Hand sewing needles are available in many

sizes and shapes. How do you choose when so many appear to be similar? Close examination shows that there are important differences – needle length, shaft diameter, type of point and size of the eye all all different and have a reason for being. So where do you start?

If you are choosing a needle, you probably already have a project in mind. Most needles are named for an intended project. Check our needle charts on the following pages. If you don’t see the specific needle you need by name, think of what that needle has to do for you. Knowing what the needle needs to do (handle heavy thread, sew through vinyl, or leave a very tiny hole) is a great place to start.

Still not sure which needle is correct? Purchase an assortment and test each until you like the result. A needle should always be comfortable in your hand. You may prefer a needle named for another technique. For example, many people use “Betweens” because they like the tiny hole it makes, no matter what the project is. Or perhaps the larger “Embroidery” needle is easier for your fingers to hold. Each style comes in several sizes.

To keep your

fingers from fatigue, choose

a needle that feels comfortable

in your hand.

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

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Let’s examine the features of a needle:

1. The Eye of the needle varies in size and

shape. It is designed to accommodate the

most commonly used threads used in the

project for which it was named. For

example, embroidery needles have a long,

slender eye to handle decorative threads,

while a betweens needle has a tiny

rounded eye to handle the fine threads required for quilting.

2. Size refers to the Shaft of the needle.

The larger the size number, the smaller

the shaft of the needle. Some needles that

are especially long, such as doll needles,

are labeled by length only. To complete a

doll or decorating project a particular

length is required. See the needle chart to

compare lengths of various needles.

3. The Point of the needle varies

depending on the end use. Most needles

have a sharp point. Other needles have

points with shapes designed for specific fabrics or techniques. For example, a

rounded tip works best for tapestry and

knits so it can slip through thread fibers. A wedge-shaped point pierces leather and

vinyl without distortion.

What are the parts called?

Size: The larger the numberthe smaller the needle. Thesize of the shaft has nothing to do with the length of the needle.

Eye: short, round, long –whatever is best for thethread and material.

Point: The type of point is not listed on the package.The project or materialdetermines the type required – rounded, sharp, wedge-shaped – all have a special purpose.

Shaft

Eye

Point

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

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QUILTINGBETWEENNEEDLES

BALL POINTNEEDLES

RIBBON EMBROIDERYNEEDLES

CHEN

ILLE

CHEN

ILLE

TAPE

STRY

SHARPSNEEDLES

HOUSEHOLDNEEDLES

EASY THREADNEEDLES

EMBROIDERYNEEDLES

EMBR

OIDE

RYBE

ADIN

G

Sz9

Sz10

Sz5

Sz7

Sz3

Sz9

Sz5

Sz7

Sz3

Sz8/9

Sz10

Sz5

Sz7

Sz8

Sz10

Sz10

Also k

nown

as Ap

pliqu

é Sha

rps Sz

8Sz4

Sz6

Sz8

Sz1

Sz5

Sz7

Sz7

Sz3

Sz9

Sz9Sz

8

Sz1 Sz

20Sz18

Sail LeatherSack Canvas Carpet Curved

REPAIR NEEDLES

3”

2”

Darners

Sharps

Sz24

SPECIALIZEDASSORTMENTS

NEEDLES FOR EVERYDAY USE

Follow coloredstripe lines to tape

at right to check length of

designatedneedle.

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

PRODUCT TUTORIAL

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Needles are shown at 100% size

QUILTER’SBASTINGNEEDLES

BEADINGNEEDLES

YARN DARNERNEEDLES

TAPESTRYNEEDLES

CHENILLENEEDLES

MILLINERSNEEDLES

SASHIKOGOLD EYENEEDLES

COTTON DARNERNEEDLES

GLOVERS/LEATHERNEEDLES

Sz18 Sz

17 Sz16

Sz5 Sz

3

Sz5

Sz7

Sz3

Sz5

Sz7

Sz3

Sz9

Sz10

Sz10

Shor

t

Sz11/12

Sz13

Sz7

Sz2

Sz1

Sz15

Sz14

CREWELNEEDLES

CURVEDQUILTING NEEDLES

2”

2-1/2”Sz24

Sz26

Sz22 Sz

20Sz18

Sz22 Sz

20Sz18

Sz16

SPECIALIZED NEEDLES

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

PRODUCT TUTORIAL

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Needles are shown at 100% size

Follow coloredstripe lines to tape

at right to check length of

designatedneedle.

DOLLNEEDLES

PLASTICNEEDLES

DECORATORNEEDLES

CURVED UPHOLSTERYNEEDLES

SOFT

SCUL

PTUR

E DOL

L

Sz4

Sz2

Sz1

6”

5”

4”

3”

LongDarners

SPECIALIZED, HOME AND CRAFT NEEDLES

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

PRODUCT TUTORIAL

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Needles are shown at 100% size

Follow coloredstripe lines to tape

at right to check length of

designatedneedle.

6 inche

s long

8 inche

s long

10 in

ches lo

ng10

inche

s long

12 in

ches lo

ng

Due to the lengthof these needles,

the length has been labeled by each

needle.

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

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UPHOLSTERYNEEDLES

DOUBLE POINTEDNEEDLE

SPECIALIZED, HOME AND CRAFT NEEDLES

Needles are shown at 100% size

How to Choosethe Correct Needle

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NEEDLES FOR EVERYDAY

In summary: We have shown you all the different needles with their respective sizes and uses. Below is a quick reference chart highlighting the features and specialized uses for each needle.

It is important for a needle to be comfortable in your hand. Just because it has a named use, does not mean that you can only use it for that technique. A quilting between can be used for more than quilting, just as an embroidery needle can be used for more than embroidery.Here are some examples:The only difference between a sharp and embroidery needle is the eye. If you are having trouble threading your needle, switch to an embroidery style for a larger eye.A size 7 Quilting Between, size 7 Sharp, and size 7 Milliners all have the same eye, point, and shaft diameter. The only difference is in the length of the needle. Pick the one that is most comfortable to you and works best with your project.

Quilting BetweensBallpointSharpsEasy-threadingEmbroidery

Ribbon EmbroideryBeadingBastingMillinersGlovers/LeatherCrewelChenilleTapestryCotton DarnerCurvedPlasticDollDecorator/upholsteryDouble point

SharpSlightly roundedSharpSharpSharp

SharpSharpSharpSharpWedgeSharpSharpBluntSharpSharpBluntSharpSharp2 sharp points

Small, roundSmall, roundSmall, roundSmall, round with slit on topLong, slender

Extra-long, slenderNarrowLong, slenderSmall, roundSmall, roundLong, slenderExtra longExtra longLong, slenderLongLong, wideLong, wideLong, wideLong, wide

Knits

Eye accommodates ribbonExtra slender for stringing beadsExtra-long for bastingExtra-long, hat makingDesigned to pierce leather

For thick threadsPasses between yarns easily

For quilting and upholsteryFor yarns

For upholstery construction

NAME EYE POINT

SPECIALIZED NEEDLES

USES