quilting trivia question

Here's some info on threads, etc.

And some info on needles

There! That should get you completely confused- it does it to me every time!

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

What's a mircotex? Gaush....don't I feel dumb! I know there's a difference between a "regular" needle, stretch needle and a jeans needle, but didn't know that there are different sizes or whatnot. And I usually don't change needles, unless it breaks or I have a problem with skipped stitches or such. And I always thought the bobbin thread was the same as what's on the spool, except for specialty threads....I didn't even know they had different thread weights until a few months ago and still don't get why'd you'd use the different weights???? I'm confused! There's a special needle for quilting???? Wow, didn't know that either! Guess I need a manual or guide about this stuff! lol I suffer from CRS! lol

Launie, in Oregon

We don't whine about hurricane Katrina and the things we don't have anymore. We're just glad to be carrying on and there's no such thing here yet as to choices. No LQS, no Hancocks, finally we can buy sliced bread if we don't care what brand or grain . . . and, of course, we can't simply run to a store and buy SM needles - but I did wonder why my Schmetz were colored and Leslie's were not. To be perfectly fair (that's the Libra in me), the green-band Schmetz needles can be size 14 or 16. My Berninas don't sound good with a 16, they sort of go thunk-thunk-thunk and my ears don't like it - but at least by seeing green I know that I'm on the right track. Polly

I went to a 'needle seminar' at the Sewing Expo in Puyallup, Wa. quite a few years ago. It was sponsored by Schmetz. They explained that MOST Schmetz needles are color coded but occasionally they won't be. Singer needles are also USUALLY color coded but they aren't necessarily the same codes Schmetz uses. Off brands will also color code some needles, or not, and those codes can be different from Schmetz and Singer. All blue shank needles are not necessarily the same type, depends on the brand. The color code has nothing to do with the size. Most types of needles are made in different sizes. The ones with two numbers separated by a slash like 70/10 means that the European size is 70, American size is 10 for that needle. The higher the number the larger the needle diameter but NOT necessarily the size of the eye. Yes, that size is usually stamped on the shank by most manufactures IF you can read it. Even looking through the bottom of my bifocals and using a magnifying glass under an Ott light can't help my eyes make out the teeny little numbers. If they used Braille it would probably help but then most likely the shank would no longer fit in the machine. To make things even more complicated different machines work differently with different types and sizes of needles. The needle that thunks in Polly's machine runs smooth as butter in my old trusty old Singer. Just because a Universal 80/12 works for a particular project in your machine doesn't mean it's going to do the best job in somebody else's.

The other thing I found interesting was that many off brand or 'generic' SM needles are made by Singer or Schmetz and they are either not color coded or use a different code all together. These same generic companies will have needles also manufactured in "more cost effective" factories but you won't know if you're getting a less expensive high quality needle or a piece of junk under that generic brand because they skip around manufactures depending on the deal they can make at the time. That was a 40 minute seminar and I learned enough to get really confused about what I thought I knew and then my eyes glazed over. I decided that I'd just stick with Schmetz and keep track of what works for me in my machines.....then I went in search of an adult beverage.

This link will explain some of that sizing and what the numbers actually stand for.

's Schmetz pdf link was excellent. Thank you, Leslie. I had that handout from the seminar but lost it in one of my moves.....or I tucked it in a book and so I'd remember right where I put it. *snort!* Val

That's what I do, too, Leslie! I was going to stay quiet in this thread, as I thought that, in the august company which was emerging, I would be embarrassed to admit it. Not only do I throw them away (unless it's for a very temporary task when I keep the 'taken-out' one in sight), but I hadn't even thought to find an alternative >g< . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

And the Schmetz brand's container has a magnifying area---tiny, but it is there ---- right on the box of needles to help ;you read that info. ! I never knew it until a quilt store owner pointed it out to me . Mary

" > You DO know that it's stamped on the side of the needle, right?

When I bought my Janome 6500 it came with a packet of assorted needles - no idea what any of them are!

