As someone who is passionate about sewing, you probably want nothing but the best materials for your sewing. To make your best creations, you’ll need a high-quality sewing machine as well the best needles to go with it. Cheap needles will cost you more in the long run because they break easily and need to be replaced often.
The good news is that if you are looking for the best sewing machine needles, there are many brands to choose from. This article will help you narrow down those options to help you choose from only the best brands of sewing machine needles. To do this, it will analyze the top needle brands in the market today.
All the brands in this list offer top of the line products when it comes to sewing needles. However, if you are looking for the best of the best, the 50 Schmetz Universal Sewing Machine needle stands out. It is compatible with almost all modern household sewing machines. It also has 50 universal sewing needles, which will be more than enough for any sewing project. The needles also have slightly rounded points that are perfect for several applications.
Table of Contents
Top Sewing Machine Needles
To come up with this list, the following factors were considered: needle size, needle system, needle type, and the suitability of the needles to various machines. Extra features also gave additional points to specific options.
Here is a list of the best needles in the market today to help you choose one that will suit your needs:
1. 50 Schmetz Universal Sewing Machine Needles
50 is a good number of needles to last you a while, even if you break one needle a week. However, this does not mean that the set is not durable. Needles from this brand should remain in pristine condition for a long time as long as you use them correctly.
When you buy the Schmetz Universal Sewing Machine Needles, you get five cards each lined with 10 universal needles. Because they are universal, you can use them on a variety of fabrics. However, the sturdier the fabric, the easier it’ll be to damage the needles.
The needle system is 130/705, meaning that it is compatible with most home sewing machines. The needles also have rounded tips that slip through yarns instead of cutting through them. This makes them ideal for fabrics that unravel easily when cut.
Features
- Machine Types: all household sewing machines.
- Needle Type: universal
- Needle Size: 70/10, 80/12, 90/14
Other Features: Five cards of 10 needles each, 130/705H needle system, slightly rounded point. Works well with knits and weaves.
Pros
- A good number of needles(50).
- Compatible with almost all home sewing machines
- Universal. Works with most fabrics.
- Different needle sizes in the package
Cons
- Needles for more robust materials are not included.
2. Groz-Beckert Sewing Machine Needles
If you have a pre-owned flat sewing machine, the Groz-Beckert Sewing Machine Needles are the ideal needle option for it. This brand comes with variable needle sizes making it a versatile set to own. It is also one of the more affordable sets of needles in the market.
Features
- Machine Types: most industrial, flat sewing machines
- Needle Type: ballpoint
- Needle Size: 70/10, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16, 110/18
Other Features: Have a round shank, needle system DB X 1, Nm 1738, 16 X 257, 71 X 1, 16 X 231, 287 WH and 38cm long.
Pros
- Compatible with most industrial & commercial sewing machines.
- Relatively affordable.
- Versatility due to the different sizes included in the package.
Cons
- It is not ideal for use with several household sewing machines
3. Honeysew Blue, Purple, Red Tip Needles
This variety set is good to have lying around since it allows you to handle different types of sewing jobs with one purchase. This option comes with three sets each having five pieces.
The needles are color-coded. The purple-tipped needles are designed for stretch fabrics. The blue-tipped needles are specially designed for embroidery since they have an oversized eye. The red-tipped needles are universal.
Features
- Machine Types: most domestic sewing machines
- Needle type: ballpoint, stretch, universal
- Needle size: 11, 14
Other Features: Blue tip needle has an oversized eye to accommodate an embroidery thread. The purple tip needle has a specially designed “Cobra Head.”
Pros
- Comes in a variety of types and sizes
- Color coding helps to differentiate needles easily
- Works with domestic sewing machines
Cons
- They are not ideal for commercial applications
4. Schmetz Microtex Sewing Machine Needles
The brand Schmetz makes these specialty needles. These needles work well with any household machine. Each package comes with microtex needles of size 70/10. They are best-suited for fabrics like leather and polyester.
Features
- Machine types: for all household sewing machines
- Needle Type: Microtex(sharps)
- Needle Size: 70/10
Additional Features: 100 needles/box, Needle system 130/705H, for microfibers, polyester, silk, artificial leather and coated materials.
Pros
- Works with different fabrics such as polyester, foils, coated material, and artificial leather.
- Best for quilting.
Cons
- It is one of the the most expensive on this list
5. SCHMETZ Universal – size 90/14
The SCHMETZ Universal – Size 90/14 is a needle set that works well with almost all types of home sewing machine. The needles come in a rather simple packaging, with just a single box holding all these needles. It uses the 130/705H(15×1) needle system, which makes it compatible with most household sewing machines.
