Which needle to use for embroidery

What is the ideal needle for embroidery?

High-twist threads can be more difficult to thread a needle, since the thread does not easily flatten out to pass through the eye. If you look closely at the eye of a needle, regardless of type, it will be elongated rather than round, so it helps to fit the thread into the eye. Whichever type of needle you choose, make sure the eye is large enough to allow the thread to pass through effortlessly without hindrance.

Silk, wool, cotton...

For embroidery we are lucky to have a wide range of fibers available and there are some exciting new ones such as soybean and bamboo coming onto the market. Fiber choice can be determined by a number of factors, including appearance, performance and care requirements.

Cotton is the most popular thread for embroidery and comes in a variety of finishes: woven cotton, soft cotton, pearl cotton, and broder (also known as coton à broder) are widely available. Cotton threads are generally colorfast (beware of some dyed threads) and have a medium sheen, but cotton is not a strong fiber and can wrinkle easily if not handled properly.

Silk also comes in various types; braids, buttonholes, beads and silk threads. These are some of the most common themes. Silk has a wonderful sheen, is incredibly strong, but doesn't always dye quickly, so check the care label on the silk. Threads fall into two basic categories: spun silk threads, where short fibers are spun together, and silk threads, where the silk threads continue the filament and unwind from the cocoon. Dental floss has superior strength and excellent shine, but it can be very difficult to use.

Wool is a wonderful fiber for embroidery because it is soft, warm, and incredibly forgiving. It has a dull fibrous surface and is available in various weights from raw upholstery wool to fine crewel yarns. Wool yarns are washable, colorfast, and reasonably strong. However, they can vary in appearance and durability depending on the type of wool used. For example, Shetland wool fiber is thick and strong. but merino is fine, soft and smooth.

No other yarn evokes a love/hate relationship like rayon. Made of cellulose, rayon threads are incomparably very bright and very strong, but they also have an elastic mind, their very quality makes them difficult to use and consequently disliked by some embroiderers. Despite this, others love the shimmer and exciting way this yarn contrasts with low-sheen and matte yarns.

Here we present the different types of embroidery needles, in this video of LIZ MAXIMO:

Other fibers on the market

There are other fibers on the market, as well as countless blends, but it doesn't matter which one you choose. It is very important to always check the label for fiber content and care requirements. If you are unsure about the color fastness of a thread, sew a few stitches into the fabric and wash it immediately to check the colors.

Remember, some of the covered stitches seem to make little difference, but as your understanding of the nature of the materials you're using increases, you'll have much better control over the final look of your embroidery – it's often the small details. that matter. They make the difference between something. good and something great!

Needles

Embroidery needles come in such a wide variety of styles and sizes that it can be very confusing. How do you know which needle to take out of the package? The easiest way to avoid confusion is to familiarize yourself with the characteristics that make each needle unique. A good place to start is the type of eyes.

Needles can be classified as big-eyed or small-eyed. Big-eyed needles are easily identified by the long, narrow eye that makes them easier to thread. The large eye also creates a defined bulge at the end of the needle. Crewel, chenille, upholstery, and darning are all big-eyed needles.

crewel needle or embroidery needle

A crewel needle (sometimes known as an embroidery needle) is probably the most familiar needle. Crewel needles have a sharp point and are widely available in sizes 10 (fine) to 1 (coarse). They are used for most embroidery, as they are a good all-purpose needle.

chenille needles

Chenille needles resemble large Crewel needles and are used to embroider wool and silk ribbons. They also have a sharp point and are available in sizes 26 (fine) to 14 (coarse).

tapestry needles

Tapestry needles are very similar in size to chenille needles, the biggest difference being the stitch. A tapestry needle has a blunt point which makes it more suitable for embroidery, canvas, photography and drawing techniques, or any situation where it is important not to break the threads of the fabric. Tapestry needles are available in sizes 28 (fine) to 16 (coarse).

menders

Darning needles (sometimes known as wool yarn) can have a blunt or sharp slant and resemble large chenille or tapestry needles. Some darners also have a long shaft and are known as long coopers. They are used by knitters to sew clothes and are suitable for any thick yarn. Small-eyed needles have a small, round eye that makes little difference to the thickness of the shaft. Sharp needles, intermediate needles, hats, and all beading needles can be classified as small shank needles.

sharp needle

A sharp needle is a good all-purpose needle, especially suitable for Toxfine embroidery. Pencil sharpeners are typically available in sizes from 12 (fine), sometimes called a hand-applied needle, to 1 (coarse). Intermediate stitches (or quilting needles) are similar to sharp stitches but have a short shaft. Quilts traditionally use intermediate needles as they allow the seamstress to work quickly and smoothly.

hatter's needle

Millinery (straw) needles have a long handle and are indispensable for weaving metal knots with most types of yarn. Because the diameter of the needle changes very little along its length and the thread windings easily pull the needle. These needles were traditionally used by dressmakers to make hats. They are available in sizes 11 (thin) to 1 (thick).

beading needles

Beading needles have a very thin and long shaft shape and are not suitable for general embroidery as the shaft bends easily. They are specially made to sew very fine beads with small holes. Many pearls can be applied with a sharp or milliner's needle. The needles listed are the most commonly used for embroidery. Sewing instructions often include one or more project-specific needles. Often it is possible to replace another needle you already have.

The choice of the needle is something very personal. Some people prefer to use a crew. There are some embroidery techniques that require a specific needle, but for most tasks, choose a needle that is comfortable to use. Regardless of the type of needle you choose, it should be of good quality with a straight, smooth shaft and a clean eye. Discard any bent, bent, or damaged needles.

The eye of the needle

If the nickel plating begins to peel off the steel, it should be discarded as well, as it does not go through the fabric evenly and will rust when exposed to air. The eye of the needle should be large enough to hold the thread without tearing or distorting the twist of the thread. If the eye of the needle is too small or too tight, the thread will unwind when you pull.

The correct size of the needle

To choose the correct needle size for the thread, the needle shaft must be at least the same diameter as the thread so that when passing through the fabric, it opens a hole large enough for the thread to pass through without fraying. . Needles can be purchased as a single needle or in packs of various sizes. A pack of different sizes of each type of needle will make a good collection of needles. Keep needles clean and dry at all times. This is very important. You must throw away all damaged needles. Look, you'll get many hours of use out of these must-have embroidery tools.