‍

Image Source: FreeImages‍

Have you ever been in the middle of a machine embroidery project, only to have your needle break? It can be frustrating, time-consuming, and expensive to have to purchase and replace needles. Knowing why your machine embroidery needles keep breaking can help you prevent them from breaking in the future. This comprehensive guide will provide you with the essential information you need to understand why your machine embroidery needles keep breaking and how to prevent it from happening again. We will walk you through the basics of needle construction, the most common causes of needle breakage, and how to properly maintain your machine embroidery needles to ensure the best results. With this essential guide, you can ensure that your machine embroidery needles last longer and that your next project is successful.

What is a Machine Embroidery Needle?

To understand why your machine embroidery needles keep breaking, it is important to first understand the basics of what a machine embroidery needle is and how it works. A machine embroidery needle is a specially designed needle that is used to make embroidery designs on fabric. The needle itself is made from a steel shaft, which is then formed into a loop at one end with a sharp point at the other. The loop is called the “eye” and is designed to fit over the thread and hold the thread in place. The point of the needle is what penetrates the fabric and creates the stitches.

The size of the needle is determined by the width of the eye and the length of the shaft. The larger the eye and the longer the shaft, the larger the needle. Generally, machine embroidery needles come in sizes ranging from 70/10 to 90/14. The number before the slash (e.g. 90) indicates the width of the eye while the number after the slash (e.g. 14) indicates the length of the shaft.

In addition to the size of the needle, the type of needle is also important. The most common types of machine embroidery needles are universal, sharp, and ballpoint. Universal needles are the most versatile and are suitable for use with most fabrics. Sharp needles are designed for use with woven fabrics and are best for creating crisp and precise stitches. Ballpoint needles are designed for use with knits and stretch fabrics and are best for creating stitches that will not break the fabric.

Causes of Needle Breakage

Now that you know the basics of what a machine embroidery needle is, let’s look at some of the most common causes of needle breakage. The most common cause of needle breakage is incorrect needle size. If the needle is too small for the fabric, it can cause the needle to bend or break. If the needle is too large for the fabric, it can cause the fabric to be perforated or torn. In addition, if the needle is not properly inserted into the machine, it can cause the needle to break.

Another common cause of needle breakage is incorrect tension. If the tension is too tight, it can cause the needle to bend or break when stitching. On the other hand, if the tension is too loose, it can cause skipped stitches or loops in the fabric. Furthermore, an incorrect needle angle can also cause the needle to break. If the needle is inserted at an angle, it can cause the needle to bend or break when stitching.

Finally, incorrect threading can also cause the needle to break. If the thread is not properly secured to the needle, it can cause the needle to move or vibrate and eventually break. In addition, if the thread is not properly inserted into the fabric, it can cause the needle to break.

Factors that Increase the Risk of Needle Breakage

In addition to the causes of needle breakage, certain factors can increase the risk of needle breakage. For example, using the wrong type of needle for the fabric can cause the needle to break. For example, if you are using a sharp needle on a knit fabric, it can cause the needle to break. Furthermore, using a dull needle can also cause the needle to break. A dull needle will not penetrate the fabric properly and can cause the needle to break.

In addition, using the wrong type of thread can also increase the risk of needle breakage. If you are using a heavy thread on a fine fabric, it can cause the needle to break. Similarly, using a thin thread on a heavy fabric can also cause the needle to break. Finally, using incorrect tension can also cause the needle to break. If the tension is too tight, it can cause the needle to bend or break.

The Different Types of Machine Embroidery Needles

Now that you understand what causes needle breakage and what factors can increase the risk of needle breakage, let’s look at the different types of machine embroidery needles that are available. As mentioned earlier, the most common types of machine embroidery needles are universal, sharp, and ballpoint. In addition to these, there are also specialty needles such as topstitch, quilting, and metallic needles.

Universal needles are the most versatile and are suitable for use with most fabrics. They have a slightly rounded point and are used for general-purpose embroidery. Sharp needles are designed for use with woven fabrics and are best for creating crisp and precise stitches. They have a sharp point and are great for detailed embroidery. Ballpoint needles are designed for use with knits and stretch fabrics and are best for creating stitches that will not break the fabric. They have a slightly rounded point and are great for embroidering on stretch fabrics.

Topstitch needles are designed for use with heavier fabrics and heavier threads. They have a larger eye and a sharp point and are great for heavier embroidery such as quilting. Quilting needles are designed for use with quilting fabrics and threads. They have a larger eye and a sharp point and are great for creating detailed quilting designs. Metallic needles are designed for use with metallic threads and are best for creating intricate embroidery designs. They have a larger eye and a sharp point and are great for creating detailed embroidery.

How to Choose the Right Needle for Your Project

Now that you understand the different types of machine embroidery needles that are available, let’s look at how to choose the right needle for your project. The first step is to determine the type of fabric that you are embroidering. If you are embroidering a woven fabric such as cotton, linen, or silk, you should use a sharp needle. If you are embroidering a knit fabric such as Jersey or fleece, you should use a ballpoint needle. If you are embroidering a heavier fabric such as canvas or denim, you should use a topstitch needle.

The second step is to determine the type of thread that you are using. If you are using a heavy thread such as a metallic thread, you should use a metallic needle. If you are using a thin thread such as cotton thread, you should use a universal needle. Finally, if you are using a heavy thread on a lightweight fabric, you should use a sharp needle.

How to Properly Maintain Your Machine Embroidery Needles

Now that you know how to choose the right needle for your project, let’s look at how to properly maintain your machine embroidery needles. Proper maintenance of your machine embroidery needles is essential to ensure that they last longer and that your projects are successful. The first step is to make sure that the needle is properly inserted into the machine. If the needle is inserted incorrectly, it can cause the needle to break.

The second step is to make sure that the thread is properly secured to the needle. If the thread is not properly secured, it can cause the needle to move or vibrate and eventually break. In addition, make sure that the thread is properly inserted into the fabric. If the thread is not properly inserted, it can cause the needle to break.

The third step is to make sure that the needle is properly aligned with the fabric. If the needle is inserted at an angle, it can cause the needle to break. Finally, make sure that the tension is properly adjusted. If the tension is too tight, it can cause the needle to bend or break.

Tips for Reducing Needle Breakage

In addition to properly maintaining your machine embroidery needles, there are also some tips that you can follow to reduce the risk of needle breakage. The first tip is to always use the right type of needle for your fabric and thread. If you are using a heavy thread on a lightweight fabric, you should use a sharp needle. If you are using a thin thread on a heavy fabric, you should use a topstitch needle.

The second tip is to make sure that the needle is properly inserted into the machine. If the needle is inserted incorrectly, it can cause the needle to break. The third tip is to make sure that the thread is properly secured to the needle. If the thread is not properly secured, it can cause the needle to move or vibrate and eventually break.

The fourth tip is to make sure that the tension is properly adjusted. If the tension is too tight, it can cause the needle to bend or break. Finally, make sure to replace your needles regularly. If you use your needles for too long, they can become dull and can cause the needle to break.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this comprehensive guide has provided you with the essential information you need to understand why your machine embroidery needles keep breaking and how to prevent it from happening again. By understanding the basics of needle construction, the most common causes of needle breakage, and how to properly maintain your machine embroidery needles, you can ensure that your machine embroidery needles last longer and that your next project is successful. With this essential guide, you can now ensure that your machine embroidery needles are properly maintained and that your projects are successful.