If you sew, you are probably bemoaning JoAnn Fabrics’ demise… as am I because I always depended on it for notions. Woe are we! I can, however, share my “goto” for needles. Try this website:
https://www.superiorthreads.com/needles/home-machine-needles/c/55-18 Not only do they carry SUPERIOR thread, which I love, but they always have a variety of needles, occasionally on sale! (They don’t carry every size and type, but do have most of them.)
WHAT SIZE? Most of us use size 80 for regular sewing. Size 70 is for more delicate fabric–the needle is a smidgen smaller. Size 90 is for a bit heavier. Size 100 is often recommended for denim or canvas.
WHAT ELSE? There are many other specialized needles. For instance, embroidery needles have a longer eye, giving room for the thread….to have less friction, maybe? They come in sizes 75 and 90–75 is better for dense embroidery. Specialized metallica are made for those pesky but beautiful “metal” threads, whether sewing or embroidering. There are also leather needles I’ve never needed to use. As a quilter, you are probably familiar with quilting needles, which are sharper, not ballpoint, to penetrate cotton and/or batting more easily. Sharper yet are the special microtex needles, made for micro fibers, polyester, silk, foils, and coated materials. Of course, there are also double and triple needles for pin tucks. (Not going there today!)
HINT! Since working with the Superior needles, I’ve found my everyday favorite is the topstitch 80 needle. I find I can use it for regular sewing and switch to embroidery without changing the needle. It has a bigger eye that works well for embroidery.
HOW TO STORE and KEEP UP WITH SIZES? My machine has a needle reminder for the one currently in the machine. However, what do you do when you switch sizes? I used to put the needle back in the pack upside down so that I knew it was used. Then I heard about a solution, using an old-fashioned tomato pin cushion. I mark each section with a needle number or name.
NOTICE! One section is packed!!! That is for old needles! I keep them to use on paper. Yes, I sew on card stock to make tear-off labels. The needle with no thread perforates the card, but it’ll dull needles, so I purposely use old ones. Some people make quilted cards on card stock, too.
I also use old needles to hang up up wall hangings. I kid you not–they are stronger than you’d guess. They’d also hold up posters.
SEW….I always need needles, lots of them. Do you?
Sewing along as always,
Libby
PS I’m now making videos on youtube for thefabrichut.com
You can use the following link or search for Fabric Hut Quilt and scroll down to “Marc and Libby.” The first one was the Heavenly “Angel Wings Baby Wrap”–hints on sewing my new pattern https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prUBxf4fuQ8 The pattern is here:
The next video will be LIVE from my https://sewgocreate.com Sewing Studio on Thursday afternoon, June 3, 2025, 3 or 4 p.m. (not sure yet), and then it’ll continue to be posted on youtube.com to watch later if you like. I don’t have the exact link yet, but I’ll send it soon.
It’s a new pattern that uses 4 packages (40 each) of 10 1/2″x 2 1/2″ strips: designing, making the odd- size pieces fit together and creating a diagonally pieced border. No extra fabric needed except for backing.
This is Morning Mist available at thefabrichut.com . So pretty and light for spring or summer, mints and teals, currently on sale.