Post on 14-Apr-2018
7/30/2019 Know Your Needles
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NEEDLEPOINT PROBY CYNTHIA THOMAS
We are fortunate today to have access to
many different types of needles withdifferent finishes. Traditionally, needles
are nickel-plated, but some stitchers swear
their platinum- or gold-plated needles
make all the difference in stitching.
Stitchers can choose between petite
(or shorter) needles and the standard-
length needles. The following is a brief
description of just some of the various
types of hand-sewing needles available.
In general, needles are sized with the
larger number being the smaller sizeand the smaller number being the larger
size. For example, a size 20 tapestry needle
is thicker and longer than a size 28,
which is shorter and finer.
Sharps are medium-length needles.
They are the most commonly used hand-
sewing needles. They have a sharp point
and a round eye. In needlepoint, they are
used to pierce the canvas threads.
Betweens are shorter needles with a
rounded eye, used for detailed handwork,such as fine stitching or tailoring.
Betweens in sizes 7 to 12 are also referred
to as quilting needles. These needles
work well to pierce canvas threads.
The smaller betweenssizes 11 and 12
are also used for beading on fabric.
Crewel or embroideryneedles are
identical in length and thickness to
sharps but have a longer eye for easier
threading with thicker embroidery
threads. Again, these can be used to
pierce the canvas threads.
Milliners or strawneedles are
similar to sharps except they are longer.
They are most commonly used for
basting and millinery work. They are
extremely useful in making bullion knots
since they are straight up and down
and do not get fatter at the eye, thus
making them easier to pull through
a bullion knot. Tapestryor cross-stitch needles have
a longer eye for easier threading with
thicker embroidery threads. They have
blunt tips which push aside the fabric
threads rather than piercing them.
They come in standard length or petite.
This is the needle most commonly used
in needlepoint and cross-stitch.
Chenille needles are the same as
tapestry needles, but have a sharp point
for embroidery on closely woven fabric.These are frequently used for ribbon
embroidery on fabric.
Beadingneedles are made from very
fine wire and have very narrow eyes
in order to pass through the holes in a
bead. These come in either a long or
short length with a point.
Tattingneedles are long and have the
same thickness for their entire length.
Needlepointers sometimes use them
to make very long bullion knots.
Appliqu needles are very fine, short
needles for hand appliqu and sewing
on delicate fabrics.
Upholsteryneedles are heavy, long
needles that can be straight or curved.
Needlepointers use them when a heavier
needle is needed. The curved ones can
be used to assist in fixing missed stitches
after a piece is finished.
Determining the Correct Size Needle
The following table shows the canvas size
and the suggested needle size. This is only
a suggestion and the actual size you use
would depend on what you are doing and
what kind of thread you are using.
To decide what needle to use, pass the
needle through an unstitched hole in the
canvas. If the threaded needle enlarges the
hole, the needle is too big. If the needle
drops down through the hole too easily
then the needle is probably too small.
However, at times you may want the needle
to enlarge the hole, such as if you are
stitching with a delicate thread such as
angora or if you are doing pulledthreadwork. If the needle is too small it
will squeeze the needle through the eye
and cause excessive wear. Using a needle
that is too small with stranded threads can
make them more difficult to lie flat.
Unlike centuries ago, we are lucky to
live in a time when needles are readily
available and relatively inexpensive.
Try a variety of brands, types, and sizes
to determine which ones you like best.
Cross-Stitch & Needl
CANVAS MESH SIZE NEEDLE SIZE
10 18
12 20
14 22
16 22
18 22
22 24
24 Congress Cloth 24
Know Your NeedlesLearn the different types and sizes of needles available.