Thursday Tip with Hali - Matching Needle and Thread to your Project

Thursday Tip // Matching needle and thread to your project⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Buckle up! Here we go...⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
1. Choose needle size according to thread thickness and the type of fabric (lighter fabric = lighter needle, heavier fabric = heavier needle). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2. If you use Schmetz needles they have a very user friendly colour coding system, the top color band is the needle type and bottom color is needle size.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
3. Change your needle after approximately 8 hrs of sewing - this will improve your stitch quality and your machine will purr. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Needles:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Wovens - for lighter wovens eg. linen, hemp, cotton use a universal needle size 70-80. For heavier wovens eg. twill or corduroy use an 80-90 universal. For jeans/bottoms using heavier weight denim or canvas use a denim needle for construction and a denim or topstitching needle for topstitching. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Knits - for knits with spandex content use a stretch needle typically size 70-75. For a 100% cotton or linen jersey use a 70-80 jersey/ball point. For sewing swimwear and/or elastic use a stretch needle.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
P.S. Under each fabric listing on our website we include the needle size/type suggestion, yay!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Thread:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
In general, an all purpose thread eg. Gutermann Sew-All thread (100% poly) will work for all types of projects. There are also 100% cotton threads out there but keep in mind they tend to break down more quickly over time which is their earth-friendly benefit but something to consider if you want your garment to last a very long time. For bra making/activewear we suggest Gutermann Mara 120 or a thread labelled “Tex 18" to "Tex 27"; this lighter weight thread is less abrasive when sitting close to the skin. “Woolly Nylon” is a fluffy textured thread also recommended for seams that lay against the skin eg. swimwear. A favourite for topstitching or outerwear is Gutermann Mara 70 (Tex 40).