A Question of needles?

A friend of my wife, has asked me about sewing machine needles and a particular problem she has been having while sewing through some fabric that has some sort of metallic fiber running through it. Her standard needles are unable to penetrate the fiber and are pushed off to one side or another and render the whole sewing process less than perfect. I checked my information resources about sewing needles and did not find anything pertinent. Does anybody have any suggestions? Either of a personal experience nature or website with arcane needle suggestions for special need issues. I know that somebody here has probably run across this sort of thing, but I haven't, and the woman has 6 yds of fabric that she wants to use and is unable to do so with her present needle selection. My thought, at first, was that with an industrial machine, one could power through any situation like she describes, but that may, in fact, not be so, or at least, a prohibitively costly solution. Any help is appreciated. John

Reply to
John
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How about titanium?

Reply to
Bonnie Patterson

Reply to
Taria

I was going to suggest needles for metallic thread, but jeans needles seams a good choice. I would just worry about bigger holes.

amy in CNY (for now)

Reply to
amy in CNY

Reply to
Roberta

The fine jeans needles are so sharp and fine, that the holes are no bigger than the thread. I am using 70/10 jeans needles at the moment. They would not be tough enough to go safely through metallic fibres I don't think; but the 90's should be OK? It would be interesting to know what she has been using up to now to try to get through. If the answer to that question is 'universal' needles, then almost anything really sharp would be better. . In message , amy in CNY writes

Reply to
Pat S

That's such a special fabric, John. I suspect no rules or chart is going to apply. Perhaps a fine sharp needle such as a size 60 would glide through; could be the fabric will be happy with a ball point or a metallica. I'm afraid this is one of those 'it depends' situations. Translation: she'll just have to try this and that until she finds one that is ah, just right. Polly

"Roberta" <

Reply to
Polly Esther

I was thinking that would be the case. My Bernina owners manual has a bit of chat about the various needles that are used for various things but nothing specific as to this request. They did mention one called a "Cutting Point" 130/705H-LL or H-LR for "Leather, Suede, Calfskin, Kid, Pigskin, Leathers, Suede, Plastics, waxed products. That is about as exotic as I can find. I don't know just what she is doing, but maybe clothing.

John

Reply to
John

I would think the type of thread matters as well as the needle. I use a size 18 or 20 needle with my 100% cotton 12 wt. threads on quilting weight

100% cotton fabrics. If she has a tough fabric plus a thick thread she may be stuck with using the leather needles- those actually make a tiny cut in the leather as they stitch. Otherwise I'd say use a finer but strong thread and a jeans style needle.

But experimenting with different combinations is the only reliable way to find what would be best for her situation.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I was thinking that would be the case. My Bernina owners manual has a bit of chat about the various needles that are used for various things but nothing specific as to this request. They did mention one called a "Cutting Point" 130/705H-LL or H-LR for "Leather, Suede, Calfskin, Kid, Pigskin, Leathers, Suede, Plastics, waxed products. That is about as exotic as I can find. I don't know just what she is doing, but maybe clothing.

John

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

Is it a knit? Is it a woven? what kind of weight are we talking? What is the non-metallic fiber? Is the metallic fiber simply mylar strips or is it a laminated thread? Is she using a lining or interlining with it?

The answer could be as simple as moving the stitch line over one thread in the weave and paying strict attention to grain. It could also be so complicated as to require using a special platinum needle specially crafted by hand by ompa loompas while it is raining in Scotland.

I would look at the structure of the fabric and how that relates to what I am trying to do with it first. I would select my needle based on the weight, weave, and primary fiber content. No matter how she does, your friend should take great pains to avoid the needle going into the metallic fibers. At best it will cause the metallics to fray and stick out, at worst it will cause quick wear on the needle leading to rapid dulling or potentially breakage. Thus I would avoid needles that cut, and probably use a finer needle than I otherwise would.

NightMist

Reply to
NightMist

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Sounds like good advice - also, leather needles have a chisel point, and therefore would leave bigger holes and might not go through metallic fibers easily. It would be perfect if a ballpoint needle would work in the non-metallic fibers, because then that kind of needle would just slide past the metallic without damage. I'd experiment on scraps with some universal (Schmetz), regular and ballpoint, in fine sizes like 6s and 8s.

N.

Reply to
Nancy2

Like others, I would be hesitant to recommend a needle, without knowing much more.

Has she checked with the store, at which she purchased the fabric? They often have suggestions as to the best way to handle particular fabrics. If that is not an option, then she perhaps could try contacting the manufacturer?

Bev in TX

Reply to
countryone77

Lots of good advice already here. Please do not suggest a leather needle. It cuts the fibers/threads of the fabric with every stitch. With a metallic fiber.... whether mylar, laminate or true metal thread, you will not get absolutely straight stitching lines, and you really don't want them. As has been said, going through the metal will cause all sorts of fraying and problems. This is a time when the "imperfect" stitch of most zig-zag machines does show up. The needle will slide to the side of the difficult thread instead of piercing it. Which is really what you want to happen.

Would love to see some pictures of the fabric and what exactly she is unhappy about.

Sounds like fun fabric, Pati, in Phx

Reply to
Pati, in Phx

I am not sure as to the particulars on this issue. I am getting the info second hand from my wife, (who doesn't sew), and therefore might not be as specific as is needed as to the particulars of the issue. She just came about the conversation over lunch the other day with the woman, and said she would ask me what I thought. I will call her and ask her the various things pertinent to her problem and maybe will be better informed as to just what the problem is. Thanks for the help. John

Reply to
John

You might want to point her to the Schmetz needle site, particularly the education section:

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If this is a woven, my first try would be their jeans needles, followed by quilting and topstitch needles, because they seem to have a slightly stiffer shaft.

If it's a knit, I'd try both universal and jersey needles, and keep increasing in size till I found one that worked.

Kay

Reply to
Kay Lancaster

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