The sewing machine needle has a very short life span. You would too, if you were jumping into and out of layers of fabric (of varying thicknesses) at supersonic speed, multiple times a minute. Bear with me while I illustrate this concept with my still elementary drawing skills. Haha.

From left: here you are at the beginning of a sewing project — sharp and ready to pierce the fabric.

Middle: Great job! Look at you go. A winner, in my opinion, and on your way to completing a well-made project with smooth seams, not a pucker in sight and totally suited to the fabric. You willingly adapt to a change in stitch when the operator changes the stitch length and stitch configuration such as in embroidery stitches. You bravely go back and forth, up and down according to the embroidery motif. Applause is in order.

Right: Done. Whew; you feel wrung out and blunt. You need to go rest in needle heaven — forever.

What a champion! That is what a sewing machine needle does when taking you through the process of creating a good sewn item. Reaching out to your inner Marie Kondo, thank it for doing a monumental job considering it’s minuscule dimensions.

Don’t believe me? Before beginning to sew, poke the new needle on your fingertip; does it hurt? Yes! At the end of your work, poke it again; no ouchie this time, which tells you it is now blunt.

Onto your next project? USE A NEW NEEDLE! The old one is tired and will skip stitches and generally do a poor job.

There’s much information out there for fabric-specific needle sizes. Go forth and search…

Love,

Samina