sewing machine needles Guide

Sizes Explained

Each needle has an American and European size to describe its thickness.

Bigger Number = Bigger Needle

Needles sizes are written as European/American size.

Picking a Size

Thicker fabric needs a thicker needle, and thinner fabric works best with a thinner needle.

Needle Point Types

There are also three "main" types of sewing machine needles: ballpoint, universal, and sharp point. 

Sharp Needles

Use these for tightly woven fabric or topstitching.

Ballpoint Needles

Use with stretchy, knit fabrics to prevent fabric damage and skipped stitches.

Universal Needles

The "jack-of-all trades" needle, these work well for most woven or knit fabrics.