130/705 H130/705 H needles are the same as 15x1 h needles (Japanese) and the 2020 (Singer). All needles in this system have a flattened shank for perfect positioning in the sewing machine. Household sewing machines require a needle with a flattened shank.

Reading a Needle Packet

Too many numbers on the packet? What do they really mean? Follow the example.

Needle type - Leather

Needle system - 130/705 HL (H=Hohlkehle in German, means “with scarf”, L is for leather)

Needle size - 90/14 (90=number metric is the diameter of the needle

blade in hundredths of a millimetre measured above the scarf (short groove). Needle with a blade diameter of .90 mm corresponds to NM 80.

90/14 - 90 is European, 14 is American

Needles you may not have used

Microtex Needle - artificial leather, brocade, chiffon, coated fabrics, crepe, crinkle, foils, lame, microfiber, nylon, oil cloth, polyester, poplin,silk, taffeta, waxed cloth

Stretch Needle - bed linen jersey, knit cotton, elastic, fleece, jersey with elastic, lycra, silk jersey, velour jersey, velvet, lingerie

Jersey Needle - artificial fur, boucle, knit cotton, gauze, jersey, knits with elastic, lingerie, lycra, sweatshirt, tulle

z The Perfect Needle zJust as important as a working sewing machine, using the correct

needle is crucial. The love and time you put into your sewing creations deserve the best. Always choose your needles to match

your sewing project.

C H A R L E N E P H I L L I P S W W W. T H E S E W B O X . C O M

NEEDLE information2 0 1 0 T H E S E W B O X

the

Universal Needle - general sewing, woven & knit fabrics - 8/60, 9/65, 10/70, 11/75, 12/80, 14/90, 16/100, 18/110 through 19/120.

Microtex Needle - straight stitching on delicate & microfiber fabrics, sharp point - 8/60, 9/65, 10/70, 11/75, 12/80, 14/90

Jersey Needle - knits & stretch fabrics - 10/70, 12/80, 14/90, 16/100

Leather Needle - leather, artificial leather, heavy non-woven fabrics. -

10/70, 12/80, 14/90, 16/100, 18/110, 19/120

Denim/jeans Needle -denim, densely woven fabrics, when need a very straight stitch on layered fabrics - very sharp point - 10/70, 11/75, 12/80, 14/90, 16/100, 18/110

Stretch Needle - synthetic suede & elastic knitwear, deep scarf to prevent skipped stitches - 11/75, 14/90

Topstitch Needle - extra sharp, enlarged groove for larger diameter threads - 12/80, 14/90, 16/100

TWIN AND TRIPLE NEEDLE

Choose according to the

fabric and thread type. They are usually available

in universal, stretch, jeans,

metallic, embroidery. Range from 1.6 to 4.0 as

distance between needles. Perfect for pintucks,

topstitching, and decorative

stitching.

METALLIC NEEDLE

The metallic needle is

designed with an enlarged eye that will accommodate

specialty threads without

shredding. They are available in 12/80 and

14/90.

WING (HEMSTITCH)

NEEDLEDesigned with a wing

(flange) on each side of the

needle. Use for light and medium weight fabric.

Perfect for heirloom sewing, cutwork, or

creating the holes for edged

crochet. Also comes as a double

QUILTING NEEDLE

The quilting needle has a

taper to the shaft and a very sharp point. This

design prevents damage to

layered fabrics. They are available in sizes 11/75,

12/80, and 14/90.

SPRING NEEDLEUse for free hand quilting

& embroidery. Insert the

needle, remove your presser foot. Universal.

Sizes 10/70, 12/80, 14/90.

SCHMETZ DOUBLE EYE

NEEDLE

SYSTEM 705 DE

The needle has two eyes.

Using two thread colors results in beautiful

decorative stitches.

Use two spools of

different colored threads,

and having each unwind in the opposite direction.

This prevents tangling.

Check your manual for threading, similar to the

twin needle. Thread paths are followed as with

normal threading until you come to the needle

eye.

Just some fun & interesting facts...The oldest needles had a split end which gripped the fabric. The next needles began to have the same characteristics of modern needles - an eye at one end and a tapered point at the other.

The invention of the sewing machine led to the creation of the sewing machine needle. Around 1800, B Krems, Mayen, Germany, used a needle with had the eye close to the point. Additional improvements led to our needle of today.

There were many size designations for the early needles. In 1953, the metric size was designated. The abbreviation NM was introduced. NM stands for “number metric”.

The NM is the diameter of the needle blade in hundredths of a millimetre measured above the short groove (scarf). A needle with a blade diameter of 0.90 mm corresponds to NM 90.

Household machines use the needle system of 130/705 H.

The ‘H’ stands for Hohlkehle, which is German for “with scarf ”.

The European metric sizing system numbers from 60 to 110. The American sizing system is numbered from 8 to 18. Looking at a packet of 14/90 - the 14 is American sizing and the 90 is European. The 14/90 is suitable for medium-weight fabrics, such as flannel, satin, terry, velvet, broadcloth, brocade, chintz, linen, and others.

Remember, the lighter the fabric the smaller the needle size and the heavier the fabric, the larger the needle size. Thread sizing must be matched to your needle, as the smaller the size of needle - the smaller the eye hole.

THE SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE IS THE LEAST EXPENSIVE PART OF YOUR SEWING NOTIONS. CHANGE THE NEEDLE AT THE BEGINNING OF EVERY SEWING PROJECT.

Happy Sewing!Charlene