{"id":14747,"date":"2023-11-28T05:00:08","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T04:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/?p=14747"},"modified":"2023-11-28T05:00:08","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T04:00:08","slug":"how-to-fix-a-broken-sewing-machine-needle-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/how-to-fix-a-broken-sewing-machine-needle-2\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Fix A Broken Sewing Machine Needle"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Background Information<\/h2>\n

Broken sewing machine needles are a common issue when sewing. A sewing machine needle is the most frequently replaced part of a sewing machine, and when it breaks it can cause a machine to jam or fabric to be damaged. Sewing machine needles are sold in various sizes and some are made to work with a specific type of fabric. When a sewing machine needle breaks, it’s important to inspect it to see what caused the break, determine what size of needle should be replaced, and identify the type of needle needed depending on the type of fabric being used for a project.<\/p>\n

Understanding Needle Materials<\/h2>\n

Sewing machine needles are made from various materials, each type offering a unique set of attributes. Universal needles are typically made from carbon steel with a sharp point that is suitable for most fabric types. This type of needle works well when sewing quilting, general and knit fabrics. Sharp needles, often made from chrome-plated steel, have a more pointed tip suitable for sewing through thicker fabrics like canvas and leather and are not recommended for light-weight fabrics as they can damage or pierce the fabric. Ballpoint needles are coated with a thicker, non-stick coating and have a rounded tip that creates less damage to fabrics like jersey and knit fabric, allowing the needle to pass between the fabric’s yarns rather than piercing them.<\/p>\n

Identifying Needle Defects and Damage<\/h2>\n

When a needle breaks, it’s important to first identify what type of needle it is and whether or not it had any defects that could have caused the needle to break. Sometimes the needle may look normal, but the eye may be too small or too large for the thread size. Other times, the debris on the needle, such as lint and dust, may cause the needle to break. Finally, the needle may have been overused and was simply worn out.<\/p>\n

Choosing the Right Needle<\/h2>\n

Once a problem is identified, the best way to fix a broken needle is to replace it with the correct type of needle. Choosing the wrong needle can lead to problems such as skipped stitches or skipped threads, or even cause further damage to the fabric. It’s important to select the right size of needle for the fabric and thread being used. Generally, lighter fabrics require a finer size needle and large or thick fabrics require a larger needle.<\/p>\n

Replacing a Needle<\/h2>\n