A Guide to Hand Sewing Needles - Which Needles To Choose? - Hand Sewing Needles Explained

This guide to hand sewing needles aims to explain the different types of needles, their properties, what types of sewing they are suitable for, and how numbers refer to their sizes. I talk about needles suitable for embroidery, English paper piecing, applique, quilting and general hand sewing.
I hope this guide is useful for anyone who is trying to choose the correct needle for hand sewing.

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Music is English Country Garden by Aaron Kenny on Youtube Audio Library

[ninjablueflame]

Well done! I recently discovered your lovely and inspiring tutorials and could listen to your kind, patient voice for hours. For the first time in my 65 years, I made a paper piecing project. It was your hexagon needle book and I thank you for that. I will give it to my mother who turns 85 tomorrow.

[charbynovak]

💐 Your calm spirit is very soothing! I also love hand sewing and this is very informative. 😊❤️👍

[catrionawoodrow]

Thank you - this was very informative: I learned a lot! So pleased that you are doing the same with threads - you are a lovely teacher!

[nathaliebourre]

Good evening Emma! What a fabulous episode! I learnt so much, you are so clear and to the point (ahahah!) in your explanations and your voice is truly soothing! I also very much appreciated that there was no judgement and that you were careful in saying that all this, was what works for you. No “ put down” in disguise ... I shall start catching up on your other offerings since I discovered you only recently and already look forward to your next one! With warmest thanks from North Yorkshire 🍄🍂🍁

[loraineleuschke]

Helps me and I am looking forward to learning about hand sewing threads.

[jillcooper]

Once again Emma a lovely and very well done video. It is so much fun to watch you sew and even though I have been hand sewing for 60 yrs now you are still teaching this old dog new tricks. LOL One thing I just recently discovered is I went to a vintage sewing shop near me and they had a couple of packages of needles from the 1940's and 50's. No one was buying them and I decided to try them. Oh my they are so wonderful to sew with they are much smoother than any other needles I have used, I don't think they will bend - they are beautiful and they just cost me $.25 not sure what he conversion is on that but it is just a few pennies. My 92 mom then cut open her 60 yr old pin cushion and there were about 125 needles buried in it. Boy did I hit the jack pot with those too.Thank you again for taking the time to do these videos

[sharonnewton]

Hi Emma I've just come across your site. What a gem!!! I love your outlook on sewing & being comfortable to do things your own way! Most of us seek perfection but stress when that doesn't happen. So I'm going to put that into practise & just enjoy the whole process that you speak about.

[PoppyPatchwork]

Thank you, very informative and I love your relaxed manner, Jayne from Poppy Patchwork

[kellybeckner]

Excellent as always my dear friend. I couldn't help but notice what you have hanging in the background. looks lovely as always!! Hope you are well and staying safe. Things are so out of hand over here across the pond... due to the election and covid. I'm just staying home and sewing. Take care babe.

[beverleyhasler]

Thanks Emma. Great lot of helpful information re needles. 🥰

[barbarawaskom]

This was very useful information to me, Thank you .. 😊

[WhereWhoMe]

What a wonderful explanation! I'll admit that I got a little lost with all the different types of needles, so I ended up getting a starter kit that comes with everything to try out first.

[yunyunus]

I love milliner needles and i used them for almost everything handsewing.

[kathyscozzari]

I found this so helpful and enjoyed your sweet, soothing voice. A lovely way to begin my morning!

[michelesmith]

Thank you Emma, I found this most informative, off shopping for needles now :)

[merindymorgenson]

This is very helpful! I’ve been ordering new needles and had no clue between the different styles of needles. I understand the difference between sizes, but the different types of needles was confusing me. We have the John James brand here in town, but no clover or tulip or Bohin or other brands I prefer.

[bettyvaughn]

Thanks again for a great video! You are such a joy to watch and great information, I totally agree with Jill Cooper I have been sewing, quilting and embroidery for many years now but you bring fresh new ideas to us old dogs. I tried the hexi forms that you mentioned in a previous video and they are great!

[kellyhipkins]

Thanks for sharing that information Emma

[kathyknit]

Thank you Emma, your video was sharp and clear at the close ups. I enjoyed all the information you shared. I just found this video and now I want to try to do english paper piecing. :)

[laura]

Emma - thank you so much for going over the various types of needles. I plan to watch your video on different kinds of threads too. I am in the US so I hope I can find some high-quality needles here.