How to change a sewing machine needle

When to change the needle

A common rule is to fit a new needle at the start of each new project, or after roughly eight hours of sewing. Change it sooner if you hit a pin, if it strikes the needle plate, or if you hear a popping or thumping sound as it goes through the fabric. A needle that has become blunt can pull threads in a knit and leave small holes.

Other signs include skipped stitches, shredding upper thread, visible snags on the fabric and a ragged stitch line. Our guide to skipped stitches and thread breaking both start with a needle change for this reason.

What you need

You need the new needle, the small screwdriver that came with the machine (or a small flat or Phillips one, depending on the clamp) and a good light. Many machines have a thumbscrew clamp that tightens by hand, which is slower to loosen but needs no tool.

Before you open the packet, check the system on the old needle's shank or in your manual. Most home machines use the 130/705 H flat-backed system, but some industrial or specialist models use a different one. The universal needles article explains the systems.

• A new needle of the right system, size and type
• The screwdriver for the clamp, if there is one
• A small tray or magnet for the old needle
• A scrap of fabric for a test

Step by step: remove and fit the needle

Follow the steps below on a switched-off machine. If your machine has a needle-down or lock button, make sure it is switched off first, so the needle does not move while your fingers are near.

1. 1

   Turn the machine off and unplug it if you can, so the pedal cannot start it.

2. 2

   Turn the handwheel towards you until the needle is at its highest point.

3. 3

   Lower the presser foot, or remove it for more room. Some people place a folded cloth over the needle plate to catch a dropped screw or needle.

4. 4

   Hold the old needle with one hand and loosen the clamp screw with the other, turning it anticlockwise. Do not remove the screw completely.

5. 5

   Slide the old needle straight down and out.

6. 6

   Hold the new needle with the flat side facing the back of the machine on most home models. Push it up into the clamp as far as it will go, until it stops.

7. 7

   Tighten the screw firmly while keeping the needle pushed up.

8. 8

   Turn the handwheel by hand for a full cycle to check that the needle clears the plate and the foot.

Note:Always check your manual for the direction of the flat side. A few models, including some front-loading or older machines, fit the needle the other way round.

Which way round does the needle go?

A standard home machine needle has a flat side on the upper shank and a rounded side. The flat side usually faces the back, so the long groove on the front lets the thread run down toward the eye. If the needle is the wrong way round, the machine may skip stitches, or the hook will miss the thread loop completely.

If you are not sure, look at the way the old needle came out and copy it. Take a photo before removal if you have any doubt.

Choose the right needle for the fabric

The type depends on the structure of the fabric, and the size depends on its weight. Use a universal needle for general woven fabric, a ballpoint or stretch needle for knits, a jeans or denim needle for thick tightly woven cloth, and a leather needle for leather and similar materials. Embroidery needles have a larger eye for fine decorative thread.

As a guide to size, 70/10 suits light fabrics such as chiffon, 80/12 is the all-round choice for cotton, 90/14 suits medium-heavy fabrics and 100/16 or above suits denim and canvas. Heavy fabrics need a thicker needle, but a needle that is too large leaves visible holes in fine cloth. See the needle size chart for more detail.

See sewing machines for denim and heavy fabric →

Check the new needle before you sew

Run a few stitches on a scrap of the project fabric. Listen for any knocking or scraping, and look at the stitch line. If the stitches skip, check that the needle is fully pushed up and the flat side is where it should be. If the needle hits the plate, stop at once and re-seat it, since a needle striking metal can bend or break.

Bend and burrs are hard to see, so one quick test is to run the needle's tip over a fingernail. If it catches, discard it. Used needles can go in a closed container such as an old tin until they can be disposed of safely.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I change my sewing machine needle? Every project or about eight hours of use is a good habit. Change it straight away after hitting a pin or hearing a thumping sound.

Can I use any needle in my machine? Not always. Home machines usually take the flat-backed 130/705 H type, but the size and point must also suit the fabric. Check your manual for the system.

Why does my machine skip stitches after a needle change? The most common reasons are a needle that is not pushed fully up, one fitted the wrong way round, or a size and type that do not suit the fabric or thread. Re-seat it and try again.

Is it a problem if the needle is a little loose? Yes. A loose needle can fall out, hit the plate or damage the hook. Tighten the clamp firmly every time.