How To Change Needle On Sewing Machine

Nothing lasts forever, so machine parts need replacement from time to time. Sewing machine needles are not an exception. Being the movable part of a sewing machine, it’s inevitable for a needle to wear out. Also, you may think that you need to change a sewing machine needle when you start a new project. This article is about ways how to change needle on sewing machine.

Why Do I Need To Change The Needle?

There are plenty of reasons why the sewing machine needle can not be used anymore.

• The needle is broken, bent or dull
• There’s resistance during the work with the fabric
• There’s a distinctive clunking sound
• You hear or feel the needle catching the fabric
• There’s something wrong with the tension during the work
• There are a lot of broken threads
• There are a lot of skipped or botched stitches

What Are the Interchangeable Sewing Machine Needles?

Besides damage or other needle issues, you may need to change it because you need different needles and sewing modes for different projects. Different fabrics require different treatments, so you should have a full needle set for comfortable work. Many tailors think that sewing machine needles should be changed before every big project. It lets the tailor get the maximum quality of stitching.

If you have some doubts about money, don’t be afraid: a full sewing machine needle set is not very expensive. You can buy a high-quality set for a few dollars. Saying it in other words: sewing machine needles are seen as expendable, so changing them should not be complicated. You can install a new needle without any problems.

Sewing Machine Needles Types:

Universal needles

Just like any other device, sewing machines have all-around solutions for everyday use. A universal needle may be not suitable for every fabric you use, but it is very good for cotton and linen.

Quilting needles

There are special needles suited for quilting, as the name suggests. They are good for multi-layer wadding and give you even stitches.

Sharps needles

Said needles are perfect for quilting extremely tough fabrics and have excessive puncture power. Sharps needle is the perfect choice for constant work with heavy-duty fabrics.

Leather needles

As you can see, those needles are designed for working with leather (or, optionally, suede). These needles have to be tough and more or less long-lasting.

Stretch needles

You can use said needle type for stretch fabrics that need some experience (as the stretch may be tricky)

Ball-point needles

Ball-point needles should be used for knit fabrics.

How Frequently The Sewing Machine Needles Should Be Changed?

It depends on many factors. First, it depends on the sewing machine type. Quilting machines, for example, require needle changes more frequently than standard sewers. The average time between the needle changes is 10 hours of continuous sewing. Saying it in other words: you will need to install a new needle rather frequently.

How To Change Needle On Sewing Machine?

After the quick review, let’s take a look at ways to change the sewing machine needle.

The first step is turning the machine off. You can buy a new needle or a new sewing machine, but you will never buy new fingers.

Then, raise the presser foot. It can be done by raising the presser foot lever. Put the paper, fabric, or plastic under the presser’s foot to prevent it from falling and contact with the machine.

After you safely lowered the pressing foot, raise the needle to the highest position. Having enough space for changing the needle is very important. It makes the changing process more comfortable and safe.

Hold the needle while you’re unscrewing the needle clamp screw. It is usually enough to loosen the screw, so you may not need to unscrew it completely. Usually, it unscrews contraclockwise.

After all said operations, remove the needle. Put the broken (or dull) needle into a recycled needles box. You shouldn’t keep worn-out needles, both for safety and ergonomics reasons.

You should check the replacement needle before inserting it into a needle clamp of your sewing machine. Maybe it’s bent or dull. The best way to see it is to place the needle on a table (or any other flat surface). If you see that the distance between the surface and the needle tip is different, you should not use the said needle.

After you checked the new needle, insert it into the needle clamp and screw (or tighten) the needle clamp screw again. If you performed it correctly, the sewing machine is ready for use.

Some manufacturers (like Brother or Singer) offer customers special devices designed for changing the needles in sewing machines. It lets you insert the new needle into the pressing foot without using your hands, which makes the needle changing safer for you.

What Is The Color Code For Sewing Machine Needles?

When you are picking the sewing needle for your next project, check the color marks for every one of them. Each needle is marked with one color, which tells the master about the needle size. Don’t forget: every sewing machine manufacturer has its own color system, so check the manual before selecting the needle for your next work.

How Can I Differ The Sewing Machine Needle From the Average Manual Needle?

There is a wide variety of handicraft tools nowadays. Some sewers are afraid of mistaking the sewing machine needle with the one used for manual sewing. It is difficult to take them for each other. The sewing machine needle has a very distinctive shank that is thicker than the bottom part of the needle. Such a thick shank is needed for installing the needle into a needle clamp.

Conclusion

Replacing the needle in a sewing machine is not difficult, as you can see. It is not expensive, too. You can do it quickly. However, you should always remember the safety rules. For example, never change a needle if a sewing machine is turned on. And always keep the broken needles away from the needle set you are going to use. There shouldn’t be a disorder in your work.

Read also: How to thread a sewing machine in 7 smart steps