Sewing Macine Needles

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lancelot

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Hi folks.
I am waiting for my secondhand sewingmachine to arrive. I was wondering what type and size needles will I need for sewing sails, canvas, webbing and other heavy materials?
The machine is an electric JonesZZ.
Can anyone suggest a good Noddy's guide book to sewing or website?
Fair winds,
Lancelot
 
Canvaswork and Sail Repair, Don Casey, Adlard Coles. Excellent instructions, multiple projects, very clear diagrams.


Start with Size 18 needles. Use ballpoint ones, never chisel.
 
Have a look at the 'How-to' section of the sailrite.com website - there are quite a few free videos etc.
A needle size of 110/18 seems to work well, though I also have some of 80/12 (often recommended for denim).
I buy all my materials from Kayospruce in Fareham, Hants http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/. Hawkehouse also get recommended by many posters here as well.
 
I'm not familiar with your machine but is it a Domestic or Industrial Machine? They use different needles - the Domestic needles have a flat on the shank and Industrial needles have a round shank. As said a 16, 18 or even a 20 needle.
Lots of info when you google on both domestic & industrial - don't forget to get proper Bonded Polyester thread from people such as Kayospruce or Pointnorth, both very helpful.
 
srp said:
Have a look at the 'How-to' section of the sailrite.com website - there are quite a few free videos etc.
A needle size of 110/18 seems to work well, though I also have some of 80/12 (often recommended for denim).
I buy all my materials from Kayospruce in Fareham, Hants http://www.sailcloth.co.uk/. Hawkehouse also get recommended by many posters here as well.
Click to expand...

The sailrite section on needles is the way to go. Find the one that fits your machine and the size thread your going to use, and using the part number buy local.
 
sarabande said:
Canvaswork and Sail Repair, Don Casey, Adlard Coles. Excellent instructions, multiple projects, very clear diagrams.


Start with Size 18 needles. Use ballpoint ones, never chisel.
Click to expand...

Chisel needles are good for leather and some things like PVC, where the needle needs to cut a hole for the thread.
Ball point is good for woven materials with little filler in, where the needle can push the fibres apart without cutting.
For in between materials, like most canvas or sail cloth, especially anything proofed, a pointy sharp needle works well. The biggest ones that will go in my machine are sold as 'denim' or jeans needles. I use these for most jobs fixing covers, making sailbags etc.
 
Needle size is dependant on thread size and material . eg if the materials being used are PU coated, waxed, leather or mutiple layers then may need to up needle size to as much as 130, on average a 110 is about right for covers, acrylic, top gun etc. Type depends on machine design but most readily available on line, ebay etc. Your machine is designed for Zig Zag stitching and should be okay with sailcloth and covers but may struggle a bit with multiple layers.
Kayospruce should be able to sort you out with supplies. The Hemmingway Thread they sell is expensive but is excellent quality, they do other less expensive threads also (Invincible). Buy some venture tape for sticking awkward seams etc and use in advance of sewing to make life so much easier and getting a better end product.
 
I was checking out your Jones and found some snaps here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60859505@N04/

It is very similar to my machine, badged as a Brother and the same vintage. Brother bought out Jones (Manchester based I think) in the '60s. Anyway that is by the bye, they are good, solid machines.

I found you may need to dabble with the thread tension and foot pressure, if you have lower thread problems. Post on here and let us kinow how you get on.
 
Last edited:
PetiteFleur said:
They use different needles - the Domestic needles have a flat on the shank and Industrial needles have a round shank.
Click to expand...

…………and what a pain to thread and orientate!

A needle has a groove and a scarf. The hook below the table catches the thread between the needle and the scarf. It is important to fit the needle with the hook aligned with the scarf not the groove. For identification, the "groove" looks like a groove; the scarf is a short cut out on the other side.

On my machine, the groove is on the left and the thread is threaded from left to right.

To maintain sanity, you need a needle threader.
 
+1 for venture tape, I used it for almost every seam on my new cover as it was so much easier to sew.
 
doug748 said:
I was checking out your Jones and found some snaps here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/60859505@N04/

It is very similar to my machine, badged as a Brother and the same vintage. Brother bought out Jones (Manchester based I think) in the '60s. Anyway that is by the bye, they are good, solid machines.

I found you may need to dabble with the thread tension and foot pressure, if you have lower thread problems. Post on here and let us kinow how you get on.
Click to expand...

Setting bobbin tension is probably the most critical point with sewing machines, especially if your doing zig zag. Have a search on Youtube for the best methods for your machine
 
The Jones came originally with a plastic case, which becomes brittle with sunlight and machine oil :(

A new case is £100 unless you are a good woodworker :eek:

Will cope with multiple thicknesses quite well, ex used to make covers for setees with one (four layers on the piping)
 
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