Denise

I've been wondering, how do you know that your sewing machine needle is dull and needs to be changed? Someone told me sometime ago that when your sewing your machine will give a clunk sound, as the needle is sewing through the material. Also that your threat will break. I thought this might be an interesting question for some of the new sewers as my self. Denise.

Norah

Well, I would think that those signs are a little late to change the needle. The clunk in mine means the needle is bent or broken. When it is dull, the needle tends to pull threads in the fabric, or break threads in the fabric, but if you listen carefully, the motor labors a little harder and the needle makes a different noise as it hits the fabric when the needle is getting dull. Sometimes, I stop and feel the end of the needle to see if there is a tiny spur on the end. That happens to me when my needle is having problems. How about the rest of you?

Boo

Yep, the sound changes, but I couldn't hear it at first. It took some experience to be able to notice the difference. A good rule of thumb has been to change your needle with every 8 hours of sewing. Now that does not mean you change the needle every day. Those guidlines mean a sewing machine sewing constantly for 8 hrs. While I may spend an entire day sewing, that day also includes pressing seams and trimming and a break now and again. When I find my brand of needles on sale I stock up. The sharper the needle, the less likely the needle will go looking for path of lease resistance when you are aiming for the exact center of two seams, as in star points. Always remember that the better our tools, the better our success. A new sharp blade makes cutting accurate strips a breeze. I always delint my machine and change the needle at the begining of each new project.

gr8tchr4u

I find the rule of every 8 hours of sewing a bit hard to keep track of, but I've noticed that you can hear a definite sound as the needle gets dull, although that isn't the best rule of thumb.

I will take out the needle and compare it to a new one - if it's noticably dull, I don't use it. Also, I will do a 'test push' of it through my fabric. If it won't go easily, pitch it and use a new needle!

I know a lady who bought a tomato pin cushion for her various machine needles and marked the sections 'metallic', 'quilting', 'leather', and other types of needles she used, that way if she needed to change needles between projects, she could do so and keep track of them. She also sharpened them with the small emery 'berry' before using them again. She said this helped her keep track of the dull and the useful. :)

Joyce

When your needle is dull you will hear a "pop pop or thud thud" sound each time the needle penetrates the fabric.
You can put your finger against it and it will not feel sharp.
If you have a magnifier take a look at the dull needle versus the new needle. What a difference!
Joyce

ArtquilterNEWWAYtoQUILT

:? Sometimes New Needles are just plain no good then you have the same problems,I always change needles and thread first before checking for other problems!!!! :wink:

ArtquilterNEWWAYtoQUILT

:? Ok sooo I clicked the button tooo much been a long day and night, :? :wink:

ButtercreamCakeArtist

I tend to goof off and break mine before they get a chance to get dull.

Hey, do you reckon the one in my 1908 singer treadle is overdue for a change?! LOL! (maybe it doesn't even have one in it, I was JK--just kidding--...Mom gave it to me. I should have it tomorrow).

Cathe

Dull needles will skip stitches, too.

live2teach

LOL, Miranda I'm with ya there! Mine usually break before I need to change them. Not always, but every now and then.

I HOPE you have it tomorrow too, that means I'll have my house! LOL!