Variety of sewing machines
All sewing machines can be divided into two groups: household and industrial machines. With domestic everything is much easier. With these machines the needle is often already inserted. And if you do have to replace it, then there is no question of how to insert the needle into a domestic sewing machine, since the place in it for a tool made specifically for its shape, that is inserted it in the same way.
Somewhat more complicated is the case with industrial sewing machines, because if the needle is inserted incorrectly, the unit simply will not work. Insert a thread in most industrial machines should be from left to right. But it is also known that the thread is inserted from the long groove side and comes out from the short groove side. That is, when the needle is installed, you must pay attention to the fact that the long groove looks to the left and the short one to the right (exactly the opposite is the case in a domestic machine).
Design of a machine needle
When buying a sewing machine for the first time it is quite difficult to navigate in the instruction manual of the device. The most frequently asked questions are about the proper installation of the needle. This article will help to understand the problem once and for all. And the first thing you need to pay attention to is the type of machine. With household appliances is somewhat easier, since the design provides a special needle bar, where you need to install the needle only in one position. For owners of industrial machine models, installing a new needle will be much more difficult. Especially if the needle is slightly rotated or placed on the wrong side, the device will not work.
You also need to pay attention to the type of needle, because it is selected not only under the model of the machine, but also under the structure and thickness of thread used. Beginner seamstresses also find it difficult to thread the needle. The procedure is simple: the thread is inserted into the part of the needle with the long groove. For single line industrial sewing machines, the thread is usually threaded from left to right. To understand how to change a needle on a sewing machine, you need to understand its construction. The design of the needle used on completely different models of machine has undergone virtually no changes since its inception:
the ear, which passes into a short and long groove;
Flask with a flat cut, called a bald spot.
The location of the short and long groove can be determined by running your finger over the needle.
Ultrasound is another excellent substitute for a needle and thread. It allows the joining of fabrics by thermal welding. A special ultrasonic knife undercuts the surfaces to be worked, treating the inner workings. The result is an airtight stitch.
For quality machine stitching, the fabric and thread must match the machine needle number. For light materials, use fine threads (embroidery threads) and a 0-75 needle. For medium-density materials, use sewing threads and a 0-90 needle. For thicker fabrics, use thicker threads and needle 00, 110,120.
How to put a needle in a sewing machine
Before answering the question posed, let’s understand how a machine needle is made, and why it is so and not otherwise. Once you understand the purpose of the individual elements of a machine needle, you’ll never get confused about how to properly insert the needle into a machine.
How a machine needle works?
Ever since Singer patented her unusual (t.е. different from a hand needle) shape, the needle has undergone no changes, for there is nothing more to add to this ingeniously simple design.
All machines, both old and ultra-modern, use the same needle design:
The eye of the needle flows smoothly into the grooves, of which there are two on a machine needle:
The long groove is very easy to find with a thumb nail. Run your fingernail over the needle and you will definitely feel the groove that runs from the lug along the entire blade.
On the opposite side of the long groove is a short groove. In domestic sewing machine needles, the short groove is always located on the side of the flattened cut on the bulb.
How a sewing machine makes a stitch?
The needle pierces the fabric and the thread, coming from the bobbin, is pulled behind the point and lies in the long groove. Thanks to the long groove, the needle and thread pass through the material very easily.
But here the needle began to move upward: the thread lying in the long groove comes out unhindered. The thread from the short groove side gets stuck due to friction in the fabric. So when the needle is completely out of the material, a loop is formed at the bottom. The needle grips it and forms a stitch.
In the picture from the book of Z.Perle’s “A Tale of the Machine” the role of the shuttle is played by a mischievous boy)))
So why the long groove??
The thread hides in the long groove when the fabric is pierced. If the thread has nowhere to hide, it will tear!
Conclusion 1: The needle should always face the long groove in the direction from which the thread is threaded:
Here is a photo of a needle of Podolsk 142 machine, the Chaika has the same needle, the long groove is located on the side of the machine. And the thread is threaded on the working side, t.e away from you.
Conclusion 2: The thread and needle must match each other in thickness.
To find the right size needle and thread, take the needle in your hand with the long groove facing up, place the thread in the groove, and run your finger over the surface of the blade. If the thread is sticking out over the groove, it means the thread is too thick or the needle is too thin for the thread.
Use a thicker needle, but not so thick that the thread is too loose in the groove. This is also bad, but about that next time
Now that you understand how a machine stitch is made, you will never be confused about how to insert the needle into the machine, and why the thread number must match the needle number
HOW TO INSERT A NEEDLE IN A SEWING MACHINE?
Before answering your question, let’s understand how a machine needle is made, and why it is made this way and not that way. Once you understand the purpose of the individual parts of a machine needle, you will never be confused about how to insert the needle into the machine correctly.
How is a machine needle constructed??
Ever since Singer patented her unusual (t.е. different from the hand needle) shape, the needle has not undergone any changes, for there is nothing more to add to this ingeniously simple design.
All machines, both old and ultra-modern, use the same needle design:
The eye of the needle flows smoothly into the grooves, which the machine needle has two:
A long groove can be found very easily with a thumb nail. Run your fingernail over the needle and you will definitely feel the groove that runs from the eye along the entire blade.
