Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-03-2005, 08:30 AM (1 of 9)
|
I have questions about needles. First, how often do you change them? I apparently have to order special ones since no one around here carries them. So, changing them with every project as I do on the sewing machine seems excessive. Secondly, these needles are made for a serger, I believe. Does that mean they can be used on knits or should I be ordering special ball point needles for knit fabric. I don't often work with knits but I have a beautiful sweater knit on the table waiting to be cut and I'd like to have the needles by the time I'm ready to work with it. What I am using is Schmetz system ELx705 as recommended by Pfaff. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-03-2005, 07:14 PM (2 of 9)
|
Dorothy I don't know your needles, but as an old nurse I always test my needles before changing them. I learned to nurse just 3 years before disposible needles came out so we had to test and resharpen needles before they were resterilzed. I figure if you want a needle to puncture skin easily fabric should be a cinch! I take a cotton ball and gently pull the needle across in both directions it so that you cover all sides, angles and the tip. If there is any catching at all, no matter how slight do it again. If still some catching you can sharpen with a wet stone not too much or will make uneven puncture, as many old butts found out! Test again with cotton ball. Personally I never resharpen them, but I do hand sewing needles as I am very fussy and can't always find the ones I like. Good luck. Don't know about knit needles. I don't use mine enough so throw them out after each project. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
|
User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
|
From: bridesmom
Date: 10-04-2005, 08:33 AM (3 of 9)
|
I read in a Nancy Zieman book that you can pierce a piece of very fine sandpaper a few times with your needle to give it a quick sharpen. Then like our Nancy mentioned, check it with a cotton ball for burrs. I've done it quite a few times on different needles and it seems to work fine. But if its a really good piece of fabric and I want to be extra careful I put in new needles. I have a pin cushion with my old needles stuck in it, and I will do the sandpaper thing on those ones before reusing them.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Kylnne2
Date: 10-04-2005, 05:14 PM (4 of 9)
| Dorothy, EL x 705 needles are the recommended needles for coverhem stitch. Two sizes of them are available..80/12 and 90/14. For some coverhem sergers you can use a 130/705H conventional needle for special threads and fabrics. Some sergers take regular household needles and some sergers take only industrial needles and industrial needles of a certain type. I would go by what your manual states. |
User: Kylnne2
Member since: 07-10-2004 Total posts: 629 |
From: Aimee S
Date: 10-06-2005, 01:32 AM (5 of 9)
|
I use the same needles you use for my coverstitch machine. I got mine at All brands. got them in the 100 pack. I was not able to find them anywhere else. I got them there as a last resort but the price was right. 40.00 for 100 plus shipping. I got a 100 box of each size and they arrived in a week. I change mine every 8 hours of sewing if it is with natral fibers and every 4 hours with synthetic fibers. The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-06-2005, 08:00 AM (6 of 9)
|
Aimee - Are they good for knits? Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Aimee S
Date: 10-06-2005, 09:39 AM (7 of 9)
|
They are great. I really like them cause I can go from knits to woovens and I get the same performance. I really like them
The more you disaprove, the more fun I am having!
http://photos.yahoo.com/aimeehs29 |
User: Aimee S
Member since: 02-23-2003 Total posts: 488
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 10-06-2005, 10:35 AM (8 of 9)
|
Thanks -- that's what I needed to know. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Aussie sewer
Date: 10-16-2005, 01:31 AM (9 of 9)
|
Hi Dorothy - I don't have a problem getting these needles in Australia. Isn't that odd. It's normally the other way round and we can never find what you have. Elna uses the same needles if that helps. Not sure if you have an Elna supplier anywhere near. I know we have the same machine and I've used mine on knits with no worries. Cheers Maree 
|
User: Aussie sewer
Member since: 06-02-2005 Total posts: 29 |
Visit Sew What’s Up for the latest sewing and quilting tips and discussions.
This page was originally located on Sew What’s New (www.sew-whats-new.com) at http://www.sew-whats-new.com/vb/archive/index.php/t-17014.html
Sew What’s Up is hosted by ZenSoft