What is a needle? Classification of needles for needlework

2024 Author: Sierra Becker | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-26 03:46

A needle is a tool used for sewing, felting, embroidery and other needlework. The result of the work largely depends on its correct choice. For example, if you purchase a set of quilting needles that do not glide well enough, you may have difficulty sewing small parts.

How to choose the right needle

Using the right tool helps ensure the quality of the finished product. How to choose the best option, depending on a particular type of work? One of the main parameters is the size. The general rule is to use the smallest needle diameter.

The larger the tool, the larger the hole it makes. And while some fabrics can return to their original shape after a project is finished, others, like leather, can't. A needle is essentially a small knife that cuts through the skin, so it's important that it's strong and sharp.

Multipurpose needles

There are universal tools, the eye size of which is somewhat smaller than that of standard ones,designed for certain types of work. Still, you can't use the same needle for different projects.

Multipurpose needles can be used when creating embroidery or sewing, but if you want to create a quality product, it is important to use a professional tool. For example, ordinary embroidery with a needle designed for ribbon can ruin the canvas and break the pattern.

Main types of handmade needles

Hand needles are divided into several types, according to their purpose:

1. Sharp needles are designed for hand sewing. They are usually pointed, round-eyed, and medium in length.
2. Appliqué needle is a versatile needle that can be used in sewing, appliqué and patchwork.
3. Embroidery needle - with a blunt end and an enlarged eye, which makes it easier to thread a thick thread or multiple threads.
4. Quilting needle - short, with a small rounded eye. It is used when creating delicate seams on heavy fabrics, when sewing clothes, blankets and other similar work.
5. Beading needle - very fine, with a narrow eye so that it can pass through the center of the bead or bead along with the thread.
6. Dubbing needles are long, thick needles used in fly tying.
7. Tapestry needles are tools with a large eye that allows them to carry more weight of yarn than other needles. They have a blunt tip, usually bent at a slight angle from the rest of the needle. Thanks toTherefore, the needle can pass through loosely woven threads of the fabric without tearing it.
8. Chenille needles are similar to tapestry needles, but with large, long eyes and a very sharp point that can cut through tightly woven threads of fabric. Used when embroidering with ribbons.
9. Darning needles (sometimes called finishing needles). They have a blunt tip and a large eye, making them similar to tapestry but larger.
10. Skin needles are a wedge-shaped instrument designed to pierce the skin without tearing. Often used for materials such as vinyl and plastic.
11. Sail needles are similar to leather needles, but they are triangular in shape and are designed for sewing thick canvas or leather.
12. Tatting needles have a uniform thickness throughout their length, including around the eye, so that the thread is more easily pulled through the double stitches used in weaving.
13. Upholstery needles are heavy and long. They can be straight or curved. This tool is used when sewing thick fabrics and upholstery.

In a separate category allocate needles used for felting wool. Their shape differs from the tools used in hand sewing by the absence of an eyelet.

Classification of felting needles

Felting needles are used to compact the material. Wool fibers rub against each other and lock into place to create a denser material called felt.

There are several varieties of theseneedle:

• triangular;
• twisted triangular;
• reverse triangular;
• star-shaped;
• twisted star;
• crown.

They all differ in purpose and form:

1. The triangular needle is a three-sided tool with notches along its entire length. It is used for coarse felting.
2. The reverse needle plucks out the fibers, allowing you to create fur on animal toys that looks like real hair.
3. "Asterisk" has four sides. It is suitable for fine work and shaping small parts.
4. Twisted needles speed up the felting process, thanks to more notches at the ends.

All tools used in felting are very sharp and can severely injure hands if thimbles are not used.