PLEASE NOTE: Most answers to the question, What Needle Do I Use? can be found in your owner's manual.
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Question: I'm new to embroidery. What needles should be used?
Question: I’m using the SCHMETZ NonStick Needle on a light fabric. My fabric is getting a dark stain. What’s happening?
Answer: The anti-adhesive coating (NIT) resists sticky stabilizers, fusibles, and adhesives. If stitching on light or white fabrics or threads, test first to remove the excess residue. This process changes the needle's appearance (it becomes lighter), which has no effect on the needle's fitness for purpose or use.
Question: I'm a quilt maker and confuse Universal vs Microtex needles. When machine quilting, I tend to use a 90/14 quilt needle in my Janome Horizon and it works well with poly, poly/cotton or pure cotton threads. Any type of batting works well, too. How do Quilt needles compare to Universal needles? What's the difference? Can the Universal be used to piece quilt tops. Does the fact they are called Universal mean they replace other needles such as the Microtex for piecing and Quilt needles for quilting? I only trust SCHMETZ needles in my machine but sometimes it's hard to know the right type to keep on hand. Thank you.
Answer: SCHMETZ Universal needles are the workhorse of all needle types. They work with woven and knit fabrics. Universal needles make a very good stitch, but sometimes another needle type will produce an even better stitch. There is one difference between Universal & Quilting needles. Both needles have a slightly rounded point, but the quilting needle has special taper that allows easier fabric penetration and reduce skipped stitches. The Microtex has a very slim acute point for precision stitches. With SCHMETZ you have options. For piecing and quilting there are five popular frequently used needle types: Universal, Jeans, Topstitch, Quilting, and Microtex. Experiment and select the best needle type for your specific fabric, machine & technique. Sometimes the differences between needle types are subtle, and other times, not so much. Be prepared and have a variety of needle types and sizes handy.
Question: What needle do I use on small sequin fabric?
Answer: With SCHMETZ you have options. Is the fabric a knit? Use a Stretch 75/11 or 90/14? Is the fabric a woven? Use a Microtex 70/10-90/14. Another option is a Jeans needle.
Question: I am sewing through heavy, thick denim seams, like the seams on the crotch area of jeans. I am using Denim needles, 130-705 H-J. What would be the best size? Do Jeans needles come in bulk?
Answer: The SCHMETZ Jeans/Denim needle is a great choice for your thick denim seams. The SCHMETZ Jeans needle has a reinforced blade to handle heavy sewing. It's hard to know what size, depending on your fabric weight, but use at least size 90/14, although you may need to move up a needle size to 100/16. You will need to experiment with your thread, fabric and machine. SCHMETZ Denim are available on the card and also in bulk (100 needles/box). BTW, you might consider using a Jean-a-ma-Jig to help sew over thick intersecting denim seams.
Question: I want to modify blackout drapes and am wondering what teflon needle size would be best; also stitch length which I’m presuming would be the longest on my machine.
Answer: Needle size is determined by the fabric weight and the thread. If using a 40 wt thread, use a size 80/12. If the thread is heavier, use a 90/14 or 100/16. You may need to experiment to find the right size. The SCHMETZ Super NonStick is a terrific needle choice for your project. There is an assorted size pack of the Super NonStick needles available under the needle card name Vinyl Needles.
Question: I have a pack of Microtex 70/10 130/705 H-M CF. They are all silver with no color markings on them. When will I use them?
Answer: Two bands of color coding on SCHMETZ needles started early , so your needles must be older. The great thing is that steel does not deteriorate, so your needles are still sewing worthy. Use them. 130/705 H is the needle system used by home sewing machines. The needle has a flat shank & a scarf. M – Microtex. CF – Chrome Finish The SCHMETZ Microtex needle has a very slim acute point (sharp) that is great for piecing, quilting, sewing on batiks and fashion sewing.
Question: What is the best needle to use for my handwoven fabric? The yarn I use is a rayon/cotton seed.
Answer: A SCHMETZ Universal needle is the needle of choice when working with cotton and rayon. Another needle type to use is the SCHMETZ Microtex which has a sharp point. Whether you use a Universal or a Microtex, if the fabric is of average weight, use size 80/12.
Question: Which single machine needle is best for sewing very thin, very lightweight, stretch material that won’t skip stitches?
Answer: If the fabric has Lycra or Spandex, use a Stretch 75/11. Other options are Jersey or Universal.
