How to choose the needles for your sewing machine

To avoid damaging the sewing machine and needle holder or poking holes in the fabric, it is necessary to know which needle to choose : a good, compatible and good quality needle .

It is important not to neglect the choice of the needle, as it is one of the key parts of your sewing machine. The wrong needle for fabric and thread can make sewing a real ordeal.

Do you think finding the right needle is like finding a needle in a haystack? One writer said that it is easy: “You just have to burn the haystack and get the needle back.”

First of all, you have to understand a fundamental law of sewing:  for every fabric, there is a type of needle. A needle that is too thick for a fine fabric, or a fabric that is too thick sewn with a needle that is too fine, can damage the material.

In fact, there are several gauges of sewing needles on the market, especially 7 types of needles depending on the type of fabric:

• Standard needle,
• The Jersey needle,
• The Microtex needle,
• Stretch needle ,
• The needle for leather,
• The needle for jeans and firm fabrics,
• The patchwork needle .

It is important to note that each material has its own function, without which the sewing project becomes unviable.

Since every blood vessel, vein, artery, organ, or hormone has its role in the human body, the needle, the fabric, the thread, and the sewing machine have their purpose.

That is why it is essential to  choose your needles  depending on the fabric, but also depending on the type of thread you are going to use, since just as the thickness of the fabric affects the gauge of the needle of your sewing machine, you should also use thread compatible. For example, a fine, fragile thread can break when threaded through a needle for jeans and firm fabrics for sewing denim fabric.

Finally, keep in mind that it is advisable that you change the needle every time you start a new sewing project.

Also learn with us to make your own handbag .

How to use a sewing machine

With a good sewing machine, you can unleash your creative ideas.

If you spend more time unstitching and repeating a zigzag stitch on cotton fabric than customizing a cushion cover or sweater, it’s time to watch sewing tutorials to  learn how to use a sewing machine.

How to start your machine before sewing

Knowing the “anatomy” of a sewing machine, setting it up and threading it, knowing what is the thread spool, bobbin, winder, thread guide or needle eye are all things you will have to do.

In addition, it is necessary that you know the role of each piece, from the thread holder to the needle plate, to be able to repair it on occasion and use it correctly.

How do you start a sewing machine?

First you will have to place the sewing needle,  with its groove in the direction of the thread, inserting the needle completely into its base.

Next, you have to feed the bobbin by turning the bobbin until it is full, then bring it under the needle plate (so that the needle catches the thread at the bottom). Lower the bobbin thread towards the eye of the needle to thread the needle.

If you live in the Catalan capital, you can learn all this thanks to our barcelona sewing course .

Sew progressively

In order not to skip any steps, it is important that you start by doing simple things.

First, sew with fabric scraps, pieces of poor quality or worthless fabric and learn the different  stitches  (knot stitch, straight stitch, zigzag, cross stitch, etc.).

Learn to  reverse the point , which is very useful, but is often forgotten. And yet it prevents the seam from fraying. First you need to sew forward and then go through the stitches in reverse to overcast the fabric.  

Evolving step by step and advancing in stages is the best way to make your creations a success and make beautiful clothes to “go blank.”

Can you make your own bow tie ?