How will you know when it’s time to change your sewing machine needle? An obvious answer is when it becomes bent, but what are the other signs? Evelyn Wood on YouTube shared 5 ways to determine if you need a new one. If you haven’t changed your needle for a long time, take this article as a sign. You might not notice it much, but if you look closely, you may see some skipped stitches and uneven seams.
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Believe it or not, you should change your sewing machine needle pretty often, or you may potentially damage your fabric. If you are working with an expensive fabric or one you love so much, a dull needle is a recipe for disaster. Watch the video below for the full explanation.
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When to Replace the Sewing Needle
1 – When you are having trouble with stitches
If you are getting a cotton lock, that’s the time to change the needles. Also, if the stitches no longer look as nice as they used to or you’re getting skipped stitches.
2 – Listen for the sound
Observe the sound of your sewing machine when you are sewing. If it’s different, this is your sign. Change your needle if your sewing machine sounds like it has to work harder to get through the fabric.
3 – When you start a nice, new, special project or fabric
If you have a special fabric that you really love, make sure your needle is new so you won’t run into problems.
4 – If you change your fabric type
Remember different fabrics require different needles. A knit is going to require a different needle than a satin or denim fabric.
5 – The touch test
If you have been using it for a while, gently tap the finger and feel it. If it’s a little bit blunt, it’s time to get a new one. If you compare the two, you can easily tell the difference. Just be very careful when doing this step.
5 Ways to Know When It’s Time to Change the Needle
