Embroidery Newsletter - StitchFun News

Needle Questions

Question. How do I choose the best needle size?
Answer. The diameter of the thread is the most important factor in choosing a needle size. It is always safer to choose too large rather that too small. Using a too small needle is like trying to push a shoelace through a too small eyelet and will result in the thread shredding at the needle. If you see a lot of lint buildup at the needle, either the thread is low quality or the needle is too small. If you choose a too large needle, you might see some needle holes not completely filled by the thread. If that is the case, give the quilt top a good shake and the fabric fibers should close up around the thread and close the holes.

Question. Why are there different needle size standards such as #90, #14, and the MR scale?
Answer. It's all marketing. The only accurate and meaningful scale is the metric scale (#70, 80, 90, 100, etc.) which is the measurement of the diameter of the needle shaft in percentage of a millimeter. A size 90 needle is 90% of one millimeter wide. The corresponding number (10, 12, 14, 16, etc.) often used in the U.S. is an arbitrary number assigned to the accurate metric number. Most home-use needles use both numbers, resulting is labeling like this: 70/10, 80/12, 90/14, 100/16 and so on.
Longarm needles have their own two sets of needle measurements: the metric scale similar to the home needle measurement system, and the MR scale which was developed by Singer and is not based on the metric measurement scale. The metric scale is the more accurate scale. There are different opinions in interpreting MR and metric conversion charts. This is the accurate chart:

MR 3.0 = #16/100
MR 3.5 = #18/110
MR 4.0 = #19/120
MR 4.5 = #20/125 or #21/130
MR 5.0 = #22/140

Next issue: what goes into making a design?

from Bob Purcell of Superior Threads

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