I didn’t realize some sergers needed special needles, it looks like mine takes the same needles as my other machines (standard flat back 130/705H needles). I just checked and all of my machines use those which is convenient.
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What a fantastic store! I would be in there with @MamaRhi and we could take lunch together! Wow!
I use standard sewing machine needles with my serger. I have loads of ball point needles but I only used them a few times when I used some knit jersey on my regular machine. I don’t make a lot of things with knits.
I like Maxilock thread as well and have, er, lots of colors…two drawers full. BUT, I mostly use black, white and beige. On lighter fabrics, sometimes the other colors show through when I serge due to the density of the stitching. I think I remember red and navy bleeding so I don’t use those for serging. I should just toss them, but I have used the threads for non-sewing things.
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I thinks got a bit lost in translation!
I think the same needles technically fit into both machines, but where for sewing on a sewing machine you’d use a jeans needle for jeans, a stretch needle for stretch fabric, a quilting needle for quilting etc, there’s only one type of overlock needle for sale as far as I know. Not special ones for stretch fabric, jeans fabric etc. At least I’ve not seen them for sale anywhere.
I just found those coverstitch needles in my stash too, looks like they came with my machine but I don’t think I’ve used them. I haven’t changed the needles when I switched from coverstitch to serging.
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I found this image which is a good visual difference
From my research I think ballpoint is for jersey/knits and stretch is for things like spandex or Lycra.
I think needles have 2 main variables - the shank shape (the part that goes into the machine) and the point/tip (the “type” of needle).
All of my machines take standard flat backed needles - 130/705H, so any of the needles you have on the right side of your picture
I looked up your overlocker and it does require a different shank shape (the part that goes into the machine) - ELx705
You can buy different points/“types” (universal, ballpoint, stretch, etc) of needles in each shank shape (130/705H or ELx705).
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I use “stretch” when I make bras. I have jeans needles for heavy denim. But otherwise I think the rest of mine are universal of various sizes. I had no idea the needle tips were sharper than universal on some.
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I’m no expert, obviously, but I think as long as you’re getting the effect you want and it isn’t skipping stitches you can stick with whatever needle you want.
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Good thing I’ve only ever used the needles on the left for my coverlock machine then! I thought as they all had 705 in the name the size was the same, just intended for a different type of machine, I had no idea the actual shank was different! They do look very similar so the difference must be quite small.
I see ballpoint is the same as jersey, that’s a type of needle I’m familiar with, but only for sewing machine needles. I haven’t seen any ELx705 needles for specific fabrics like jersey, but maybe they exist online.
The main difference between an overlock needle and a regular sewing needle is that a sewing machine needle has one front groove, like in your picture, and an overlock needle has a double front groove. I’m not sure what the reason for that is, but I’m assuming there is one.
I do use quite many different sewing needles, I use Microtex a lot for more fragile fabrics because they really are a lot sharper, jeans for heavier fabrics, quilting needle for quilting and topstitch.
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Talking about needles… @Immaculata I noticed that a lot of your needles are size 11. My standard is a 14 and I use those the most. I’ve only used 11 for sheer or very light fabrics.
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I was thinking about making some pattern weights (maybe using handwoven fabric) and was wondering what people filled them with and how heavy they should be. I’ve seen some made with large washers, are those heavy enough? If I mainly want to sew stretch fabrics, would that change how heavy I’d want my weights to be?
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Mine are filled with fish gravel. I used duck cloth as the outer fabric. The loops are handy to grab. I have three sets for a total of 18.
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I think that’s because these all happen to be microtex / stretch needles that are typically for more fragile fabrics. For plain cotton I would normally use a universal 80 (12) or 90 (14) and even bigger for denim or corduroy. I have always been taught that in case of doubt, go lower rather than higher because smaller sizes do less damage.
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I like the ones I made with fabric covered washers better than a bunch of premade I bought (shaped like teeny tomato pincushions, so cute!)
They’re plenty heavy enough if you use big washers & stack a couple together.
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Love those! The handles look really useful. I found this mid-weight upholstery(?) fabric in my stash I think might work well. I also found some poly pellets but I might pick up some aquarium rock instead since it’s way cheaper and probably heavier so I could make them smaller.
I also have these lined curtain scraps from when I did my studio curtains. The lining might be nice so nothing can work its way out but I prefer the other fabric.
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For thread, do you use the same threads in the needles as the loopers? I saw something about using a “wooly nylon” for the loopers, is that just for certain fabrics?
Second question - are Schmetz needles worth the price premium compared to organ? I bought a ton of organ needles like 10 years ago. I think they were around $20 for 100 universal needles.
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This intro to sewing playlist is great! He explains everything really clearly and concisely. I really like how he shows everything and doesn’t have a lot of fluff.
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Oh, I love that guy. I use to follow him when I was on Insta. I also like Cornelius Quiring, a little quirky, but great sewing tips.
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Thanks for the recommendation, I just checked him out. His tips are great!
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Does anyone have an ironing board they like? Ours is probably 25 years old and wobbly. I’m wondering if a wider ironing board would be nice.
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Ha, my ironing board is 51 years old. It was a wedding present. It creaks terribly when you open or close it and is a tiny bit wobbly. That may just be the floor. I’ve had to repaint under the pad several times because it rusts from the steam. I also have a small table top one I use next to my sewing machine when quilting.
So sorry, no recommendations. Though I am looking for a smaller one due to space.
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