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
PRODUCT TUTORIAL
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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
PRODUCT TUTORIAL
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
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
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
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
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
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
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
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
PRODUCT TUTORIAL
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
UPHOLSTERYNEEDLES
DOUBLE POINTEDNEEDLE
SPECIALIZED, HOME AND CRAFT NEEDLES
Needles are shown at 100% size
How to Choosethe Correct Needle
PRODUCT TUTORIAL
© PRYM CONSUMER USA
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