We sell popular needles for embroidery, home sewing, quilting, industrial sewing, leather work, lock stitch, and bag closing. The Needles Buying Guide explains needle systems, needle sizes, and gives size guidance for industrial and embroidery needles.
The Easy Way -
Buying the right needle may be easier than you think. If you are happy with your current needle and are not doing something new, find the system needle box or the the needle shank. Then, enter the needle system in our SEARCH box. If we have the needle, or its equivalent, we will take you to it.
Needle Systems -
"Needle system" is another way of saying "needle type". Every needle has a needle system code stamped on its shank and printed on its box cover. We often say "needle xxxx" as shorthand for "needle system xxxx". Manufacturers use different system codes to identify the same needle. For example, Organ's HAx1 needle is the same as other manufacturers 15x1 and 130/705H needles. It is also common for a competitor's needle system to be compatible with two or more Organ needles; and for two or more Organ needles to be compatible with each other.
The link between needle systems and specific sewing machines is complicated. Your manual recommends needle systems and sizes for machine. But, these might not be the only choices and there may be compatible needles that are not mentioned. Dealers, customer support lines, and chat rooms can also be very helpful. When a needle system is designed for a specific machine, we share this information.
Needle Size
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Size refers to a needle's thickness. It is stamped on the shank and printed on the box. Our product listings show each needle's metric and U.S. (a.k.a. Singer or Organ) sizes. For example "Size 110/18" means that its metric size is 110 and its U.S. size is 18. Actually, there are at least fourteen needle size conventions. Here is a conversion table for popular metric and U.S. sizes:
Metric
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
Metric
U.S.
60
8
80
12
120
19
65
9
90
14
125
20
70
10
100
15
130
21
75
11
110
18
Needle size selection is a balancing act as summarized below. A larger needle makes a larger hole and this weakens the material. But, a larger needle has more strength that lets it go through through thicker, denser material, and it is able to sew stronger seams by using thicker, stronger thread. Ultimately, it comes down to matching needle size with material density and thickness, seam strength, machine capability, and the look of the finished product.
Smaller Needle
Larger Needle
Hole
Makes a smaller hole
Makes a larger hole
Material
Less damage / less weakening
More damage / more weakening
Needle
More likely to break
Less likely to break
Thread
Uses thinner / weaker thread
Uses thicker / stronger thread
Seams
Weaker seams
Stronger seams
Machine
Less powerful
More powerful
Both needle size and thread size depend on the material, the "look" sought, and the sewing machine's capabilities. Needle size generally increases as thread sizes increases. But, there are exceptions, such as large eyed needles, where this is not so.
Thread and Needle Selections
Nylon Thread
Nylon Thread
Strong and easy to use. Great for sewing fabric, leather, canvas, and vinyl. 10 sizes. Some sizes have over 100 colors. Most home sewing machines can use up to size 69.
Nylon Thread
Polyester Thread
Polyester Thread
Looks and feels like nylon thread, but with a greater UV resistance. This makes polyester great for outdoor use. Most home sewing machines can use up to size 69.
Polyester Thread
Lower everyday price.
Robison-Anton
Our flagship embroidery thread brand. The full line of Robison-Anton polyester, rayon, J Metallic, Moonglow, variegated and Twister Tweed embroidery thread, and color cards.
Robison-Anton
2,000 different needles
Machine Needles
We make it easier to buy the right needle with our Needle Buying Guide, Needle to Thread Size Guide, Machine to Needle Reference, and Groz-Beckert publications.
Machine Needles
Kevlar (tm) Thread
Kevlar (tm) Thread
Strong and Heat Resistant. Kevlar thread is about 2.5 times stronger than nylon or polyester. It comes in a pale yellow color. It has almost no stretch, it doesn't melt, and ashes at 800F.
Kevlar Thread
Bobbins - Prewound
Prewound Bobbins
Nylon and Polyester bobbins in styles A, G, L, M, U, and other styles. Embroidery bobbins, Half price specials, and new budget-friendly 12-packs.
Bobbins
Hand Sewing Needles
Hand Sewing Needles
C.S. Osborne needles for hand sewing upholstery, leather, canvas, carpet, fabric, and darning.C.S. Osborne needles for hand sewing upholstery, leather, canvas, carpet, fabric, and darning.
Hand Needles
All Specials
All Specials
Over 1,200 thread and sewing needle specials all in one place. Many products are about 50% off their original price.
All Specials
Cotton Thread
Mettler Cotton Thread
The full line of Mettler in 28, 40, 50 and 60-Wt, Aurifil closeouts, Valdani closeouts and more. The lower the thread-weight number, the thicker the thread.
Cotton Thread
Thread - Stabilizers - Bobbins
All Embroidery
King spool closeouts as low as $3 per spool, metallic specials, stabilizers, bobbins, and much more.
All Embroidery
Sewing and Serger Thread
Sewing Thread
Regular stock includes Maxi-Lock and Maxi-Lock Stretch. Also featuring spun polyester closeouts, polyester-core closeouts, and more.
Sewing Thread
Monofilament Thread
Monofilament Thread
Clear nylon "invisible" monofilament thread. Transparent so stitches are as invisible as possible for inconspicuous stitch appearance.
Monofilament
Sewing and Serger Thread
Sewing Thread
Maxi-Lock, Maxi-Lock Stretch, spun polyester closeouts, polyester-core closeouts, and more.
Sewing Thread
Waxed Thread
Waxed Thread
Maine Thread in 6 sizes, close out coils, beeswax, tapered waxed cord, waxed linen blend and more.
Waxed Thread
Imitation Sinew
Imitation Sinew
Imitation sinew made from polypropylene or nylon. Waxed and flat. Easy to split to make thinner.
Imitation Sinew
Hand Stitching Thread
Hand Stitching Thread
Use of tubes of nylon, polyester, and Kevlar thread for hand sewing and with speedy stitcher awls.
Hand Stitch Thread
Sewing Accessories
Sewing Accessories
Thread cone holders, thread sock. elastic, scissors and shears, tape measures, and tool kits and cutters.
Sewing Accessories
Polyester-Linen Blend
Polyester-Linen
Polyester-Linen thread has brilliant colors and a silky, smooth texture. Ideal for fine leather and upholstery.
Polyester-Linen Thread
1 mm Hemp Twine
Hemp Twine
Hemp is the strongest of all natural fibers. It is also also ultra-violet and salt water resistant.
Hemp Twine
Highest Operating Temp.
PTFE Fiberglass
PTFE coated fiberglass thread - operating temperatures to around 1022 F (550 C) after the PTFE coating burns off.
PTFE Thread
For sewing bags shut
Bag Closing Thread
FDA Compliant to 21-CFR-177.1630(f), 21-CFR-177.2800 and 21-CFR-178.3570.
Bag Closing Thread
For tight knots and cordage.
Bank Line
Bank line is a black polypropylene twine that is like tennis netting. It is strong and UV resistant.
Bank Line
Great for levitation tricks
Magicians Thread
When you separate the yarn filaments you get a strong thread that is invisible to your audience.
Magicians Thread
About our products
Buying Guides
Use our buying guides to learn more about the thread on our site and get the right thread and needles.
Product Information
