Sewing machines are great inventions. They make clothes fast and cheap. But sometimes, sewing needles get lost or broken. When that happens, you have two choices: buy a new sewing machine with a new set of needles, or find a way to fix the old one.
This guide will teach you how to replace sewing machine needles without buying a new machine. All you need is a few common household items and a little bit of elbow grease!
I’ll walk you through the whole process step-by-step so that you can do it yourself in your own home.
When to Change Your Needle
The first thing you should know about replacing sewing machine needles is that they don’t last forever. Most sewing machine needles only last for about 100 stitches before they break. If you’re using them every day, you’ll probably want to change them after about 100 days.
However, there are some situations where it might be okay to use an older needle for a longer period of time. For example, if you sew on buttons frequently, you could probably use an old needle for several years.
But even though it’s possible to use an old needle longer than 100 stitches, I recommend changing all of your sewing machine needles at least once per year. Why? Because doing so helps ensure that your machine lasts for many more years. And when you’re ready to upgrade to a newer model, you’ll already have a full set of replacement parts.
Tools Needed
You’ll also need a few tools to replace sewing machine needles.
First, you’ll need a pair of pliers. You can use any pliers, but I prefer these because they work well with plastic.
Next, you’ll need a screwdriver. This tool isn’t necessary, but it makes things go much faster.
Finally, you’ll need a needle threader. A needle threader is a small device that attaches to the end of your sewing machine needle. It allows you to pull out the needle from the fabric easily. Without a needle threader, you’d have to cut off the end of the needle and stitch it back together.
Choose the right needle for your project.
Before you start replacing your sewing machine needles, you’ll need to choose which type of needle you want to use. There are three different types of sewing machine needles: straight, curved, and zigzag. Each has its advantages, so you’ll want to pick the best needle for your specific project.
Straight needles are ideal for projects like quilting and embroidery. These needles come in sizes ranging from 1/8″ to 3/4″. Straight needles are usually made of metal and have a sharp point on one side.
Curved needles are popular for making clothing. Although they look similar to straight needles, they have a rounded tip instead of a pointed tip. The size range for curved needles varies between 5/16″ and 11/32″.
Zigzag needles are great for sewing knits. They have two points — one sharp and one blunt. The length of the needle ranges from 7/64″ to 2″.
If you’re unsure which needle would be best for your project, you can always try both. But if you decide later that you want to switch to another needle style, you won’t have to buy a new machine.
How to replace sewing machine needle – step by step
Step 1: Remove the cover from the top of your sewing machine
First, remove the cover from the top. You can gently pull up the tab near the front panel’s centre. Once the cover has been removed, you’ll see the main body of your sewing machine.
Step 2: Find the right hole.
Now that you’ve got the cover off look inside the machine. There should be a small hole on the left side of the machine. This hole is called the “needle eye.” The needle eye holds the needle in place while you’re sewing.
You’ll notice that the needle eye looks like a circle with four holes. These holes are known as the “eyelet”, and each one represents a different needle size.
You’ll also notice that the needle eye isn’t centred on the machine. Instead, it sits slightly above the middle of the machine. This is because the needle eye is designed to hold multiple sizes of needles. If you put a regular-sized needle into the needle eye, it would sit too far down and wouldn’t fit properly.
So now that you know which hole is the needle eye, you need to figure out which hole is the right size for your needle. To do this, take a pair of pliers and grip the end of the needle. Then pull it straight out of the needle eye.
If the needle fits perfectly into the hole, you’ve found the correct size. But if it doesn’t work, try another spot until you find the perfect fit.
Step 3: Insert the needle
Insert the needle into the hole once you’ve found the correct hole. Make sure that the tip of the needle sticks up through the bottom of the hole.
Step 4: Pull the thread tight
Next, grab the loose end of the thread and pull it tightly. Tighten the thread until it feels snug against the needle.
Step 5: Sew!
Finally, start stitching. Your new needle will make a nice, clean stitch.
Conclusion
Needles play an important role when it comes to sewing. Whether you use them for quilting or knitting, you’ll definitely want to keep track of how many times you use each type of needle. This way, you can easily tell whether you need to buy more of any particular kind.