"It takes ages to finish a quilt you're not working on!"

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Who changes the needles in their sewing machine?

I'm ashamed to say that I don't. The only time I used to (40 years ago), is when I was making my own clothes from stretch fabric (remember those "Knit-wit" classes and patterns?). We were taught to use the needles with a rounded point so they wouldn't tear the stretch fabric. If I have to alter a hem or seam on a pair of track pants or other stretchy material, I will hunt for my special needle to do the job, but other than that....I haven't changed the needle in my machine for years. I think the last time I did was when it broke! Had no choice that time!
The reason this subject came to mind was when I was reading Mary's blog Molly Flanders, and she posted an item about some new cotton she was using, and the special needle to go with it. I wondered what she would think of me using the same needle for years on everything I sew! I did post a comment to that effect on her blog, but as there were 150 other comments, mine will probably get lost in the crush, lol! She is hosting a giveaway of those new cottons, hence the heap of comments.

10 comments:

Jane said...

I don't change mine as often as my mum, she used to break two or three everytime she got the machine out, lol

Gina E. said...

OMG!!! How did she do that - sewing on leather or denim?!

Baker_ia said...

I change my needle pretty regular probably not as often as they say but my machine starts skipping stitches then I change the needle. It seems to have it's own regular timer on needles

Liz in Kansas said...

I have a wide selection of machine needles and, for awhile, I carefully changed needles to match the thread and function of each project. But, that got to be kind of a hassle after awhile and now I am back to the "real" me and use one needle until it breaks or skips! ;-)

Annie said...

I hardly ever change. Something has to be going wrong and I change the needle in hopes that solves the problem. It's usually something else entirely!

Doreen G said...

Naughty Gina(and the others).
I used to work for Bernina and I soon learned how important it is to change your needles regularly.If you don't sew very often then it is not a problem but if you use your machine a lot then get into the habit you will notice the difference.
I usually have a Jeans 80 needle in my machine it is good for everything--it is strong and has a big eye in it.

artymess said...

Gina I am in your gang ......I only change a needle if one breaks too ...x

Joanne said...

Sometimes I'll remember to change it at the beginning of a new project but more often I forget and do it if I break a needle. If I'm doing stretch or a very fine fabric or if I begin to notice a 'pop..pop..pop' indicating a blunt needle. :)

Sherri said...

Alas, I too only change my needles when they break. Sometime that's a lot. I never learned the fine points of the different kind of machine needles. I guess if I knew them as well as I know tapestry needles, I change them more often.

Gina, thanks so much for your post. My finches are doing fine although I've lost a few of my originals from old age.

Take care!
Sherri

Gina E. said...

Ha ha! I think this is so funny!! I just posted this topic on a whim, and I got more comments than I've had for ages! Thanks everyone, and thank you Doreen for gently rebuking us all. I'm going to go out and find some of those Jeans 80 needles - anything that has a bigger eye than a mosquito (like the needle in my machine now) has to be good!