TO THE POINT:

SELECTING THE RIGHT NEEDLE FOR THE JOB

When beginning a sewing project, carefully consider your needle choice. There’s
nothing worse than ruining your fabulous fabric simply because you used the wrong
needle for the job. Take into consideration the type of fabric you are sewing, the
weight of the fabric, and the type of stitch you plan on using.

Our chart at the bottom of the page will help you determine what size and type of
needle you'll need for your garment. Keep reading and learn more about the
different types of needles Fabricland carries.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEWING MACHINE NEEDLES

Ball Point | Denim | Double | Embroidery | Leather | Microtex/Sharp | Quilting |

Stretch | Universal | Serger| Microfibre

Click on the picture for a closer look at some examples.

BALL POINT

For coarse knitwear and curtain material. Use medium ball point on knitted
materials.

Klassé Available Sizes: 12/80, 14/90, assorted

Unique Available Sizes: 9/70, 11/80, 14/90, 16/100, and assorted (9/70 – 16/100)
packs

DENIM

For tightly woven fabrics, imitation leather, denim (jeans), and similar densely
woven materials.

Unique & Klassé Available Sizes:16/100, assorted packs

DOUBLE
For pin tucking, ornamental seams. Constructed with two needles on a crossbar
from a single shaft. Can be used with zig zag sewing machines that thread front to
back. Sews two rows of stitching at the same time.

Klassé Available Sizes: Twin Universal 12/80, Twin Ballpoint 12/80 2mm, and Twin
Stretch 11/75

EMBROIDERY (Machine)

For embroidering with metallic or decorative threads. For use with rayon and
specialty machine embroidery thread.

Unique & Klassé Available Sizes:12/80, assorted packs

LEATHER

For leather, imitation leather, and similar fabrics. Has a slight cutting point for
leather and heavy non-woven synthetics.

Unique Available Sizes: assorted packs

Klassé Available Sizes: assorted packs

MICROTEX/ SHARP

For silk and microfibre fabrics. Sharp point for perfectly straight stitches. For use in
topstitching or edge stitching applications on silk and microfibre fabrics.

Unique Available Sizes: 9/70, 11/80, 14/90, 16/100, and assorted (9/70 – 16/100)
packs.

Klassé Available Sizes: 12/80, and assorted packs.

QUILTING

For quilting and patchwork. Special taper to point prevents damage to the sensitive,
expensive materials used in quilting.

Unique Available Sizes: Assorted (9/70 – 14/90) packs

Klassé Available Sizes: 12/80

STRETCH

For highly elastic knitwear. For synthetic suedes and elastic knitwear. Special
construction prevents skipped stitches.

Klassé Available Sizes: 11/75, assorted packs

UNIVERSAL

For the majority of fabrics, also jerseys, synthetics, etc. For all general sewing or
most woven and knit materials. For use in all household sewing machine brands and
types for which needles with a flat shank are required.

Unique Available Sizes: assorted packs

Klassé Available Sizes: 70/12, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16, assorted

SERGER

Needles for your serger.

Klassé Available Sizes:

Serger A 80/12, round shank -Babylock 605, 205, 305; Husqilock 430, 440; Janome
MA3, MA4; Pfaff 794, 795: right 796

Serger B 80/12, short shank- Brother 525; Janome 603; Babylock 406, 407, 408;
Singer IOUJ12; Pfaff 603,603A, 793

Serger C 80/12, Ball point flat shank- Janome/New Home 134, 134D, 234, 234D,
203, 304, 304D, 434D, 404D, 534, 534D, Series II 634D; Husqilock 540, 550, 550D
341D

MICROFIBRE

For use on delicate fabrics like silk and synthetic fibers.

Klassé Available Sizes: assorted packs

FABRIC WEIGHT:

THE DETERMINING FACTOR

Having trouble deciding which size needle you need for your home sewing project?
Look no further. Fabricland has the sewlution! See below for fabric weight, needle
size ratios.

FABRIC WEIGHT FABRIC (EXAMPLES) NEEDLE SIZE AND TYPE

Sheer to Lightweight

Chiffon, gauze, georgette, fine lace, net, organza, voile, tulle

9/70

Microtex/ Sharp

Lightweight

Silk, shirtings, gingham, broadcloth, oxford cloth, lightweight linens, chambray,

seersucker, tricot, eyelet, challis, organdy, muslin, piqué

9/70

11/75

Microtex/ Sharp

Light to Mediumweight knits

cotton knits, tricot, cotton/polyester knits, jersey knits, light sweater knits, stretch
terry, stretch velour

11/80
14/90

Ballpoint

Stretch for elastic knitwear

Mediumweight

Cotton, wool, wool flannel, rayon, linen and linen types, chintz, wool crepe,
gabardine, chino, poplin, denim, corduroy, velvet, velveteen, velour, taffeta, satin,
double knits, sweater knits

11/80

14/90

Ballpoint for knits &

curtain material

Mediumweight/ Suiting Weight

Wool, wool blends, tweeds, flannels, gabardine, twill, mohair, boucle, heavy poplin,
heavy denim, double knits, quilted fabrics

14/90

16/100

Medium to Heavyweight Wool, wool blends, heavy wool, flannel, fake fur, fleece,
canvas, heavy cotton duck, coating, sailcloth, upholstery fabric

16/100

18/110
No grain (Nonwoven) Leather, leather-look, suede, suede-look, reptile (natural
and man-made), buckskin, calfskin, plastic, felt

14/90

16/100

Microtex/ Sharp

Denim

Stretch for synthetic suede

DON’T FORGET TO CHANGE NEEDLES

It is recommended that you change your needle after sewing one to two garments,
or after hitting a pin. If you are doing a rather large project, you may wish to change
your needle part way through to ensure you do not ruin your project. A bent, blunt,
or burred needle often damages fabric.