On the opposite side of the long groove is a short groove. In needles for domestic sewing machine needles, the short groove is always located on the side of the bald 7. a flat cut on the bulb.
How a sewing machine forms a stitch?
The needle pierces the fabric, and the thread coming from the spool follows the point and lies in the long groove. Due to the long groove, the needle with thread passes through the material very easily.
But here the needle begins to move upwards: the thread lying in the long groove comes out unhindered. The thread on the short groove side is stuck due to friction in the fabric. So when the needle comes completely out of the fabric, a loop is formed at the bottom. The needle grips it to form a stitch.
In the picture from the book Z.Perlya “The Tale of a Machine” role of the shuttle is performed by a mischievous boy)))
So why do we need a long groove??
The thread hides in the long groove during the piercing. If the thread has nowhere to hide, it will tear!
Conclusion 1: The needle should always face the long groove in the direction from which the thread is threaded:
straight-stitch machines are usually on the left side, machines with zigzag stitch. most often on the front.
The photo needle machine “Podolsk 142”, the “Seagull” all the same, the long groove is located on the side of the working. And the thread is threaded from the operator’s side, i.e.e away from you.
Conclusion 2: the thread and the needle should match each other in thickness.
To match needle and thread to size, take the needle in your hand with the long groove upward, put the thread in the groove, and run your finger over the surface of the blade. If the thread is sticking out over the groove, the thread is too thick or the needle is too thin for the thread.
Use a thicker needle, but not so thick that the thread is too loose in the groove. This is also bad, but about that next time
Now that you understand how a machine stitch is formed, you will never confuse which side to insert the needle into the machine, and why the thread number must match the needle number.
How to choose sewing machine needles by number
Beginners should buy the few needles that are used most often. Each tool has its own number, these numbers indicate the diameter of the rod:
- For light fabrics such as chiffon and cambric needles should take 5 or 5, they are universal, as used in sewing blouses, shirts, dresses, shirts;
- for thicker fabrics such as cotton and wool needles 5, 0;
- For sewing articles of denim or coat cloth, woolen clothing should take thick needles, the best number 90 or 100, they are sharp, due to which quickly pierce the material;
- for knitted fabric, needles with numbers 70-80 will do well, if the fabric is dense enough, it is better to use tools marked 90;
- Highly elastic material, especially if it contains Lycra needs thinner sewing needles, numbers 65 and 70 are best.
Usually, the marking is indicated on the packaging, so pick up the needle with the required thickness is not difficult. Even a beginner can cope with the task, enough to consider a simple rule: the thicker the material, the thicker must be the working tool.
Step by step guide for changing a needle
Get a straight stitch without missing stitches or other defects can only be achieved with the right needle. There are a huge number of options, designed to perform different jobs.
When selecting a needle, you must consider its marking. Most standard machines use HAx1 or 130/705H. HAx1SP or ELx705 needles are used for flat stitch models.
Pay special attention to the type of fabric being sewn. Needles 60/6 (size 60 and thickness 6) are used for silk. For finer materials in general, products from 60/8 to 80/12 are recommended. Thicker needles can tear them. Specific recommendations should be specified in the fabric specifications.
Once a suitable needle has been selected, you can proceed directly to installing it in the machine. It is better to study the instructions for a particular model in advance, especially carefully reviewing the order of needle replacement. Depending on the design, it may vary. However, for a general understanding of the principles of operation, you can follow the algorithm below:
- Pull the needle out of its seat.
- Place the new element by analogy with the old one.
- Hold the new needle with one hand while securing it with the screw with the other hand.
The type of needle placement in the needle bar may vary for specific sewing machine models. The flat side can be turned sideways, forward, or backward. Usually the correct location is indicated directly on the body of the device.
You may need to install new needles as you work with different types of fabric. In some cases, you need a special double needle to create a zigzag stitch.
How the needle works
The needle with the thread starts moving down. When it reaches the fabric, it pierces it. In the outermost position at the bottom, the needle presses the thread that passes through both the long and short grooves.
The choice of needle depends on the thickness of the fabric
When the return movement occurs, the part that is in the large groove does not experience friction and remains relatively free. Where the thread passes through the short groove, it is pressed between the fabric and the needle. The friction causes it to slow down. This creates a loop that is picked up by the hook. That is how the stitch is formed.
How To: Change Needle on Sewing Machine (Sewing for Beginners)
Design of a machine needle
It looks like a metal rod whose shape resembles a cylindrical. The needle is usually made of stainless steel with a titanium or nickel coating. It is made in such a way that it does not bend or break.
Needle device
The top part is called the bulb. This is the thickest part of the needle. Along the middle and bottom there is a long groove. The thread inside it does not feel any friction while the needle pierces the fabric. At the bottom is the point and just above that is the eye of the needle. On the opposite side of the long groove is a short. The thread running through it, when the needle is lifted, the hook picks up the loop and forms a stitch. When the needle is in the last stage of lifting, it tightens the stitch. After that, the fabric is moved and the process described here is repeated again.
