I About The Needle; I Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations - Brother NC21SE Operation Manual

I About the Needle

The sewing machine needle is probably the most important part of the sewing machine. Choosing the proper
needle for your sewing project will result in a beautiful finish and fewer problems. Below are some things to keep
in mind about needles.
• The smaller the needle number, the finer the needle. As the numbers increase, the needles get thicker.
• Use fine needles with lightweight fabrics, and thicker needles with heavyweight fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 with stretch fabrics.
• To avoid skipped stitches, use ball point needle (golden colored) 90/14 when sewing character or decorative
stitches.
• Use needle 75/11 for embroidery. Use ball point needle 75/107 for embroidering patterns with short jump
stitches such as alphabet characters when the thread trimming function is turned on. Ball point needles
(golden colored) 90/14 are not recommended for embroidery, as they may bend or break, causing injury.
• It is recommended that a 90/14 needle should be used when embroidering on heavyweight fabrics or
stabilizing products (for example, denim, puffy foam, etc.). A 75/11 needle may bend or break, which could
result in injury.
• A home sewing machine needle 75/11 is inserted in the sewing machine.

I Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations

The following table provides information concerning the appropriate thread and needle for various fabrics.
Please refer to this table when selecting a thread and needle for the fabric you wish to use.
Fabric
Medium weight fabric
Lightweight fabric
Heavyweight fabric
Stretch fabric
Easily frayed fabrics
For top stitching
Memo
For transparent nylon thread, always use needle 90/14 - 100/16.
The same thread is usually used for the bobbin thread and upper threading.
• Be sure to follow the needle, thread, and fabric combinations listed in the table. Using an improper
combination, especially a heavyweight fabric (i.e., denim) with a small needle (i.e., 65/9 - 75/11), may
cause the needle to bend or break, and lead to injury. Also, the seam may be uneven, the fabric may
pucker, or the machine may skip stitches.
Broadcloth Cotton
Taffeta Synthetic mercerized
Flannel, Gabardine Silk or silk finished
Lawn, Batiste Cotton
Georgette Synthetic mercerized
Challis, Satin Silk
Denim Cotton
Corduroy Synthetic mercerized
Tweed Silk
Jersey Thread for knits
Tricot
Cotton thread
Synthetic thread
Silk thread
Synthetic mercerized
Silk
CAUTION
CHANGING THE NEEDLE
Thread
Type Size
60 - 80
60 - 80
50
60 - 80
60 - 80
50
30 - 50
50
50
50 - 60
50 - 80
50
30
30
1
Size of needle
75/11 - 90/14
65/9 - 75/11
90/14 - 100/16
Ball point needle
(golden colored)
75/11 - 90/14
65/9 - 90/14
90/14 - 100/16
41