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)

Val wrote:

Leslie's Schmetz pdf link was excellent. Thank you, Leslie. I had that > handout from the seminar but lost it in one of my moves.....or I tucked it > in a book and so I'd remember right where I put it. *snort!*>

no, Pat, i just usually use Schmetz in the singer, but in my White999 i use Organ needles. they're sold in large amounts per package. and since i change my needle often, a better bargin. my Singer is too fussy. I wish i could find Singer needles, my machine would be happier, but i dont use that machine too often...it's a cheep one and my daughter uses it more than me. i have been trying to save up for a new machine, but my trips to California get in the way!!! LOL!

amy in CNY

Okay, a confession here. When I am using a specialty needle, and only for a short period of time, I leave the container out by my machine. I usually start with the needle on the right end of the package, and when it is still usable for a bit longer I replace it in the container, but with the flat side up (the flat side is down when new.) My usual needle for most things is a Universal (I know, but they work for me.) Those get changed out fairly frequently and old ones go into empty needle boxes marked "old" and given to DH. (Something about using them to make tiny jewelry tools....????) I keep a supply of needles of all types, all Schmetz or Organ or Klassé brand. (Remember that Singer needles should only be used in Singer machines. ) Fortunately my sergers both use the same needles as my machines. Size I can usually gauge by "feel" or by looking at them. Sometimes I can manage to read the size by using the container's built in magnifier. (For Schmetz needles the top part of the container is a magnifier...but not as good as it used to be. )

I have also had the color band on some needles rub off. sigh. But Leslie, if you want to use a Sharpie and just run it along the top part of the needles in the box to color code your own if you like. There are lots of different colored sharpies now. You could even use 2 different colors....one for type and one for size.

Pati, > That's what I do, too, Leslie!

That's exactly what I do! Roberta in D

"Pati C." schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:fn2eo4$k8e$ snipped-for-privacy@aioe.org...

What a good idea!! and the Singer needles are best in a Singer. just that everytime i find a place that sells them...they are out of stock{{{{sigh}}}}

i do keep my jersey knit and denim/leather needles in a safe place....

amy in CNY

Amy, I find Singer needles in the multipacks of 4 or 5 needles at WalMart. That's the only brand they carry. Is that what you need?

Leslie, Missy & The Furbabies in MO.

no, Pat, i just usually use Schmetz in the singer, but in my White999 i use Organ needles. they're sold in large amounts per package. and since i change my needle often, a better bargin. my Singer is too fussy. I wish i could find Singer needles, my machine would be happier, but i dont use that machine too often...it's a cheep one and my daughter uses it more than me. i have been trying to save up for a new machine, but my trips to California get in the way!!! LOL!

amy in CNY

That's what I try to do, but usually my a.d.d. kicks in and I lay it down near my machine because I am going to reuse it right away, and pretty soon I have 2-3 needles out and don't remember what they are or for LOL

I do try and get organized but it only lasts for a few minutes before I am distracted and forget what I am doing,

Denny in Fort Wayne

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Pati C. wrote:

On Sun, 20 Jan 2008 19:19:59 -0600, Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. wrote (in article ):

Maureen

today. Hopefully, that'll give me some insight! lol There may be hope fo= r me yet! My second daughter is trying out for a play today and I want our son (mostly) to stick around and watch the auditions. So, that is where we'll be most of the afternoon. Launie, in Oregon

I pitch the old ones too--except for a very fast change. I figure by the time I've used 'em for awhile, they deserve retirement!

Lenore

Just read what you all had to say bout the needles and when you are to change them. Cindy I am like you, if it ain't broke why fix (change it) Ok Karen I can hear you yelling at me right now, probably get IMed AND a phone call, maybe from Musicmaker too. Oh well. I guess if they want me to change it more often they had better start asking me on Friday's how long I have been sewing on the needle. Hummm come to think of it probably should change it before I start. Hit a couple of pins before I could jerk them out.

GrammyKathy