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[sewkiwi]

Can anyone tell me what twin needle I use for woven fabrics?

I normally use schmetz needles and can find twin needles for knits but I can never see any that indicate they are for wovens.

Also does anyone know if the twin needles come in ballpoint twin or do Schmetz only make a stretch twin. Hope that makes sense.

Also is there a way to tell the difference between the different needles if they have been mixed up with each other and is there a way to tell if a needle is no good for sewing. I haven't been too organised with my needles in the past and some are mixed up and I can't tell which ones have been used more than others and which ones are which, ballpoint or universal etc.

Thanks
Hayley

[Kate XXXXXX]

First off, no, it's almost impossible to tell what type of needle you have, other than the maker and the size, once it's away from the packet, unless you have some of the colour coded ones. it's also usually very difficult to tell whay condition the needle is in just by looking, though you can sometimes see that the pint has gone flat if it's very worn.

Best advice is to discard all the muddled needles and start afresh. Use a new needle for every project or ever 5 hours of sewing time. During a projects, if you have to swap needles out and re-use them, the best thing to do is stab them through a bit of paper and write the type and size beside it. Don't put them back in the packet as they will be indistinguishable from unused ones... The only exceptions I make to this are things like twin and triple needles, which come one to a pack. I label the pack USED if the needle has been used.

Schmetz make a vast range of needles. Twin universals in several widths are available for woven fabrics. I think they range from 2mm to 9mm gaps. They make a smaller range of stretch/knit twin needles. They also make triple needles and several other specialist types.
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Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

[sewkiwi]

Thanks again Kate for your answer. I assumed schmetz made a universal twin but I could not find or see one at our local Spotlight (NZ) so thought maybe not. I will have to check out another sewing store.

I will defintely begin to organise my needles better now so I know which is which and what's been used LOL!

Thanks heaps
Hayley
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www.spinthepin.blogspot.com

[Kate XXXXXX]

Your shop was probably just out of stock. Usually universal twins are easier to find that Jersey twins. I stock up on line when shopping for other stuff. saves the postage.
_________________
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!

[sewkiwi]

I love online shopping - means I don't hvae to lug my boys out to the shops, they hate shopping and they definetely don't like going to sewing/fabric stores I have to try and organise to go when I can leave my boys behind
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www.spinthepin.blogspot.com

[Kate XXXXXX]

It means I don't have to wait for Himself to drive me! And I don't have a Giant Mutant Ninja Teenager growling and grunting with boredom! He's OK if we are fabric shopping for HIM, mind...
_________________
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!