A blunt sewing machine needle can cause all sorts of problems with your sewing such as missed stitches and thread breakages. I am guilty of not changing my sewing machine needle as often as I probably should, but how often should it be changed?
I've seen recommendations to change your needle as regularly as
every 4 hours of sewing, however if I am stitching light gauzy cotton fabric I won't change my needle as often as if I am stitching a heavy denim which will blunt my needle faster then guaze will. I might use an already used needle on the denim but a brand new super sharp one for the gauze. Does that make sense?
You should change your sewing machine needle:
- when it has been damaged by hitting a pin, zipper or anything hard (even if you can't see any damage)
- regularly - when you think it's not sharp any more or when you start a new project
- it's all gummed up with sticky stuff from iron on interfacing and you can't get it clean with an alcohol based cleaner
- you can't remember the last time you changed your needle
When was the last time you changed your needle?
Good tips. I must remember the one about changing after I hit a pin or a zipper.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like recently every time I remove the table (shelf?) on my sewing machine, I accidentally hit my needle and it breaks. I can tell you I changed it twice on my last project, a Princess Leia dress. Yes, that was Halloween.
I forget to change them too! That shelf thing does have a name - I can't remember what it is off the top of my head, arm extension maybe? You're doing well if your last project was for Halloween, lets not discuss when mine was ok? Thanks for visiting :o)
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