Question: How much difference is there between the 75/11 size embroidery and quilting needles? Can I use one or the other for both my quilting and my embroidery projects or is it best to use the one specifically for that project?
Answer: There is nothing set in stone that says you must use an embroidery needle just for embroidery and a quilting needle just for quilting. As our sewing educator always says, With SCHMETZ, you have options. She recommends testing to see which needle will give you the results you are looking for.The SCHMETZ Embroidery needle has a light ball point, enlarged eye, and wide groove. The Embroidery needle protects fast-moving, fragile threads against excess friction allowing trouble-free embroidery and decorative stitching.The SCHMETZ Quilting sewing machine needle is specifically designed for piecing and quilting. With a special taper to the slightly rounded point, the needle easily penetrates fabric and helps eliminate skipped stitches.
Question: I have been trying to sew French terry fleece, so I have broken two needles and bent four. I have tried Jersey/Ball Point, Stretch, and Universal. I have also tried both a Janome and a Brother machine. What needle do you recommend as the French terry fleece seems to be brutal on them?
Answer: SCHMETZ Stretch and Jersey needles are the preferred needle types for sewing French terry fleece. A couple of questions:- Is the needle size appropriate for the fabric weight? For lighter fabric use Stretch 75/11 or Jersey 70/10 or 80/12. For a heavier fabric use Stretch 90/14 or Jersey 90/14 or 100/16.- Has the needle been used on other projects? A new needle can solve sewing irritations.- Are you pushing or pulling the fabric under the needle? Either will compromise stitch creation.- Has the sewing machine(s) been serviced? Poor timing will break the needle and may compromise the throat plate and bobbin hook. A technician can reset machine timing.
Question: What is the SCHMETZ equivalent needle for a Kenmore needle?
Answer: The SCHMETZ equivalent to the Kenmore needle Part# is an Embroidery Needle, 130/705 H-E, in size 90/14.
Question: Which needle is the best to use when embroidering on leather cowhide (it will be on the cuff of a pair of welding gloves). I find one place that says “Leather 90/14 sewing” needles, but then I see another that says “Embroidery 90/14” needles. I’m confused! I don’t know if I’m looking for more of a sharp tip or more of a ballpoint tip since this is on cowhide.
Answer: We recommend using a leather needle. The leather needle will cut through the leather. The embroidery needle may not be strong enough to get through the leather. If it does, it will punch a hole in the leather.
Question: I am looking for a 2mm Leather Twin needle.
Answer: SCHMETZ does not manufacture a Leather Twin needle.
Question: My Necchi L234 serger came with a spare needle pack that says ELx705CF. The shop where I bought the machine said to use home sewing machine needles. However, the owner’s manual says to use "needles suitable for overlocker" but no model number. I don't know what to use and I also need jersey and stretch needles for this machine. What do I use? I'm totally lost.
Answer: We recommend the ELx705 CF, especially because the machine came with a spare pack of this needle. The ELx705 CF has a second groove which usually is beneficial for overlock machines (less thread tension needed and fewer skipped stitches). The ELx705 SUK CF is the version for jersey and stretch.
"Standard" home sewing needles like the Universal Needle have the same basic measurements but only one groove. This needle would not harm the machine, but it usually needs a higher thread tension. If the machine has been adjusted for ELx705 CF, a Universal Needle might also cause skip stitches in delicate seams.
Question: I am having trouble sewing light to medium weight Ponte knits that have spandex. I have tried all sizes of Jersey and Stretch needles -- all give me skipped stitches. The only needle I can get to work with the fabric is a Universal size 100, which seems odd to me. To make this even more confusing, a size 100 Jersey needle also does not work -- only the Universal size 100. While I don't mind using the Universal needle as it does give me perfect stitches, it feels different while sewing -- it's not smooth like the Ball Point or Stretch needles when the fabric is being pierced by the needle. I should also note it is not my machine -- I have tried four different machines, and all give me identical results. I'm using standard Gutermann Sew-All thread. Do you have any tips? Should I just stick with the Universal needle?
Answer: If the end result is fine (meaning: no material damage), you should stick with the Universal needle currently being used. Another option would be the Super Stretch Needle which has a ballpoint. Its special features might be beneficial.
Question: What is the SCHMETZ equivalent to the Janome Blue Tip needle?
Answer: It is similar to SCHMETZ 130/705 H-E NM 75/11 (Embroidery). The SCHMETZ Embroidery needle has a light ball point, enlarged eye, and wide groove. The Embroidery needle protects fast-moving, fragile threads against excess friction allowing trouble-free embroidery and decorative stitching.
