Breaking sewing machine needles?
Posted on September 30th, 2009 by admin
I’m sewing on a soft denim pair of jeans on a Singer sewing machine. I’ve gotten the whole thing wound correctly and set correctly but the last two times I tried to sew the machine made a strange growling noise, stopped and the needle broke. It then beeped for a little while then stopped. I tried a second time but the very same thing happened. What am I doing wrong?
I suspect the needle you’re using isn’t the right type. Needles come in different "strengths" for sewing different materials. What works on a thin cotton material won’t work on a pair of jeans. The machine is trying to sew it, the needle is bending and not going down the hole in the throat plate and striking the plate and breaking. You’ll need at least a 14 needle for denim and a 16 would probably be even better. And you want a sharp point, not a ball point. They developed the ball points for sewing on light fabrics and knits without snagging. Since you’ve broken two, it kind of eliminates the needle being bent in the first place.
And the machine is struggling to push the needle through the fabric, that’s why it’s "growling". Make a visit to a fabric store, tell them what you’re sewing and what needle you need. The sales people will help you find it.
September 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pm
You need a special denim needle. Even soft denim can cause the needle to break. Sew slowly and evenly. When you get to seam don’t try to push or force it through because it will mess up the timing breaking the needle. If the needle has broken several times you may need to have the timing fixed. It’s not expensive but a professional has to do it. Check it by trying to sew something lighter and see if it works any better.
References :
September 30th, 2009 at 5:53 pm
I suspect the needle you’re using isn’t the right type. Needles come in different "strengths" for sewing different materials. What works on a thin cotton material won’t work on a pair of jeans. The machine is trying to sew it, the needle is bending and not going down the hole in the throat plate and striking the plate and breaking. You’ll need at least a 14 needle for denim and a 16 would probably be even better. And you want a sharp point, not a ball point. They developed the ball points for sewing on light fabrics and knits without snagging. Since you’ve broken two, it kind of eliminates the needle being bent in the first place.
And the machine is struggling to push the needle through the fabric, that’s why it’s "growling". Make a visit to a fabric store, tell them what you’re sewing and what needle you need. The sales people will help you find it.
References :
September 30th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Clean the machine following the instructions in the manual. Inspect the bobbin and bobbin case for chips, dings and dents. Install a new needle, probably a Sharp or Jeans point, at least a size 14.
I’m guessing the needle is breaking as you sew across a previous seam (hemming jeans is a tough sewing job) and you need to keep the presser foot level as you start to sew across the thicker seam area. Any sort of a wedge you can put under the back side of the foot temporarily will work… a fold of denim, an official "hump jumper", etc.)
http://www.sewforless.com/item/The_Hump_Jumper/5367/c43
Other things that help are handwalking the needle through the thick spots by using the handwheel and not the pedal, and flattening the thick spot with a hammer or heavy pressing.
http://www.timmelfabrics.com/denim2.htm
Schmetz jeans point needle is the middle one here in the
"point styles" photo: http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/17206792
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/schmetz_display_page1.htm
for more information.
References :
50 years of sewing