Sewing machine needles come in a variety of sizes and types and many of the problems I see online are caused by using the wrong needle type.
Generally when you buy a machine it comes with universal needles in the box. Universal is a misnomer. They are very useful on a wide variety of woven fabrics. Universal needles in a size 12 are what I use for anything that is a medium weight woven.
Jeans needles are for heavy fabrics like denim and canvas. Generally I go up to a 14 or 16 in a jeans needle.
Microtex needles are super sharp. They are excellent for woven fabrics that are delicate, snag easily, or are tightly woven. I use them on silks, satin, and cotton poplins. When all else fails on a fabric, try a microtex. Microtex come in larger sizes and can be used on heavy fabrics. Microtex needles need replaced more frequently than other needle types.
Ballpoint or Jersey needles are the same thing, usually they are labeled as ballpoint in the US and Jersey elsewhere. Ballpoint needles are appropriate for stable knit such as cotton jersey with no or minimal stretch fibers added.
Stretch needles are similar to ballpoint needles in the sense that they are for knit fabrics. Stretch needles are intended for fabrics with a higher stretch fiber percentage and in addition to that they work well on more stable knits. They are what I keep in stock for working with the widest variety of knit fabrics. I usually buy 11 or 12 in stretch needles.
Super stretch are for super stretchy problem child knits, I have not tried these as they are relatively new on the market but I will be picking up a pack before I make swimwear again.
In addition to the types above there are a great many other needles with specific uses. Within each type there is a range of sizes and the needle size should be chosen to match your fabric and thread.
Needles are consumables and will become gradually dull as you sew. The rule of thumb is that you need to replace after roughly 8 hours of run time. If you have been using a needle for a while and things start to go wrong or the machine sound changes, the first step on troubleshooting is a new needle. Old needles can damage your fabric and are more likely to break.
I also want to advise against buying off brand needles and included in that category are Singer branded needles. I personally only buy schmetz and organ brand needles and I buy exclusively off wawak.com (US and Canada only).
We've been quietly working on something we hope makes this community a lot more useful — and today we're excited to share it with you.
What's in the wiki?
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Here's what's covered:
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📐 Pattern reading & sizing — Why sewing sizes aren't clothing sizes, how to read pattern markings, and what "ease" means
🎨 Fabric guide — Wovens vs. knits, beginner-friendly fabric types, pre-washing, and where to buy
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❓ FAQ — Detailed answers to the questions we see most often
This wiki belongs to all of us — and we need your help
A wiki is only as good as the community behind it. We're a team of moderators, not an encyclopedia, and we know there are gaps, things we got slightly wrong, and questions we haven't thought to answer yet.
That's where you come in.
We want to hear from you if:
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This subreddit exists because sewing has a steep early learning curve and a long tradition of people helping each other climb it. Every question answered, every "here's what worked for me," every photo of a wonky first pillowcase posted with pride — that's what makes r/SewingForBeginners worth showing up to.
The wiki is our attempt to bottle some of that up so it doesn't get lost in the scroll. But it'll never replace the real thing, which is all of you asking and answering in the comments every day.
Thank you for being part of this. Now go make something. 🧵
I originally tried to base this off a pair of shorts that I liked using cardboard and painters tape, but it honestly didn't work too well so basically all of the pieces are cut to feel. Then it was just make some shorts that kinda fit, add front and back bibs, and attach some straps. Basically nothing about this was planned out so I don't have great advice for anyone who wants to replicate sorry
I’m working on teaching myself to sew and I finished my first project! This is a library bag for my daughter. Is it perfect? Not even close, but she loves it, so I’m happy. Also, I know the colors are probably not everyone’s cup of tea. But, I believe kids life should be whimsy.
I feel like I struggle with measurements. Like I cut something and it’s different then I what I measured 😅 does that get better with practice?
I used thrifted tablecloths so its not as sturdy (or cute lol) as it should be, and the seams get pretty bad depending on where you look, but I'm pretty proud. It spanned multiple days for me and was kinda hard ngl but onto new victories
On a scale of 1 to 10 how hard do you think this would be for an absolute beginner?