Question: I have purchased the SCHMETZ wing needle and am unable to fit it into my Bernina sewing machine. The shaft appears to be thicker than any of your other needles (all the other SCHMETZ needles I have used have fitted without any problems). Please can you advise?
Answer: You are probably using a size 120/19 Wing Needle. In the past, the flat shank was made according to standards which were given by machine manufacturers. Recently, some machine manufacturers have started making smaller bore holes in their needle bars, so that this needle size did not fit in their machines. Some time ago, SCHMETZ decided to adapt the flattening of needle size 120/19 and above, so that the needles would fit again. It’s possible you do not have one of the new needles.
Question: I have a Pfaff quilt expression 4.2 sewing machine. Recently, I have had problems using your Microtex needles in my machine. I thought something was wrong with the machine, but other needles work fine. Yesterday, I realized I had two different types of SCHMETZ Microtex needles. Some have just a purple band and are marked 60/8 and 70/10. They don’t stay in the machine when I start sewing with them. However, the SCHMETZ Microtex needles with the purple and orange bands which are marked 80/12 are fine. Can you tell me why this is the case and if there is anything I can do to remedy this?
Answer: The shank diameter as well as the shank flattening of Microtex Needles have not been changed from old stock needles to current needles. Nevertheless, the flattening changes with the needle size in order to have the same distance of the needle to the hook in all needle sizes. The shank flattening of Microtex Needles is exactly the same as the shank flattening of Universal Needles. If Universal Needles of size 60/8 and 70/10 have the same problem then we assume that it is a machine problem. Sometimes just the needle retaining screw is worn out and a new screw would solve the problem.
Question: I have some 130/705 H LL 120/19 needles that I use for sewing leather. With leather, the stitching is one of the most decorative things and often uses very thick thread. Would it be possible to get 130/705 needles in larger sizes such as 150/22 and 160/23? I know that these would normally be reserved for industrial machine systems but there is a definite requirement for decorative leather stitching on high-end domestic machines.
Answer: The main reason this will never happen is that a home sewing machine would be destroyed by using size 150 or 160 needles. A large needle is normally used for stitching on very heavy leather. You need to move up to an industrial sewing machine. Another reason is that worldwide demand would be very low. Very few people want to damage their machines.
Question: I purchase SCHMETZ needles for my sewing machine and cover stitch machine and am very satisfied with them. I use ELx705 80/12 or 90/14 (and SUKs). I’m told SCHMETZ has a needle called "stretch" that will work in my cover stitch, but I can’t find one for "cover stitch." When I look at the SCHMETZ "stretch" needle it says sewing machine. Does SCHMETZ make a needle called "stretch" for cover stitch machines?
Answer: The only one that would be perfect for stretch material would be ELx705 CF SUK.
Question: I have a Brother sewing machine and need replacement twin needles. Which size twin needles should I purchase? I bought a package of your universal 130/705 H-S ZWI 2.5/75 and a package of 2.0/80. What can you tell me about it?
Answer: Here’s what you need to know about SCHMETZ Twin needles: 130/705 H is the needle system. It means the needle has a flat shank and a scarf appropriate for 99% of all home sewing machines. The -S identifies the needle as a Stretch needle. ZWI means this is a twin needle. 2.5/75 and 2.0/80: The first number is the distance between the two needles. 2.0 will create a narrower distance between the two rows of stitches. 75 and 80 are the needle sizes. Size 80 is slightly larger than size 75. Make certain the sewing machine throat plate can accommodate the twin needles, otherwise, the needles will hit the throat plate and break. Check your stitch design too. If the stitch swings out too wide, the needles will, again, hit the throat plate & break. You need to decide how wide you want the parallel stitches and whether a Stretch vs Universal needle is more appropriate.
Question: What needle should be used for free-motion quilting (FMQ) on batik quilt projects?
Answer: The SCHMETZ Microtex (Sharp) needle is recommended for batiks.
Question: I have ordered SCHMETZ Leather needles (110/18) numerous times but the needle shaft is too big to fit my sewing machine. Why won't they fit my machine?
Answer: Are you sure you ordered the correct needle type and not an industrial Round Shank Leather Needle (287WH LR)?
