Knowing how to properly maintain and fix small issues with your sewing machine can help you create high-quality sewing projects with little effort and maximum fun. Have you ever wondered, ‘how to change sewing machine needle?’ If your answer is yes, you are at the right place.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of replacing a sewing machine needle. This article teaches you how to change sewing machine needle Singer and how to change sewing machine needle Brother. If you own a sewing machine from another brand, do not worry as the process is quite similar to what we talk about. Just make sure you pick the right needle for your fabric by following these instructions.
Before learning how to replace a sewing machine needle, it’s critical to understand how often you should do it.
How do you know when to change sewing machine needle?
Changing the needle on your sewing machine is a common sewing machine maintenance task. Replacing your needles after every five hours of sewing or at the completion of a project can help keep your sewing machine in top shape and give you the finest results possible. Some sewers suggest that at the very least, you should change your needle every time you swap from one kind of fabric to another or start a new project.
To prevent the cloth from being ripped or snagged, always use sharp, fresh needles. But, how do you know when to change sewing machine needle? When you use a new needle, you won’t have to deal with a threaded, broken needle and the hassle of changing it mid-task. You should also replace your sewing machine’s needle immediately if you hear a thudding noise while stitching.
The needle in your sewing machine may also need to be replaced if you’re having difficulties figuring out the problem. Troubleshooting your sewing machine may need a new sewing machine needle for the following problems.
As new sewing machine needles aren’t costly, it’s ideal to stock up and replace them periodically to get the best outcomes.
In the early stages of learning to use a sewing machine, The first important step you need to know is how to change needle industrial sewing machine. In this basic sewing guide, I’ll take you through each step.
When it comes to sewing, even if you don’t own a machine from one of these companies, the method is quite comparable!
In a nutshell, here’s how to change sewing machine needle:
Steps For Changing the Sewing Machine Needle
Take off the old needle from the sewing machine.
- Turn your sewing machine off.
- Place a piece of cloth or paper behind the presser foot if you want (This step is optional).
- Lower the presser foot.
- Raise the needle all the way to the very top.
- Turn the needle screw counterclockwise to loosen it (toward you).
- Get rid of the old needle.
- Examine the new needle (This step is optional).
- Insert the new needle with the flat side towards the rear of the machine and push it all the way up.
- Turn the needle screw counterclockwise to tighten it (away from you).
Let us now discuss each of the steps in detail
1. Turn your sewing machine off
Why do you need to turn the sewing machine off before replacing the needle? This is because we don’t need any electricity to change the needle. In addition to that, you won’t be able to accidentally stitch your fingers to the fabric if you don’t do so.
2. Raise the presser foot
Raising or removing the presser foot along with the needle may make it simpler for you to rotate the needle out. If you don’t do this step you will face a bit of difficulty while rotating the needle. You may even break the needle which will be a problem of its own.
3.Place a piece of cloth or paper behind the presser foot if you want
Press the presser foot lever — which is usually located to the right of the needles — to raise the presser foot.
Apply fabric or paper to the presser foot before doing that. This will prevent your needle from falling into the machine by covering the needle plate hole.
4. Raise the needle all the way to the very top
Turn the handwheel towards yourself to raise the needle. A mark on the wheel (in case it exists) should match the machine’s mark.
5. Turn the needle screw counterclockwise to loosen it
Your left hand should be firmly placed on the needle. Turn the needle screw towards the direction of your body using your right hand. As an alternative, you may use the tiny screwdriver included in the sewing machine kit.
Note: If the needle clamp screw on Brother sewing machine is tightened, it is more difficult to remove it by hand. You can use a flat-head screwdriver to release the needle by turning the screw clockwise towards you.
The needle clamp screw on the Singer heavy-duty sewing machine may be turned by hand. To loosen the screw, turn the screw counterclockwise toward you. In case the needle slips out, be sure you hang on to it with your other hand.
6. Get rid of the old needle
This is pretty self-explanatory. Once you loosen the screw, take the old needle away and discard it. If you feel any resistance while removing then loosen the screw a bit more before trying to remove it.
7. Examine the new needle
You should inspect a needle before inserting it into the sewing machine to figure out if it has been previously used.
The needle’s flat side should be placed on a level surface for this step (eg. table). Have a look at it from a side angle.
The needle is safe to use if the distance between it and a flat surface remains constant.
The needle should be discarded if it’s uneven or bent. According to some, missed stitches might be the result of a crooked needle.
8. Insert the new needle with the flat side towards the rear of the machine and push it all the way up.
Needles with curved or flat ends will have two sides to the needle’s head.
Place the flat side of the needle into the needle clamp (the part that supports the needle).
To reach the needle stopper, raise the needle all the way to the top of the tube.
9. Turn the needle screw counterclockwise to tighten it
The needle should be held in position with your left hand.
Turn the needle screw clockwise with your right hand to tighten it (away from you).
Be careful not to over tighten the screw with your screwdriver. You might inadvertently harm your machine if you can’t get the screw free the next time.
There you go! You finally know how to change the sewing machine needle.
Ensure that your needle is placed in a right way
If you replace the needle incorrectly, your stitches will be uneven, and the needle may fall out entirely. If you’re using a needle, be sure you put it straight up and firmly as deep into the hole as it will go.
If the sewing needle is put improperly, the clamp screw may not be securely fastened. It’s time to unscrew the screw, remove the needle, and start again.
Pick the correct needle for the job at hand
Depending on the kind of cloth, you’ll need a different needle. Your sewing machine’s needle and thread should be compatible with your chosen materials, so it’s critical to choose one that meets both of those criteria. When in doubt, choose a universal needle, which is suitable for a wide range of materials and applications.
You’ll need a needle made specifically for the material you’re working with if you’re doing a particular job. Sewing cotton and linen is easy with a universal needle and nice, even stitches.
Ball point needle
Knit textiles and polyester/cotton mix threads are also compatible with this technique.
Sharps needle
A sharp needle with increased strength and piercing power is required for quilting or other projects using particularly thick fabrics like fleece or felt.
Quilting needle
This needle, like the sharps, is designed for quilting with many layers of wadding, although it’s shorter in overall length than the sharps. Faster stitching may be achieved using this method.
Leather needle
The blade is specifically designed to pierce thick leather or suede.
Using a stretch needle may be a lifesaver when working with difficult-to-work-with elastic fabrics.
Jeans needle
This has a strengthened shank and a super-sharp stitching needle that can handle thick denim without breaking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, knowing how to change the sewing machine needle is a vital piece of information before you begin your embroidery journey. How do you know when to change the sewing machine needle? has been a question many aspiring sewing enthusiasts have asked for a long time. We hope we answered them in this article. If you master these basics, you’ll be able to make stunning pieces that will endure for years. Have fun stitching!