Sewing needles can be fragile things and can break for various reasons. If you’re sewing and you hear a snap, you have probably just broken your needle. Don’t panic! You can still finish your project.
But first, you need to understand why your needle broke.
Why do sewing machine needles break and what do you do if it happens? The answer is not simple and depends on the type of needle you are using and the machine you are using it on.
If you are using a straight stitch needle you need to make sure you are not pushing the thread too hard when you sew.
If you are using a zigzag needle you need to make sure you are not sewing over pins or other objects.
Needles break because of threading issues
When you thread your needle, you want to make sure you don’t pull your thread too tight or too loose. If you do, you could cause the needle to snap.
To avoid this, push the thread into the eye of the needle until it stops. You should leave about an inch of thread on each side of the needle; this will help reduce the risk of threading issues that cause the needle to snap.
Needles break because it is hitting stitch plate
It’s common for a needle to break while sewing, but there are three main reasons why it can happen and a few ways to avoid it. Stitch Plate: The needle’s tip is hitting the plate of your machine thus breaking the needle.
Needles break because it is hitting stitch plate. The needle is the part that actually penetrates the fabric.
The needle is hollow and it is connected to the thread. When you pull the thread, it is the needle that goes through the fabric.
The point of the needle is very sharp and thin. If you don’t take care when you use the needle, it may break or bend.
The stitch plate is the metal frame that the machine uses to make the stitches. The stitch plate has holes in it.
The needle has to go through the holes in the stitch plate. Sometimes the needle isn’t as sharp.
The needle hits the bobbin case, bends, and breaks
The needle hits the bobbin case, bends, and breaks. The bobbin case is made from a metal that is too hard to bend, the needle is too thin to remain intact, and the bobbin case is too hard to remain intact.
The needle is too thin to bend, and the bobbin case is too hard to remain intact. The needle is too thin to remain intact, and the bobbin case is too hard to bend.
The needle is too thin to remain intact, the bobbin case is too hard to bend, and the needle is too long to fit into the bobbin.
The thread is too thick for needle size
Thread is the one material in sewing that can be a little tricky to handle. There are usually two different types of thread for sewing: cotton and polyester. Cotton thread is made of a natural fiber, while polyester thread is made of a synthetic fiber.
In order to determine which one to use, it is important to know the size of the needle. Cotton thread is usually used with polyester needles because it is thicker.
If you are using a size 14 needle with cotton thread, the thread might be too thick to fit through. If you are using a size 10 needle with cotton thread, then the thread might be too thin to be useful.
Sewing machine needle breaks when sewing backward
If you are sewing and notice a drop in your top speed, or the needle is getting stuck in your fabric and being dragged along then you may need to change your needle.
You can try the needle in another machine or needle threader to see if the needle is bent. If it is bent you will have to replace it.
In some cases sewing backward will cause the needle to break. This causes the hook to bend or break off. It is important to understand this is not a machine issue but a needle issue.
If you have ever tried sewing a very thick piece of fabric like denim, you might have noticed the needle of your machine bending to one side because the sewing machine could not push it through the fabric.
A needle is the most important part of the sewing machine. It is the actual part that pierces the fabric and helps stitch the layers of fabric together.
Sewing with double needles
Sewing with double needles is a great way to sew a strong seam; however, there is a trick to using them.
If the sewing machine is straining to push the double-needle through the fabric, the thread tension is too tight.
If you don’t adjust the tension, the needle will quickly break at the shank (metal tube inside the needle), leaving you with one needle to sew with.
Tips for when a needle breaks in your sewing machine
Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced seamstress, broken needles are something that might happen to you. They can be frustrating and cause unexpected delays in your sewing projects; however, they’re often easily fixable.
When accidents happen, it’s a good idea to be prepared. In the case of a broken needle stuck in your sewing machine, it’s possible to remove it without too much trouble.
You’ll need a few simple household items, along with some patience and a little bit of time. Remove the needle from the sewing machine. Use a paperclip, knitting needle, or other thin, sturdy wire to push the broken needle out of the machine.
If you can’t remove the needle, turn the handwheel to raise the needle. Be careful not to touch the needle or the top of the machine.
In Conclusion
When your sewing machine needle breaks (and it will, it’s only a matter of time), your first thought might be that you have to go to the store and buy a new one. But before you do that, there’s a way to save a little money-and preserve the environment in the process.
All you need is a replacement needle for your machine (and if you don’t know what kind you need, have your sewing machine manual handy), a pair of scissors, a seam ripper, and a piece of sandpaper.
