fabric type, weight, stretch, and personal preferences.
But, even experienced sewists can get tripped up when it comes to remembering what each needle color means.
Here’s a handy sewing needle colour guide to help counter any mix-ups.
- Black: The universal needle type for regular use, black sewing needles are best suited for sewing medium-weight fabrics like denim, cotton, and canvas.
- Blue: Blue needles are great for sewing lightweight fabrics such as silk, chiffon, and georgette.
- Red: Red needles are for decorative purposes like hand embroidery and applique. They’re also great when sewing leather, vinyl, and suede.
- White: White needles are best for threading delicate fabrics like chiffon and georgette.
- Green: Green needles are for decorative purposes like machine embroidery and applique. They’re also great when sewing stretch material and vinyl.
- Yellow: Yellow needles are for the sharpest stitching. They’re also great for threading silk and cotton.
- White: White needles are also for the sharpest stitching like the yellow needles.
How to Properly Thread the Sewing Machine?
The different colours on each needle stand for different type of sewing and fabric types.
Each needle size has a similar pattern on it which tells the user which colours and materials the needles were made for.
The needle’s size designates the size of the needle’s eye, and this is generally printed on the needle’s shank.
The thread size refers to the thickness of the thread. Each thread size corresponds with an integer, such as 40, 80, or 120, as well as a number corresponding with the number of threads per inch. Most needles are colour-coded by thread size, and the thread size number is typically printed right next to the needle size.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Sewing:
Whether you are sewing or crafting, there are some mistakes that can slow you down and make your project more difficult. Here are some common errors that you should avoid:
Using the Wrong Needle
Using a needle that’s too small for your fabric can make sewing difficult and even costly. Use a presser foot as a guide when sewing so that your stitches are straight.
Sewing Fabrics that are Too Thick
Thick fabric can be difficult to work with, especially if your machine isn’t designed to handle this type of fabric. When you’re sewing, use a fabric that’s 1.5-2 times as thick as the fabric you’re sewing.
Making Crooked Stitches
When sewing, it’s important to make sure your fabric is flat. Use a ruler and pins to keep your fabric from shifting while you’re sewing.
Sewing Without Thread
Thread is one of the most important parts of sewing, so it’s important to make sure you always have it ready. Have plenty of thread neatly wound on thread spools so you can quickly spool up your thread as needed.
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