The shank diameter of all household needles of type 130/705 H is 2.04 mm. But the thickness across the shank flattening changes with the needle size as shown in the image below.Leather Needles and Universal or Jeans Needles have the same shank flattening. If a Universal or Jeans Needle in size 110/18 fits the machine, then a Leather needle of that size should also fit. If the Universal 110/18 does not fit, then the machine itself cannot use any needle of that size, including a Leather Needle. In this case, there is still the option to use a Leather needle size 100/16.
PLEASE NOTE: Most answers to the question, What Needle (or Needle System) Do I Use? can be found in your owner's manual.
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Question: Where are SCHMETZ Needles manufactured?
Answer: All SCHMETZ needles (both industrial and household) are engineered in Germany. The tools for making the needles are exclusively made by SCHMETZ in Germany as well. The actual production is done at a SCHMETZ-owned factory in India. SCHMETZ has been delivering needles from this factory for the past 25 years.
Question: What does the word CANU mean?
Answer: CANU means CAtalog NUmber. CANU is the internal SCHMETZ designation for needle systems. Usually, it bundles several different systems under one CANU.
Question: I am curious as to the designation SES, SUK, and SKF. I would like to know if these refer to German words that mean light ballpoint, medium ballpoint, and heavy ballpoint. If not, who came up with these designations?
Answer: No one knows. Years ago, one of our technicians asked the same question, and the only answer he got was: Mr. Schmetz picked the letters at random because he liked how they sounded.
Question: I’m using a size 90/14 needle in my industrial machine, but the thread is shredding as I quilt. What can I do?
Answer: You either need to use a larger needle or the machine needs to be timed (the point of the hook is splitting the bottom loop).
Question: We are having problems with skipped stitches and needle deflection in our industrial machines. Any suggestions?
Answer: Needle deflection, skipped stitches, and broken needles are a sign of using the wrong needle size. Please increase the needle size by one or two sizes.
Question: I have a question about SCHMETZ Titanium coated needles, and it has to do with how hard the entire needle is. It is my understanding that the Titanium nitride coating is just micrometers thick, and that's really all the needle needs to keep the point sharp much longer. But that coating doesn't make the needle, overall, harder, or stiffer, and more difficult to break. There seems to be some thought out there in the sewing and long arm quilting world that TN needles are "harder" and will not break as easily as a chrome-coated needle, thus putting your sewing machine or long arm quilting machine at risk for possible timing issues or damage, since the TN needle won't break as easily. I do not believe this is the case.
Answer: Yes, you are correct that the Titanium Nitride coating is just micrometers thick. The Titanium Nitride coating is on top of a hard chrome layer and the surface of the needle is more than twice as hard as a simple chrome plating. This results in excellent wear resistance of the needle and also the tip of the needle is long-lasting. However, this does not mean that the needle does not break when it touches the needle plate. The needle, overall, is not harder or stiffer than a chrome-coated needle. Still, the base of the needle is hardened and polished steel.
Question: There is an increased interest in antique sewing machines. Many of these machines use a 20x1 needle. There are no current production substitutes available for the 20x1. Would it be feasible to produce new 20x1 needles?
Answer: SCHMETZ has no plans to produce old needle systems. Between the old molds no longer existing and their facility already running at full capacity, they have no interest in considering this.
Question: I quilt at a resale shop for charity. The shop got a Pfaff (561 or 563) leather machine donated that we would like to use it for machine quilting. The needle system is 134. The needle that came in the machine is a SCHMETZ 18/110. I saw in the booklet by SCHMETZ that you shouldn't use it on woven fabrics. Is there another needle that would work for quilting on this system?
Answer: The OEM needle is system 134. This system has many points and sizes available for different fabrics. For quilting, however, you can try 134 (R) SERV 7 or the 134 SES SERV 7. The size of the needle depends on the thread size and the thickness of the woven fabrics. Recommended sizes are NM100 to NM130.Here are links to the needles on our website:134 (R) SERV 7 – Regular Point134 SES SERV 7 – Light Ball Point
Question: I bought a pack of DBx17 needles from sizes 14-22, both standard and diamond. But during a sewing retreat, several of the blue containers got jostled and I have 17 needles that fell out. I know there is writing on each needle, but I just can’t read it even with magnifying. Is there a chart to show me what each should say? That may help me get most of them identified but I’m very lost with most of the 3 packs mingled together.
Answer: Unfortunately, other than using a high-power magnifier to view the points, you’re not going to be able to differentiate the standard needles from the diamond points. Only the name SCHMETZ and the needle size are stamped on the shank of the needles.
Question: I ordered a Juki DDL but it came with only one needle, which is now broken. How can I get a new set of needles?
