Updated at: 31-10-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Where do needles for sewing machines end up? You can find universal needles, quilting needles, Microtex Sharp Needles, and topstitching needles, just to name a few. There is a great deal of leeway here. Which one should you use for your quilting tasks? I’m here to help you choose the best needle for your sewing machine by outlining the features that set each type apart.

Quilting Needle

For both machine quilting and piecing in the quilt sandwich, this needle’s slim shaft is ideal (top the binding, batting, and top).

This needle’s slim shaft makes it ideal for machine quilting and sewing the quilt sandwich (top the binding, batting, and top).

Choose the Best Type of Needle for Your Project

This needle’s slim shaft makes it ideal for machine quilting as well as hand stitching the quilt layers together (top the binding, batting, and top).

  • Investing in a high-quality needle is essential. Needles available in a wide variety, with denim needles designed for denim and other heavy fabrics and universal needles suitable for a wide range of fabrics and applications, including patchwork.
  • The machine quilting needles are perfect because of their rounded tip and sturdy construction. The most common machine needle size is 90/14. The strong shaft stands up well while quilting through the layers of the quilt sandwich. The 90/14 has large needle eyes that may use a wide range of thread sizes.

  • Needle eyes are especially helpful when working with metallic thread (which tangles easily) or a particularly lengthy length of thread. Schmetz’s needle has a large eye that makes it easy for the thread to flow through. Needles for sewing machines can be purchased from a wide range of suppliers.
  • You’ll need to use specific needles if you’re going to be sewing stretchy material, and you may choose from a few different types. Needles come in a variety of shapes and sizes and serve a variety of functions.
  • Needles made using Schmetz Microtex needles have extremely sharp points. You can get them in a range of sizes.
  • Topstitch needles have a larger eye, so the thread has more room to move. Thicker threads can be used with topstitch needles.

Fabric/Thread/Needle Combination

However, there are a variety of needles designed for use with particular threads and fabrics, therefore it’s not true that there isn’t a needle for any fabric. Finer needles are usually needed when working with finer fabrics. If the eye of your needle is too small, your thread will snap and you will have holes in your cloth. The thread simply isn’t robust enough to completely seal the gaps. A standard tip for stitching is to use an eyeball needle for knits and an edged point needle for wovens. A single needle, known as a Universal, can be used for each of these.

Needle Accessories

Sewing machines’ needles are available in a variety of colors, each of which corresponds to a specific size. It may help to switch up the needle brand you normally use. The Clover Sort ‘n’ Store Pincushion is a great place to keep your needles organized while you wait (or you could create your own pincushion with a label).

Conclusion

Do you find this information to be useful? To review, you can use either an 80/12 or a 90/14 needle for your quilting projects. The number of layers in your quilt will determine whether you use a quilting needle or a universal needle.