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Which Needle Do I Use?

© Sharon Washam

With so many types of embroidery available to the needleworker, comes the different types of supplies that a needleworker would use. When I first started working with embroidery, any old needle I could get my hands on would work for my projects but as I developed my craft, I found certain needles actually worked better than others.

The first site touches on the needles used in the sewing environment. http://www.ianr.unl.edu/pubs/textiles/nf... It summarizes some of the needles that you use in embroidery but mainly talks about sewing needles in general.

The second site goes into what needle works with which fabric. The site gives very basic information without pictures. http://www.geocities.com/Paris/3939/ndlc...

The third site lists and gives a short description of use of most types of needles you will find in the sewing world. http://www.sew-whats-new.com/handneedles...

This next site gives the name and picture of each pack of needles that we will talk about later in the article. http://www.taggun.com/handneed.htm

Each of the following are needles you will find in the embroidery world. This guide is meant to give a basic understanding of needles. You will want to consult books that cover the needles in more detail.

• Millners - basting needles.

• Crewels - characterized by long eye, medium shank, and sharp point. Common use is embroidery, applique, beadwork, cutwork, eyelet, metal threads, shadow work and smocking.

• Chenilles - sharp pointed and heavy shank needle for embroidering with yarn.

• Tapestry - heavy shank, blunt points for use with needlepoint and tapestry work.

• Beading - thin, long needles used for beading work.