When was the Last Time You Changed Your Needle?

by Nicole

“Pop! Pop! Pop!” was the sound that I heard coming from my machine as I worked on my Children at Play quilt. I checked to see if there was any lint caught under the stitch plate. Nothing. I checked to see that the thread was in properly. It looked okay.  I checked to see that the needle was inserted properly. That looked fine. But still the popping sound continued every time I sewed.

And then I asked myself, “When was the last time you changed this needle?”

It had been a while. I know that you’re supposed to change your needle every 4-6 hours of sewing time, but I can never figure out exactly how long that is. Usually seeing my stitches start to look funny is a reminder that I need a new needle.

To see if my needle was the culprit of this weird sound, I popped in a new needle. And would you believe that’s all it took to bring my machine back to its usual purr?

So just in case your machine starts to sound a little funny, you may want to pop in a new needle to stop your machine from complaining.

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9 comments

Paige July 31, 2012 - 1:19 am

I definitely do not change my needle often enough. Glad you're back on track!

Heidi Staples July 31, 2012 - 1:40 am

I haven't changed my needle often, but boy does it make a difference when I take the time to do it!

Anna July 31, 2012 - 1:58 am

Where did you get your free motion foot? And what brand is it? I am looking into buying one soon and would love to hear how you like yours! 🙂

Debbie July 31, 2012 - 3:09 am

I changed my needle this last weekend and usually put in a new one every time I start to machine quilt. Since I do that pretty regularly between all my piecing, it seems to work!

Heather July 31, 2012 - 3:24 am

I feel like changing my needle is the equivalent of rebooting my computer!

CitricSugar July 31, 2012 - 5:33 am

I am so terrible at remembering to change the needle. I've gotten better at changing before I start quilting a big project, but little stuff…. And yet, i'm always amazed at how big a difference it makes.

Katy Cameron July 31, 2012 - 2:36 pm

Hee hee, that noise is usually how I know I sewed over a pin ;o)

Cherie July 31, 2012 - 7:51 pm

I changed my needle just before I stopped sewing a month ago. My needles usually last quite long. I'd feel I was using up too many if I changed them every 4-6 hours =D

thisyearsdozen July 31, 2012 - 10:52 pm

I try to change to a new needle at the beginning of each new project and for sure before I begin quilting a quilt.

I sometimes get a crunching sound when sewing. Like dry rubbing on something. I know it is time to clean the bobbin compartment and add a drop of oil. I hate taking it all apart but each time I do, problem solved. Annoying sound goes away.

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