idual needles. Typically they vary from 1.6mm to 6mm apart. Note that the Twin Needle button added to many computer machines automatically limits stitch widths for the 1.6mm twin included with them. If you use a wider needle, like a 4.0, that button won’t protect you from breaking it!
Often this needle is sold with its German name, drilling. It does 3 rows of stitching, and is used in the same decorative applications as twin needles. Use great care with these needles, as they are quite wide. If the stitch width is too wide you can break an expensive needle.
When using a wing, twin, or triple needle it’s a good ideal to turn the hand wheel of the machine through a full cycle of the chosen stitch. This lets you confirm that the needle clears the hole in the needle plate and will not be broken as soon as you start sewing.
Once you have determined what type of needle you need for your project, you need to decide on the size. There are two different systems used to specify needle sizes, and most are sold with both sizes on the package, separated by a slash. The larger number is the size of the shaft in 100ths of a millimeter, while the smaller is the number of the needle within the Singer sizing system, as set up a long time ago. So a size 90 needle (90/100ths of a millimeter) is the same as a Singer 14. The 90/14 needle is the most common size, and is packaged with most new sewing machines. Most sewing machine adjustments are made using a 90/14 needle. This is especially true for needle threaders, which can lead to trouble with smaller needles. If using a size 10 or smaller needle, it is best not to use the machine’s needle threader, as the smaller eye can damage the mechanism. You should also not try to use the needle threader with wing needles, twin needles, or triple needles. It won’t work, and could damage the threader.
There is a lifetime for a needle, and it’s not nearly as long as you might think. As a general rule, it’s good to start each project with a new needle. For embroidery, or sewing that’s not project-related, plan on a new one after 8-12 hours of sewing time. For specially coated needles, like Organ titanium, you can probably safely double that time, maybe even triple it. You can also get extended use from the chrome-plated needles that are now being sold. However these coated needles cost more, so there is a temptation to use them longer than you might use ordinary needles. That’s dangerous, because when they become dull they will not penetrate fabric well. That can lead to breakage, but because they are so strong they will usually damage the bobbin case or the machine when they break. If the needle hits something, but doesn’t break, change it anyway. Likewise, if the needle appears to be bent, change it. In fact, when in doubt, throw it out!
There are many different brands of needles on the market today, so you have a lot of choice in what you use. Most Janome owners are familiar with the blue tip and red tip needles that are included with their machines. These are made for Janome by Organ. The color on the shank indicates needle size. Blue tip needles are size 11. Red tips are size 14. They are good quality needles that work well for sewing and embroidery. Janome also has topstitch needles, leather needles, and a purple tip needle that has a tip that resembles the head of a cobra. The purple tip is recommended for quilting, and it also works very well for embroidery and regular sewing.
Schmetz is probably the largest needle manufacturer in the world, making both household and commercial needles. They have a huge variety of needle types for just about any sewing activity you can think of. Their needles are very high quality and last a little longer than other brands, at least in the non-titanium varieties. While many people use Schmetz needles, some Janome owners report that they don’t work with Janome machines that have automatic needle threaders. This is only reported by some Janome owners, not all. It likely has to do with how the needle threaders are calibrated. As previously stated, this is usually do