momymom

The "rule of thumb" for changing your machine needle is every 8 hours of sewing. When you hear the pop as the needle goes into the fabric, it means the needle is dull, and could damage your fabric.

ckcowl

EVERY 8 HOURS OF SEWING TIME!!! or more often depending on the projects you are working on. sooner is good longer...not so good. some dealers will tell you to change your needle with every new project as a good guideline. and you should clean your machine BETWEEN EVERY BOBBIN! every time you run out of bobbin thread it is time to stop and clean the machine again. your machine will love you for a long long time if you maintain it properly.

amma

There are many types of needles for different applications.
Top Stitch, Embroidery, Sharps, etc... and you can buy different sized needles in these categories, depending on what it is you are doing.
The needle size is determined by the weight of your fabric and/or threads. :D:D:D

I think Connecting Threads website has a good tutorial on threads and needles :wink:

raptureready

I've heard it said that they should be changed after 8 hours of sewing. However to my budget that's pretty excessive. I change mine when it starts messing up or breaks.

MommaDorian

Well, I changed mine before I started making pillowcases again. What a difference!! I never realized how dull mine was until I had a new one. Thanks for teaching me that I've been waiting WAY too long!!

sjhughson

OK, we pay near $10/yd. for fabric, how much for batt, and we are stingy with a $1.00 needle? This is not my original thought. I borrowed it from a LA machine quilter. Think how much it would cost to have your DSM repaired if your needle threw it out of timing or some other boo-boo happened. Change you needles. You won't regret it.

sewjoyce

And don't forget to oil your machine (if your manual says you should)! She runs much better with a drop or two occasionally :D

scowlkat

I would rather go through 10 needles a day as to have my machine labor unnecessarily! After all, I paid a lot more for the machine than I do for needles. I clean my machine after every completed project - unless I am sewing something that produces a lot of lint such as flannel or homespun and then I will check when I need a new bobbin.

Maintain your machine properly and it will be your friend - don't and the sewing gremlins will get you!

4dogs

My Bernina gets a bit of noise going when the needle needs to be changed...just listen and you will hear the difference. Its good to buy needles when there is a sale, like Hancock has 50% ones usually around a holiday....stock up then !

dkabasketlady

Me too! There's some days that I sew 8 hrs. and then I'd be changing needles every day and can't afford it on my disability checks. I wait until I have trouble and then change. I also have more than one machine so don't sew on the same one all the time, but do use the same one for the project I'm working on.