| The sewing machine needle is possibly the cheapest | | | | Domestic sewing machines have two standard needle |
| but certainly the most important moving part on your | | | | systems, American 15x1 and European 705B. Sewing |
| machine. Regardless of it's age, make and model or | | | | machines made over the past 45 to 50 years were |
| how much it cost, no sewing machine will make | | | | designed to use a needle that has a flat side on the |
| stitches unless it has a needle fitted. However, not just | | | | shank and confusion can happen when buying them if |
| any old needle will do. First of all it should be one from | | | | you do not know which type to ask for. When buying |
| the designated systems developed and manufactured | | | | needles the packets have the type of system and the |
| for your particular make and model. It must be | | | | size printed for guidance. Always quote these |
| perfectly straight. have a sharp point and also be | | | | numbers or take an old packet with you when buying |
| completely free of any burrs, scratches or any other | | | | needles for your sewing machine. |
| kind of damage, otherwise your sewing machine will | | | | Although modern domestic sewing machines use |
| not function properly. Not only does the machine | | | | needles that have a flat side on the shank there are |
| needle have to be the correct type and in perfect | | | | slight differences which are revealed by the needle |
| condition it must also be the right size with the correct | | | | system number. The differences in the needles can |
| type of needle point for the fabric being sewn and the | | | | cause sewing problems when the wrong system is |
| sewing threads being used. Last of all and probably the | | | | used on your sewing machine and on some models |
| most important the needle must be fitted correctly and | | | | result with serious damage to the sewing machine |
| has to be in the right way round. If the needle is not | | | | hook mechanism. Even experienced sewing machine |
| correctly fitted or is fitted in the wrong way round you | | | | users have problems with their machines because |
| could cause serious damage to the sewing hook | | | | they do not use the right needles or don't fit them |
| mechanism. | | | | properly. |