Here’s a
quick way to determine if the thread and the sewing machine needle are
compatible:
Take
half a metre of the thread being used on the machine and thread it through the
eye of a loose needle
Hold the
thread vertically with the needle at the top
·
If the needle is too big, it will drop to the bottom of the
thread
·
If the needle is too small, it will stick at the top of the
thread
However,
a larger-than-normal needle may have to be used to penetrate thicker fabric, or
stitch over the top of pronounced or bulky seams.
Common problem & solution:
Sewing
machine needles can break during sewing and some of the common reasons for
breakage are mentioned below, along with the possible solutions:
Needle check list:
Inserting
a New Needle
·
Always ensure the needle is the correct needle system for the
sewing machine
·
Make sure the needle size / eye fits the thread size being used
·
Make sure the needle is pushed all the way into the needle
holder
·
Ensure that the angle of the needle is correct
·
After inserting a needle in the machine turn the machine hand
wheel manually to make sure the needle isn't contacting any parts
Checking a needle that is already in a
machine:
·
Is the needle inserted correctly?
·
Is the needle contacting any machine parts?
·
Is the needle bent?
·
Is the eye rough or blocked with melted fibre?
·
Is the point damaged?
·
When in doubt change the
needle!
