Fabrics
Crepe de Chine, Voile, Fine Silk
Light
Lawn, Organdy,
weight
Georgette,
Tricot
Medium
Linens, Cotton, Pique, 50 silk
Serge, Double Knits,
weight
Percale
Heavy
Denim, Tweed,
weight
Gabardine,
Coating, Drapery and
Upholstery Fabric
Thread
9
Fine Cotton
or
Fine Synthetic
11
Fine Cotton
Covered
Polyester
11
50 to 80 Cotton
or
50 to 60
14
Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
50 silk
14
40 to 50 Cotton
40 to 50
16
Synthetic
Cotton Covered
Polyester
6
Changing Needle
Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward you and
lower the presser foot.
Loosen the needle clamp screw by turning it counterclockwise.
Remove the needle from the clamp.
Insert the new needle into the clamp with the flat side away
from you.
When inserting the needle into the clamp, push it up as far as
it will go and tighten the clamp screw firmly with the screwdriver.
* Check your needles frequently for barbed or blunted points.
Snags and runs in knits, fine silks and silk-like fabrics are
permanent and are almost always caused by a damaged
needle.
To check the needle
Place the flat side of the needle on something flat (needle
plate, glass etc.). The clearance between the needle and flat
surface should be consistent. Never use a bent or blunt needle.
Thread and Needle Chart
* In general, fine threads and needles are used for sewing
thin fabrics, and thicker threads and needles are used for
sewing heavy fabrics. Always test thread and needle size
on a small piece of fabric which will be used for actual sewing.
* Use the same thread for needle and bobbin.
* When sewing stretch, very fine fabrics and synthetics,use
a BLUE TIPPED needle.
The blue tipped needle effectively prevents skipped stitches.
* When sewing very fine fabrics, sew over a piece of paper
to prevent seam puckering.