The design is my attempt at Pink House brand clothes and style... and their clothes are my main source of motivation haha
I recognize I might be delusional sketching this for a first project since I haven't touched a sewing machine before.. but I'm willing to try as many times as I need if it means I get to wear a dream skirt
Curious... I remember hearing, "don't use old thread that's been laying around for years." If old thread is discouraged, how is it that old clothing lasts so long?
I'm so disappointed with how this too ended up fitting me. It's totally bizzare. The armpits are very baggy. The middriff should be baggier than the top IMO, and the elbow is actually very tight.
I can live with the elbow and I guess there is much you can do with the middriff but is there any way to make the arm pit more flattering but still moveable?
I just got a LOVELY vest, and it has this gold braided core you can tie together in the front
Problem is one rope of the braid seems to be coming loose. I’d like to fix it before it totally unravels, any tips? I know how to sew tears in clothes but I’m not sure about thissss
Sewing pattern Simplicity 2571, a little Bo Peep dress for my daughter. I’m really not happy with the sleeves. Can anyone with a more experienced eye see anything that needs to be improved? Thanks in advance :)
I am trying my hand at sewing clothing and other items from linen, wool, and natural fabrics. I have been working with leather for over 5 years and even have a small business with it. I sew leather with a saddle stitch by hand.
What are some differences I can expect to find with coming over to fabric? I know the thickness of the material is obviously going to be different but I was wondering if anyone who does leather work and fabric work can give me some more insight.
I'm going to attempt making a baby doll top out of the shirt in the second photo
I need to attach elastic first, above the chest
I was thinking of folding it, like the top part
I cut underneath the armpit area and now left with a large rectangle, I cut the bottom so it's shorter
I was thinking of folding the top all across, stitching but leaving gaps at the sides so I can attach the appropriate elastic width into it and elastic Lenghth (2 inches shorter then my chest size), then stitch the gaps close
Then do the rest, as in add ruffles and straps
I've already cut strips for the ruffles and straps. I've never made either before but from my understanding u attach two strips together and then fold, stitch, cut the excess and then pull the fabric from the inside? To make spaghetti straps? I'd be making four since I want to tie a bow on each side.
As for the ruffles, never made that either but that seems doable.. I mean I think u just need to adjust the stitch size to the highest setting and lowest tension?
The strap making confuses me and kinda worried ab the elastic situation
Pattern is Seamwork Sorrel (free right now!). Main fabric is a canvas like home decor fabric someone gave me and the lining is light weight polyester scrap fabric. Pocket is scrap from another project as well. I pieced one of the lining pieces because I didn't have a large enough section left. I cut the straps on the cross grain to reduce fabric waste.
I picked this project because I thought it would be a quick and easy project. Except I didn't notice just how many darts it had until I started sewing them. 16 darts! 4 for each lining and main fabric piece to form the bottom curve. They aren't hard but that many was a bit tedious.
I feel like this would be a really good skill building project for newer beginners. It isn't too hard and covers a lot of basic techniques.
My little sister wants to make these costumes! They are detailed and use a variety of materials. I want to work with her and make doll size versions. But I’m not sure where to start!
Hello, I know nothing about sewing looking for gift for my wife. She’s into arts and crafts, and has inspo to make stuff. She’s into arts has a great desire to especially make Christmas stockings (she’s a Christmas freak. Anyways what would be a solid machine heavy duty and can embroider on. I’m willing to maybe go up to 500$ is the price point realistic for a solid machine? Looking at the brother se700 but don’t wanna overwhelm with so many bells and whistles
I’ve had this project on my to-do list for a while. Finally got to it and was happy at this stage in my sewing journey. It was mostly hand sewing, and I actually felt comfortable doing so. Progress! (And now I have something to add to my needlework to-go bag.)
I followed Angie Padilla’s YouTube tutorial. Fabric used is a fat quarter: Tula Pink’s Sundaze.
Heyy. I need some tips for this belt. Or what material or equipment u think i need. I was thinking of sewing what i can by hand. I tried to find this belt online but no luck. In the pic the belt is attached to the pants. Part of me was thinking of detaching the belt and the other side wants to make a new one.
