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American and European Needle Sizing
The following shows the conversion between American and European Needles:
| American |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
14 |
16 |
18 |
| European |
60 |
65 |
70 |
75 |
80 |
90 |
100 |
110 |
The larger the number, the thicker the needle. Larger needles are appropriate for heavier fabrics and smaller needles are appropriate for finer fabrics. Smaller needles will allow more detail in embroidery work. The most common needle we sell for embroidery work is the Universal Needle Size 80/12.
Universal Needles
Universal needles are the most common needle used in embroidery, quilting and normal sewing. They have a slight ball point and are appropriate for either woven or knitted fabrics.
Ball Point Needles
The Ball Point needle has a medium ball point and is appropriate for knitted materials.
Microtex Sharp Needles
The Microtex Sharp needles are appropriate for fine detail on woven materials.
Machine Embroidery Needles
The Machine Embroidery needle has a larger eye and a special design in the scarf to prevent shredding and thread breaks. This needle is most appropriate for rayon embroidery threads.
Metallic (or Metallica) Needles
The Metallica Needle is constructed with a larger eye and larger groove to provide trouble-free embroidery with metallic threads.
Topstitch Needles
The Topstitch Needle is extra sharp, has an extra large eye and has a large groove to accommodate topstitch thread.
Denim Needles
The Denim Needle is for use on very densely woven materials. The point is extra sharp for easier penetration of these fabrics.
Quilting Needles
The Quilting Needle is designed to sew through several layers of fabrics without damage. These needles have a green band at the top of the needle for easy identification.
Stretch Needles
These needles are for synthetic suedes and elastic knitwear. They are designed to prevent skipped stitches common in sewing on these fabrics.
Leather Needles
Leather Needles have a slight cutting point for leather and heavy non-woven synthetics. Not for use on knits!
Double (or Twin) Needles
Two needles on a cross-bar with a single shaft sews two lines of stitching at the same time. Can be used with zig-zag sewing machines that thread from front to back.
Triple Needles
Three needles on a cross bar with a single shaft sews three lines of stitching at the same time.
Wing (or Hemstitch) Needles
Used for decorative stitching on tightly woven fabrics. The double hemstitch needle has one wing needle and one regular needle on a cross bar with a single shaft.
Twin Needle Numbers
Twin Needles are identified with two separate numbers such as 2.0/80. The 2.0 specifies the distance in millimeters between needles and the 80 is the needle size.
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