The main equipment for hand sewing is the sewing needle. Using the correct hand sewing needle is essential for the success of your sewing project. Choosing the size of the needle depends on the fabric. For fine fabrics such as chiffon or organdy, you can choose needles between size 9 and 11. For medium fabrics such as cotton or linen, you can choose needles between size 7 and 9. For heavy fabrics such as denim or wool, you can choose needles between size 7 and 8.

Another more practical manner is to test the needles on a piece of scrap material from the fabric that you are using. Choose the needle size that makes the smallest hole in the scrap. Here are some more important things to know about a few types of sewing needles:

Sharps. Sharps are average length needles. The needles come with round eyes. They have sharp points and of medium length. They are the most frequently used hand sewing needles. These needles are great for general sewing.

Betweens. Betweens are short needles that are also called egg-eyed betweens because the needles come with egg-shaped eyes. They have pointed ends and are of shorter lengths. These needles are typically used for careful and detailed handiwork, such as fine stitching or quilting. They are also slightly thinner then sharps.

Crewel. Crewel needles are similar in lengths and thickness to sharps and are also called embroidery needles. They have larger eyes to thread in multiple thicker embroidering threads and yarns. These needles have sharp points and are wonderful for embroidering and cross-stitching projects.

Milliners. Milliners are long needles with round eyes that are also called straws. They are usually used for basting and millinery. Their length is the longest out of the hand sewing needles.

More resources:
Some hand sewing tips…
How to create a triple stitch
More craft techniques articles from Diana
 

Photo Credit: Anderson Mancini

About the author: Diana is the owner and pattern designer of djstoreroom. She is a work-from-home-mommy who design, sew, pen and self-publish her own pdf sewing patterns and tutorials from her home studio in sunny Singapore. She has 2 online stores at etsy which stocks only pdf products and artfire which stocks pdf products, handmade products and vintage supplies. She love to write in her blog about herself, her business and more...

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