When learning a sewing machine’s basic features and procedures, needle changing is an essential component. Along with all the queries, a beginner might be confused about how to put a needle in a sewing machine.
Therefore, we are here to resolve all your confusion. With the help of this post, you will be able to insert any needle easily into a sewing machine. We are going to break the whole process or needle insertion into simple steps for your convenience and with a little practice, you’ll eventually be able to do it by yourself.
First things first, the majority of the sewing machines from different manufacturers follow the same procedure of putting a needle in a sewing machine. For instance, Singer, Brother and Janome Sewing machines offer their own procedure for putting needles in different models of sewing machines.
Therefore, we are going to pick up the general procedure that can be followed for almost every sewing machine.
Which needles should be used in a sewing machine?
A variety of needles are used depending on the fabric material and thread type. Each project needs a different type of needle and if the required needle is not used then it may cause several issues. For instance, a wrong needle can jam a sewing machine, skip stitches, or may bend or break.
The basic needle collection has a wide variation in it. Like, as embroidery needles, topstitch needles, wing needles, double or triple needles, stretch needles, sharp needles, jeans needles, leather needles, meta-fil needles, etc.
You should choose the needle depending on the project you are working on. Your fabric material tells about the type of needle that you should be using.
What causes a needle to break?
Before putting a needle in a sewing machine, two things really matter. One is to assess the needle(more on that later in the procedure) and the other is to know the causes behind a broken needle.
- Overtightening of the needle clamp can result in the form of a broken needle.
- The reduced upper or lower tension in the thread approaching from the top or bottom can be a reason behind a bent or broken needle.
- A jammed sewing machine can also break the needle.
- A tilted needle can also break while insertion, that’s why assessment is really necessary.
How to easily put a needle in a sewing machine?
The fundamentals of inserting a needle can be broken down into two simple steps. The first is removing the previously existing needle and replacing it with a new needle the second step. But there’s more to it. Let’s dive into the details.
Step 1; Removing the previous needle
- Precautions are always a priority. To begin with, switch off your sewing machine. Always before making any changes in the needle section, make sure to switch it off. This will prevent any kind of harm to your hand.
- Secondly, loosen the screw using your right hand while holding the needle with your left hand. This will avoid needles from falling. (Be careful with the screw, you don’t need to remove it completely. Just a bit of loosening can help)
- The majority of the sewing machine’s accessories include a screwdriver which helps in loosening some stiff screws.
- After loosening the needle will be easier to exclude from the clamp.
Step 2; Putting a needle in the sewing machine
- Assess the accurate needle for your new project and inspect it by laying the needle straight on a flat surface. You’ll be able to detect that the needle is not bent, or broken and is straight.
- Now keep the flat side of the needle to the back of the sewing machine, and push the needle into the needle clamp as far as it easily goes. Make sure to secure the needle in the clamp by tightening the screw. ( Be careful over-tightening can break the needle and damage the machine as well)
- Remember that you can use the screwdriver to tighten the screw.
- Once you are done putting the needle into the sewing machine. You can now rethread it before turning the sewing machine ‘ON’.
Easy-peasy ways to put a needle into the sewing machine
The above-suggested procedure is mainly taken from manuals of a variety of sewing machines. But there are two simple ways of putting a needle into the sewing machine. Basically, two tools facilitate a beginner to expert level sewer by saving them extra time and inserting the needle within seconds. Let’s have a glance first.
1. Dritz 253 Needle inserter and threader
A very affordable automatic needle inserter and threader are available by name of Dritz 253 Needle inserter and threader. It reduces eye strain and changes the needle within seconds. It has the ability to hold the needle firm and steady without breaking it and inserting or removing instantly and conveniently.
Also, it is very easy to use a Dritz Needle inserter. You just need to follow the suggested instructions given on the cover of the tool. And rest is the tool’s job.
2. Singer Machine Needle inserter
This one is a plastic tool loaded with springs and manufactured by Singer. This is a comparatively cheaper automatic tool. It generates a spring drop sound once the needle is depressed into the clamp. Which makes it pretty much clear that the needle has reached the right place. Similar to the rest of the automatic needle inserters, using a Singer machine needle inserter is also very easy.
Summary
The majority of sewing machines follow the same procedure and Precautions for putting a needle into a sewing machine. We have gone through several manuals before suggesting a general way. So following these steps is safe and recommendable.
Besides, you can also choose from the mentioned automatic options for needle insertion. And the advantage of using these automatic tools is that they can also be used for removing needles and threading a needle. So it’s good to enjoy a multifunctional tool and spare some minutes out of a hectic project only for yourself.