Brother Sewing Machine Needles – How to Choose the Right Size

April 1, 2021

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Choosing the correct needle for your sewing machine may seem straightforward, but you’d be surprised how big of a hassle it can be. Most sewing machine needles look similar, and choosing one that’s incorrect or incompatible can ruin your sewing piece or even damage your machine.

If you want to avoid uneven stitching, shredded threads, and permanent damage, you need to understand which needles will work with your sewing machine.

How Can We Help?

Our useful guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing the correct needle for a Brother sewing machine. We’ll also explain the different parts of sewing machine needles and why certain types are more suitable for particular types of fabric.

Why are There Different Types of Sewing Machine Needles?

At one time, all sewing machines used the same type of needle. While needles were available in different lengths, they all had the same width and shape. Today, sewing enthusiasts have a wide variety from which they can choose.

Specialized needles make it easier to complete specific sewing tasks and manufacturers have begun offering ones specifically designed to work with their machines.

Several factors will play a role in determining the appropriate needle. For starters, the fabric you’re working with is important. Next, you’ll need to consider which thread you’re using as they’re available in different thicknesses. Various kinds of stitching, whether you’re hem-stitching or doing decorative stitching, also require a different type of needle.

Additionally, each brand of sewing machine requires specific sewing needles. However, most home sewing machines, including those made by Brother, use a 130/705H needle system, so they’re easy to find.

So, Which Type do I Choose?

While this might sound complicated, the truth is the average home sewer can get away with using a standard size 12 universal needle for most of their tasks. However, if you’re planning to perform some specialized stitching patterns or work with some unique fabrics, it might be worth investing in some specialized sewing needles.

While universal needles are designed for the majority of sewing tasks, specialized ones follow unique shapes and configurations to manage specific types of thread and fabric. This reduces the likelihood of skipped and flawed stitches.

We’ll provide a table below that’ll help you determine which needle type you should use with which fabric and thread.

Fabric, Thread, and Needle Combinations for Brother Sewing Machines

You can refer to this table to determine which type of needle you should use for specific sewing tasks for any non-commercial Brother sewing machine. However, investing in a few universal needles is always a good decision as you’ll use them for the majority of your sewing tasks.

Fabric Type/Application		Thread		Size of Needle
		Type	Size
Mediumweight fabrics	Broadcloth	Cotton thread	60 – 90	75/11 – 90/14
	Taffeta	Synthetic thread
	Flannel, Gabardine	Silk thread	50
Thin fabrics	Lawn	Cotton thread	60 – 90	65/9 – 75/11
	Georgette	Synthetic thread
	Challis, Satin	Silk thread	50
Thick fabrics	Denim	Cotton thread	30	100/16
			50	90/14 – 100/16
	Corduroy	Synthetic thread	50 – 60
	Tweed	Silk thread
Stretch fabrics	Jersey	Thread for knits	50 – 60	Ball point needle 75/11 – 90/14 (gold colored)
	Tricot
Easily frayed fabrics		Cotton thread	50 – 90	65/9 – 90/14
		Synthetic thread
		Silk thread	50
For topstitching		Synthetic thread, Silk thread	30	100/16
			50 – 60	75/11 – 90/14

The Different Parts of Sewing Machine Needles

The following are a sewing machine needle’s main features. Their size and dimensions will vary from one type to the next.

Shaft – The thickness of the needle’s body, rather than the length, will determine its size.
Front Groove – The slit above the eye, it should be large enough to cradle the thread you’re using.
Point – This is the tip of the needle,which penetrates the fabric. The point’s shape and size will vary depending on the type of needle.
Shank – This is the top of the needle,which connects to the machine. Most domestic sewing machines use the same shank style.
Eye – The hole at the end of the needle, which is where the thread passes through. Different threads require different-sized needle eyes.

Recommended Needles for Brother Sewing Machines

The following needles are compatible with Brother sewing machines. They’re a great choice for those looking to keep some high-quality needles on hand: