The Point of Needles

When I first started sewing, I didn't pay attention to my machine needles. And given my conversations with other beginners, I realized that this isn't all that unusual. However, it didn't take long for me to see the error of my ways. When I took my very first sewing machine (a refurbished 1967 Singer Touch & Sew) in for a quick repair, I left with a fixed machine and a new appreciation for needles.

Since that time (so very long ago), I've use Schmetz needles and only Schmetz needles - and not just because that's what the repair shop recommended. I can see the difference! 

I keep a slew of them in my needle storage box. 




My embroidery machine needles have a different home in a different box!

An old pill bottle stores my used needles.

And it seems that almost every problem I've had with a project has been related to the needle - usually one that is wrong size (they never become dull because I toss them constantly!). Because I make a lot of different projects and sew on a lot of different fabric, changing the needles has become almost intuitive. 

Stored on my floor lamp post next to my machine!

And it seems that my needle obsession has spread to my friends: usually the first question anyone asks me in one of my sewing classes is, "What needle do we need?" They have learned that the right needle can make sewing a project a lot easier.

I really recommend visiting the SchmetzNeedles website. I love their Learning Center, especially their Trouble Shooting Guide. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but, as with anything, troubleshooting gets easier with experience. 

And just how much do I love needles? Enough that I buy my Universal 80/12 by the box!


And, BTW, I'm in no way affiliated with Schmetz. I just know a good thing when I use it!