There are many more aspects to a Sewing Needle than meets the eye, especially to beginning sewers.

In fact, there are a total of seven types of Needles.

For example, there are specific sewing machine needles and fabric needles.  The type of needle you need depends on the task you want to perform.

The many aspects that go into a needle all determine the type, such as the eye, depth, point, and needle gauge.

Not only will knowing the type of your needle be more beneficial to the sewing task you are doing, but it will also help you with one of the trickiest steps to sewing of all: knowing how to thread a needle.

So, here are the seven types of needles every sewer needs to know for a better, smoother, and successful sew.

1. Ball Point Needles

Ball point needles have a much more rounded point, instead of the traditional sharp point common in all the other needles.  This is what makes the ball point needle unique, and gives it its name.

The ball point needle is used specifically for tasks such as knitting, and does extremely well with stretch fabrics.

Additionally, the larger the size of the needle, the more rounded the point is going to be.

What makes the ball point needles so great for knitting is the fact that the rounded points allow the needle to push smoothly push through the yarn, instead of stabbing it like sharp needles.

So if you are a knitter or someone who works a lot with stretch fabric, the ball point needle is a worthy tool to have close at hand.

2. Quilting Point Needles

Quilting point needles have a trapped point, which makes it specifically useful for the stitching of multiple fabric layers.

One reason why this particular trapped point is good for stitching several fabric layers is because the point prevents damage to the fabric.

This is something you definitely don’t want to happen to your layers.

3. Regular Point Needles

Also called the sharp point needle, the regular point needle is the most commonly known type of needle out there.

With a very sharp point and tiny eye, the regular point needle does well for sewing with fabrics such as cotton and linen.

Like the quilting point needle, regular points prevent damage to occur to the fabric.  It also allows for a nice, even stitch to be sewn on to the fabric cleanly and safely.

4. Topstitching Needles

The topstitching needle does well with heavy topstitching threads, and is good for tasks that involve the sewing of leather or thick fabric.

To make it so tough and durable, the topstitching needles have a larger eye and a deeper groove to allow for thicker threads.

Another great thing about the topstitching needle is that the larger eye also lets the sewer double thread, which can give you a more accurate stitch and more intricate design.

5. Embroidery Needles

These needles are for exactly what the name suggests: embroidering.

Like the topstitching needles, an embroidery needle has a larger eye for thicker threads and allows for double threading.

Additionally, the needle protects the embroidery threads and allows for a beautiful and detailed embroider on your fabric.

6. Wedge Point Needles

Wedge point needles are dedicated to the sewing of leather and vinyl.

These operations require a strong, sturdy stitch and therefore a strong and sturdy needle, and the wedge point provides just that.

Additionally, the size, thickness, and feel of your leather can and will vary.  Therefore, the wedge point needle sizes also vary to adjust to the different kinds of leather.

Because of this, there is a smaller needle specifically for softer leather or vinyl thread.  Likewise, the larger needle is fit for harder and heavier leather or vinyl.

7. Universal Point Needles

And finally, we have the universal point needles.

These types of needles are used specifically for sewing machine operations and functions.

However, they are only fit for and should only be used for woven fabric such as cotton or knitting fabric.

Because of the thin types of fabric it is used for, the universal point needle can easily slip through the waves of the fabric, allowing for a much easier and faster stitching job.

There You Have it: the Seven Types of Needles Every Sewer Should Know.

There are so many kinds of needles out there.

Knowing these main seven will help you know which tools to use for which sewing projects, something that will help you sew more efficiently and get more accurate and intricate results.

Whether you are sewing by hand or sewing by machine, six of these seven needles (excluding the Universal Point Needle specifically for sewing machines) have the capabilities to sew regardless the method.

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