Answer: Your machine uses DBx1 needles (also known as 16x231).
Question: I need DHX1 needles. Do you have them?
Answer: DHx1 is also known as 24x1. Unfortunately, SCHMETZ has discontinued manufacturing this needle.
Question: I have a JUKI DNU-. I needle needles for sewing light, delicate fabric. What do you recommend for my machine?
Answer: The JUKI DNU- uses needle system 135x17. For sewing light, delicate fabrics you would need to use a smaller needle size. Unfortunately, the JUKI DNU- is a heavy walking foot machine designed for heavy canvas, leather sewing, etc. According to one of the SCHMETZ technicians, without adjusting the machine, the smallest size you could possibly use is 110/18.
Question: I have an old Wilcox and Gibbs Three thread overlocker model 32/33. I have always used SCHMETZ needles, but I am now finding them impossible to find. Have they been discontinued?
Answer: Your machine uses needle system 443 W. Unfortunately, SCHMETZ no longer manufactures this needle. They do not have anything that could be substituted.
Question: Does SCHMETZ make custom needles?
Answer: No, we do not.
Question: Can you get round shank Microtex needles for industrial sewing machines? What other needles can be used for Lycra®, bonbon, and other stretch fabrics?
Answer: The Microtex point is the same as "SPI" point in Industrial. "SUK" and "SES" for all ballpoint applications on stretch and knits materials.
Question: We have an old Baby Lock serger in our service department that has a sticker on the machine for the needle size, SCHMETZ 621 D. Is this needle still available?
Answer: 621 D is very similar to needle system B-27.
Question: What, specifically, was the reason to stop making 206x13 sizes 16 and 18?
Answer: Low worldwide demand.
Question: What’s the difference between DBx1 and DBxK5? Looking at the specs, they appear identical.
Answer: These are two different systems. They look similar but are different. DBx1 is for lightweight lockstitch machines and DBxK5 is for embroidery machines.
Question: What is the difference between needle system 135x5 and needle system -01?
Answer: Needle system 135x5 and needle system -01 are the same needle system with the same measurements. This needle has about 18 different names. 135x5 is the old Singer name, the old Singer Cat.-No. and -01 the new Singer Cat.-No., where the "01" characterizes that this needle has a normal round point. In western countries, the needle is also called 134(R). This needle system is also available with other point shapes.
Question: I just purchased a Ferdco 440 and would like to know what size needle I must order? I am sewing marine heavy canvas and would be using #92 and #131 thread polyester.
Answer: Unfortunately, thread manufacturers do not have a uniform numbering system. If your thread numbers refer to the tex numbering, then you should use needle size 110/18 - 130/21 for a tex 92 thread and needle size 130/21 - 150 for a tex 131 thread. The needle size also depends on the thread construction. Generally, the thread should slide smoothly through the needle eye.
Question: I am the Plant Manager for XXXXX and I understand we use your 135x5 #18 needles. It was brought up during an audit if those needles could be traced by a metal detector. Would you be able to provide insight?
Answer: Yes, it is a standard norm when exporting to the USA. Factories all over the world do this type of checking with a metal detector before packaging the garments.
Question: What are your most popular common needles for Barudan 8-head machines?
Answer: The new Barudan machines are set with the regular DBXK5 needle system. The older machines were set with 287 WK.
Question: Is there an alternative to BLx1 needles for a Riccar Lock RL-340?
Answer: Yes. You could use needle system 16x231. The main difference is the scarf. The point length is about the same. BLX1 has a longer scarf and is flatter (for Zig-Zag) compared to 16x231 for plain sewers. The shank and the length of BLx1 and 16x231 are the same, 1.63mm diameter shank and a length of 33.9mm.
Question: I recently learned that our preferred needle (NM:250 Size:27) (216x1) (CYX1) has been discontinued. I am struggling with getting proper information with regards to possible replacements. It would be very beneficial for us to have a catalog of the (NM:250 Size: 27) or (NM:280 Size: 28) “normal inventory” of needles that you currently manufacture.
Answer: Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. There are hundreds of different needle systems for industrial machines. You need to use the needle system specified by the machine manufacturer. Just because an industrial needle system may have a size 250/27 or 280/28 in its range, the needle length (and diameter) may not even be close to what your machine requires. It’s a question of is there a close substitute that might work with your machines. In some cases, there may be a substitute available. This may require some modifications to the machine. In many other cases, there is nothing available.
216x1 is only available in size 230/26.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Textile Needle Detectors. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.