CHOOSING THE RIGHT NEEDLE FOR HAND SEWING: Tips to improve Hand sewing for beginners

This video will walk you through what all the terminology around needles means, as well as the steps for deciding which is the best needle to choose for your project. From Sharps, betweens, milliners and more.

0:00 Intro
1:16 Overview
1:47 Purpose of Needle
2:13 General hand sewing needles
3:57 Specialty: Glovers, Curved
5:02 Match needle thickness to fabric weave
5:26 Needle Length
7:18 Choose a Quality Brand(John James, Bonin, Colonial, Richard Hemming and Son)
9:11 How to tell if a needle is poor quality

Websites to purchase Needles

We sell a needle case with assorted John James Needles in our shop

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Music from Epidemic Sound
Oh What a Whirl, Jules Gaia

[ThimbleAndPlume]

Are you more of a sharps or betweens person? Short or long needle? For me, the shorter...the better!

[SigynsHope]

You are the ONLY one who explained how to choose your needle based on what you're doing, and WHY it will work better, rather than listing what each type of needle is called and typically used for. Thank you. I've watched all the other YouTube videos on the topic and yours is the best most useful one. :)

[sunshiny_botany]

Why do your videos not have more views?! This is good, helpful, entertaining information. Thank you. And looking forward to watching this channel blow up! Cheers. ☀️✨

[ruthm]

Very good tutorial. I have been exploring the world of sewing for almost 50 years. Started by making clothes for my dolls and bears when I was small and I still prefer hand sewing to machine sewing. All the sewing I have done in the past was based on very little knowledge of what I was using. Back then( almost 50 years) we just reached for the nearest things in the sewing box and used what we had on hand. But lately I am trying to pay attention to learning more about needles, threads, and matrials and taking more care in what I do. I began with making a sampler. I gathered many different types of threads, based on weight and fiber; then buying different types of needles, based on function and by maker. I arranged all my materials and started taking notes as I sewed. It taught me a lot about the materials used and how they affect a project, and I also discovered what I like and what I dont like. I also checked my old pincusion to see what needles I had been using and found I prefer sharps for hand sewing clothing and sashiko needles for hand quilting( big stitch) quilts. They don't teach much of this in sewing classes in school; in the Air force, where i learned industrial sewing; or on the job, in many different factories I worked for 30 years. It is good to keep learning.

[SystemofEleven]

I am overwhelmed by all the information in this, and I'm barely halfway through. I keep rewatching the "types of needle" section over and over and feel like I am still missing something. I had no idea there was so much complexity involved in this...

[MossyMozart]

1) There are also "doll maker needles" that are extra long in case you have to stitch through a very thick project, like making a heavy pillow - or a doll's body.

2) I saw a video sometime back (can't remember where, surely YouTube >_< ) that addressed the SHARPNESS of the sharp needles. The videographer had close-ups of common brands sold in fabric stores in the USA versus needles sold in Europe. The difference was astonishing! The USA needles were like blunt instruments, while the imported ones were polished with sharp tips even in close-ups. She compared different brands, but I don't remember which she found to be the best ones.

[sissaree]

Thank you so much for this video!! The information you gave was brilliant!! You were so helpful!🙌🏼

[TeamD]

I’m gonna hafta watch this multiple times to take down all the notes lol. AWESOME vid, thanks!

[tomgeary]

I just discovered your channel. I am a quilter and do hand piecing and quilting. I use a number 10 between and just discovered Bohin that I ordered online, and do I love them. Now I just have to tackle learning to use a thimble.

[missdee]

Thank you for this unique content video...i do hand embroidery and that needle range is gigantically confusing!!!

[LoveLynetteTan]

You make me wanna go start learning how to sew! Never knew there was so much to needles, thanks for sharing!

[billminckler]

Wow! What a clear approach and “engineering” mindset to understand “form follows function” (purpose). Masterfully communicated. Thank you! 👏👏👏

[JillianEve]

I'm currently more of a knitting needles person, but I'm learning and this gave me all the information I need! I'm looking forward to some new sewing projects this year. Thank you!!! 💜

[cherylstraub]

I wish to know how to fit a thimble to my finger. I know that thimbles come in different sizes but don't know how to measure my finger to match my finger to the thimble.

[melindasherbring]

I am reatly genjoying your videos (sitting down and watching all of them today). Good info! I notice here that you mention 3 kinds of needles with lots of great info about the first two kinds, but did not address needles for decorative sewing. I expected you to mention tapestry (oval eye, blunt point), chenille (oval eye, sharp point) and possibly Japanese handmade needles (excellent for metal passing thread because the eye is round) in the last category.

[carolynrockafellow]

Good information.. I only use Tulip needles for had sewing. Love them.i

[philiprayner]

what is the best needle to use for sewing multiple layers of material?

[ritasmith]

What does it mean when the needle pkg say it is size 5/10? (or other slash/ description?) I have been sewing for more than 50 years, and always just looked at them to see if they were what I wanted to use... generally thin and med. length. Now I go to buy them, buy them, and even a size 9 is like trying to sew with a NAIL. They are HUGE! THICK!. And that is Dritz. II know I have never had anything fancy in a needle, but please help me. Just doing regular things like a hem, basting, etc.

[fresszettel]

Do you maybe know some needles that would be at least somewhat historical accurate for the 15th century? Or what could be used at an medieval reenactment event?

[WaschyNumber]

What brand is a good one 🤔 I have problems my yarn getting cut and it's very frustrating specially if you are Habdycaped, I can do only stuff very short times becourse I'm getting strong pain because of my sickness.