Imagine this, sewing a simple straight seam with your new sewing machine and the needle breaks. The first impulse that comes to mind is that the machine is broken and needs to be returned, however a majority of the time needle breakage is a user problem rather than a machine problem. To eliminate unnecessary repairs, I will explain common user problems and possible solutions.
One user dilemma that frequently occurs is incorrect installation of a needle into the machine. Some machines this day in age use a needle that has a flat side and a roundish side. When replacing your broken needle you need make sure that the new needle is inserted into your machine with the flat side to the back of the machine. You must also make sure the needle is as far into the machine as possible. Many people are unaware that the needle goes farther into the machine and accidentally only put the needle in half way; thus causing the machine to be un-calibrated and break a needle.
A key thing to look at to help prevent the breakage of needles is the clamp screw. Often overlooked, it is critical that a clamp screw is tight and not unfastened. An unstable needle clamp screw leads to the needle falling out of the machine, consequently causing needle breakage.
An additional dilemma, which often occurs and creates needle breakage, is faulty threading. An incorrectly threaded machine can lead to possible snares and tangles of thread, consequently this putting strain on the machine and often leads to unnecessary needle breakage. It is important to check for improper threading, as this is a common mistake that can easily be corrected.
Machine tension is another aspect which should you should be wary of because unsuitable machine tension leads to preventable needle breakage. To avoid needle breakage due to improper tension, it is essential to make sure your tension is not set either too high or too low.
When using an unsuitable needle with a fabric that is either too thick or too thin, it can generate a predicament with needle breakage. When sewing on thick material like denim or leather use a needle suitable for the material it will be sewing on. A needle made for sewing on thick material, will create less needle breakage and therefore less problems for you. Another thing to keep in mind is for stretchy or elastic material it is ideal to use polyester thread while a fabric or material with no elasticity should use cotton thread. The perfect combination of thread, fabric, and needle type can drastically cut down on needle breakage.
Another point to keep in mind to reduce the amount of needle breakage is that the newer machine automatically feed the fabric and does not require you to pull on the fabric. When the user pulls on fabric and the fabric is not naturally fed through the machine it creates tension and often leads to unnecessary needle breakage or bending. A bent needle often creates uneven or unsatisfactory sewing so it is important to look out for needle bending as well as needle breakage because both could potentially lead to less than perfect sewing results.
Needle breakage may become a thing of the past just by following these simple instructions, which will save you time and money caused by common and easily avoidable mistakes.
For additional instructions and tricks on preventing sewing needles from breaking, and extra sewing machine associated content drop by Mr Vac & Mrs Sew
Great article. Chock-full of helpful information, especially for the sometime seamstress like myself. I don't sew often but when I have to I can use all the help I can get.
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