The needles are also universal, meaning they work well with most woven fabrics. Because of its needle size, it can also pierce through finely woven fabrics like silk and more.
Features
- Machine types: all household sewing machines
- Needle type: universal
- Needle size: 90/14
Additional Features: 130/705H(15×1) needle system, general-purpose needles for woven fabrics, the needles have a medium sharp point, the top is flat and has a groove at the eye area.
Pros
- Works well with finely woven fabrics.
- Comes with a good number of needles(100 in total).
Cons
- A little pricey for a set of needles
6. SCHMETZ Universal – Size 75/11
This is also a 100 needle set. It is also a universal set of needles, giving you many fabric options to work with. However, the needles don’t work well on denim, corduroy or other tougher materials. If you need to layer your fabrics, though, they are a great option to work with. The rounded needle point will prevent damage to threads which may cause yarns to unravel.
Features
- Machine Type: all household sewing machines
- Needle Type: universal
- Needle Size: 75/11
Additional Features: 130/705H(15×1) needle system. The needles have a slightly rounded point. They come in a bulk package with 100 needles/box.
Pros
- Needles come in a bulk package
- Compatible to almost all household sewing machines
- The needles work well even with the layering of fabrics
Cons
- This set is a bit pricey compared to other sets. However, it compensates for this with a large number of needles.
7. SINGER MULTI4758 Heavy Duty Machine Needles
This is a great option if you need to sew tougher materials like denim. The needles come with a stiff shaft and sharp tip making them ideal for tough sewing projects. They come as a six-pack, each having three needles. They are compatible with most popular sewing machine brands like Singer, Brother, and Kenmore sewing machines.
Features
- Machine types: Works well with all quality sewing machines.
- Needle type: Universal.
- Needle size: 110/18.
Additional Features: Color coding, 6 pack, mainly for use on very heavy fabrics such as denim, canvas and corduroy.
Pros
- Compatible with several sewing machine brands.
- The needles work with tougher fabrics.
- The needles are color-coded and the holders are marked according to size.
Cons
- The needles cannot be used on fine fabrics because they will easily cause damage.
8. ORGAN Flat Shank – size 70/10
These needles are universal type needles, meaning you won’t have a problem handling woven fabrics and knits. The needles are also ball pointed, minimizing the damage to any fabric that you’ll sew. They are also compatible with most sewing machines.
Features
- Machine types: domestic sewing machines
- Needle Type: universal
- Needle size: 70/10
Additional Features: 130/705H(15×1) needle system. Flat shank needle. Have a slightly rounded point.
Pros
- Works with all domestic sewing machines.
- Works with a variety of knit and woven fabrics.
- Relatively inexpensive.
Cons
- May break when used with heavier fabric
Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Needles
The right sewing machine needle for you will depend on your sewing style, the fabric you work with most, and the machine you use. It is important to experiment with several different options to find the perfect fit for your style and your machine.
Different needles types and brands work differently depending on the machines they are used on. If you are having problems with your needle, consider trying another brand or the next size up or down.
How Often Should You Replace Your Sewing Needles?
Needles are not made to last forever. On average, they may need to be replaced after about 6 – 8 hours of continuous usage. While this may seem like a short lifespan, needles are quite cheap and easy to replace. Replacing them frequently will give you good, consistent results whenever you sit down at your sewing machine to sew.
If you accidentally hit a pin while sewing, stop and immediately change the needle because you will have damaged the needlepoint.
How To Unplug your sewing machine.
The first thing you have to do is remove the old needle if it is still in place. To do this, loosen the screw at the top if your sewing machine has it, then safely and quickly remove the spent needle.
Slotting in the new needle is equally easy. All you have to do is make sure you insert the needle the right side up. Check to see that the needle has a shank, or a rounded, flat part. Then insert the needle’s shank into the groove. Tighten the screw to fasten the needle in place. Make sure that you’ve got the correct needle size and type.
Needle Numbers and What They Mean
There are two prominent numbers displayed on every needle packaging. You’ll notice that there is a slash(/) to divide the numbers. For instance, 80/12.
The larger the number, the thicker the needle. The larger number to the left represents the European sizing system which ranges from 60 to 120. The right-hand side number represents the American sizing system that ranges from 8 to 20.
Common sewing machine needle sizes are 60/8, 70/10, 75/11, 80/12, 90/14 and 100/16.
Final Thoughts
As you choose the best sewing machine needle brand for your project, you should also keep in mind that your choice of sizing is just as important. Usually, the numbers on sewing machine needle packages correspond to the thickness of the fabric that you can sew with the needles. Larger numbers mean can sew thicker fabric.
