Types of Sewing Needles

1. Hand-Sewing Needles

Hand-sewing needles are perfect for delicate work and precision tasks such as embroidery, quilting, and appliqué. Here are some key points about hand-sewing needles:

• They are smaller and finer than machine needles.
• Numbered from 1 to 12, with higher numbers indicating finer needles.
• Designed for specific tasks, from delicate beading to heavy-duty upholstery projects.

2. Machine Sewing Needles

Machine needles are specifically designed for sewing machines. Here’s what you need to know:

• Larger and more robust than hand-sewing needles.
• Blunt tips to prevent damage to both the machine and fabric.
• Available in various sizes and types for different fabrics and applications.

Anatomy of a Machine Sewing Needle

1. Butt: The beveled end at the top allows easy insertion into the needle bar of the sewing machine.
2. Shank: The wider part that goes into the machine. Household needles have a flat shank, while industrial needles may have round, threaded, or notched shanks.
3. Shoulder: The sloping area between the shank and the blade.
4. Blade: The width of the blade determines the needle size (e.g., 75/11 corresponds to a 0.75 mm blade width).

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