Selecting the right sewing machine needle for your project is just as important as selecting the fabric. There are different sizes and types of needles for different types of fabric. The European metric sizing system for sewing machine needles is numbered from 60 to 110 and the American sizing system is numbered from 8 to 18. Regardless of which system you are using the lower the number the finer the needle and the higher the number the larger the needle.
Typically the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size and the heavier the fabric the larger the needle size. The thread you use will also determine the type of needle you choose--a fine, delicate thread would require a smaller needle size.
Fabric Type Machine Needle Type Machine Needle Size
Sheer to lightweight Regular Point 9/70 or 11/80
Lightweight Regular Point 11/80
Medium-weight Regular Point 14/90
Medium to Heavy-weight Regular Point 16/100 or 18/110
Denim and Canvas Denim/Jeans 16/100
Sheer to Lightweight Knits Ball Point 10/70 or 12/80
Medium to Heavy-weight Knits Ball Point 14/90
Specialty Fabrics (Leather, Suede) Wedge Point 14/90 or 16/100
Quilting Needles Slightly rounded 11/75,12/80, 4/90
Using the wrong needle on the right fabric type can have devastating results on your project. You may see skipped stitching, poor tension, and pulling of threads just to name a few of the issues that may result. For your quilting projects
Lightweight Regular Point 11/80
Medium-weight Regular Point 14/90
Medium to Heavy-weight Regular Point 16/100 or 18/110
Denim and Canvas Denim/Jeans 16/100
Sheer to Lightweight Knits Ball Point 10/70 or 12/80
Medium to Heavy-weight Knits Ball Point 14/90
Specialty Fabrics (Leather, Suede) Wedge Point 14/90 or 16/100
Quilting Needles Slightly rounded 11/75,12/80, 4/90
Using the wrong needle on the right fabric type can have devastating results on your project. You may see skipped stitching, poor tension, and pulling of threads just to name a few of the issues that may result. For your quilting projects
