Can you use embroidery needles for hand sewing?
Embroidery needles have a long eye which makes threading the needle so much easier when using multiple strands of thread. The most popular sizes used to embroider are size 7 and 9. Because of their large eye these needles are suitable for general sewing.
Embroidery needles are typically sharp and have a larger eye, making them suitable for various sewing tasks. However, for heavier fabrics or thicker threads, you may want to use a needle specifically designed for those purposes.
Use Sharps size 2, 3 and 4 for general sewing on medium to heavy fabrics. These sizes have a larger eye and therefore are easier to thread. Sharps in size 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are the most popular within the sharp family and they are commonly used for general sewing on light to medium fabrics.
1. Crewel Needles. Crewel needles are also called “embroidery” needles. Crewel needles have a medium-long eye, a shaft slightly thinner than the eye (the eye bulges slightly at the top of the shaft), and a sharp tip.
Although both can be used for machine embroidery, the main difference between embroidery and sewing machine needles is the shape of the eye and scarf. Machine embroidery needles have a longer eye and a specially-shaped scarf to suit the more delicate embroidery threads and not to break or fray them.
With any embroidery, you need embroidery needles as these have a sharp, pointed end. This will allow you to pierce through your fabric with ease. As the holes in the aida or evenweave are quite easy to come through with cross stitch, you need special tapestry needles.
As the rounded tip does not penetrate the fibres, but rather pushes them aside, the tapestry needles are especially suitable for embroidery with coarser materials such as wool.
Most hand sewing needles are plated with nickel, gold, or platinum, which wears off over time. This causes a sluggish needle.
Universal. These have a slightly rounded tip and are the go-to choice for many sewing projects using woven fabric (e.g. dressmaking, soft furnishing and crafts). They come in a wide range of sizes from NM 60/8 to NM 130/21. This needle is also the standard fit in modern overlockers.
| Gauge | Inches | Millimeters |
|---|---|---|
| 12.0 | 0.104 | 2.642 |
| 13.0 | 0.092 | 2.337 |
| 14.0 | 0.080 | 2.032 |
| 15.0 | 0.072 | 1.829 |
What is used for hand sewing?
Sewing needles. Sewing pins. Clear sewing ruler (I use a 5x18 inch ruler - the one I'm linking to is very similar but a little larger) Fabric measuring tape.
Needles are sized 90/14, and best used on medium-weight woven fabrics. The set of 5 machine embroidery needles comes in a plastic case that includes sizing on the cover. These needles can be used with SINGER, Brother, Kenmore and other quality sewing machines.
Sashiko needles are longer and smooth for running stitching. The larger eye of needle is especially for sashiko thread which is larger than embroidery needles. These needles have a large needle eye and are flexible and warp resistant. Runs smoothly through fabric.
Like sewing by machine, you should treat yourself to a fresh, new needle at the start of every new project and change your needle every 8 – 24 hours depending on the fibers you are sewing through. New project = new needle.
Embroidery needles have a long eye which makes threading the needle so much easier when using multiple strands of thread. The most popular sizes used to embroider are size 7 and 9. Because of their large eye these needles are suitable for general sewing.
In the case of some types of stitches, for example bullion knots or cast-on stitches, using certain needles will make your stitches easier to create and more beautiful. In numerical order: 1 - beading needle, 2 - milliners needle, 3 - chenille needle, 4 - embroidery needle, 5 - long sashiko needle, 6 - darning needle.
Embroidery needles have sharp tips and larger eyes than regular sewing needles, so the eye can accommodate embroidery threads. The sharp tips help the needle penetrate tightly woven embroidery fabrics, as well as felt. They are also sometimes referred to as crewel needles as they are used for crewel embroidery.
Other needles are useful too, try a fine beading needle for adding bead accents. You may also prefer a sharp-tipped embroidery (or crewel) needle to split Aida blocks when stitching fractional stitches.
Cross stitch is arguably simpler, as it's formed of just a few types of stitches that are worked in a grid formation. It also requires you to follow a pattern (chart) and key to show which colours and stitches to use, and where to place them.
Some people say that the needles need to be changed about every 2 million stitches, some say 1 million stitches or 8 consecutive hours of sewing. A lot of this depends on the speed of the machine, the type of fabric and backing that you are using and how many times you have actually run that particular needle bar.
Why should you use an embroidery needle not an ordinary needle?
Embroidery Needles: These needles have a sharp point and a larger eye, allowing for easy threading of embroidery floss or threads. They come in various sizes, with larger numbers indicating finer needles. Crewel Needles: Crewel needles are similar to embroidery needles but have a longer and sharper point.
It's most likely that your hook timing is off. You can also learn more by signing up for our cap embroidery guide, which will give you clues on whether your timing may be off! Pro tip: We recommend checking your hook timing once a year, to decrease the amount of needle breaks that could occur.
Seam rippers are tools designed to slide between sewn stitches and gently cut the thread without tearing at the surrounding fabric. They allow the user to cut, hook, and remove the thread from a seam, and they're a life saver for tailors and seamstresses everywhere.
Start With A Holding Stitch
To begin the holding stitch, knot your thread. Stitch 1 – Bring the needle down through the fabric from the surface to the back of the fabric. Leave the knot where it is. TIP: When stitching a straight line, place the knot approximately 1cm away from where you will start your embroidery.
The most common hand-sewing needles are called 'Sharps' needles. They come in a variety of sizes, and are popular as they have sharp, pointed tips - suitable for a variety of projects. These needles are a sewing box essential! Size 2/3/4 -For medium to heavy weight fabrics.
