Why sewing needles break

BySara

You know that scary moment when your sewing machine needle snaps and pieces fly everywhere?

Understanding why this happens can transform your sewing experience from frustrating to peaceful. Watch the video below for a complete explanation, or read on for the key insights.

Physics of breaking needles

When a needle breaks, it’s because greater force is being applied than the needle can withstand. This might sound obvious, but here’s something interesting – it’s actually good that needles break!

They’re designed to be the “weak point” in your sewing machine. If needles didn’t break when too much force was applied, something more expensive inside your machine might break instead.

Three main causes of broken needles

Understanding brings confidence, so let’s explore the three main reasons needles break:

1. Needle isn’t sharp enough

Different fabrics need different types of needle points. Tightly woven fabrics like denim require very sharp needles to penetrate easily, while looser weaves like gauze or knits don’t need as sharp a point.

Did you know? Needles wear out! Yes, they’re metal, but they still become dull with use. A new needle will push through fabric with much less force than a worn needle, reducing the chance of breakage.

Manufacturers recommend changing your needle after every 6-8 hours of sewing. That’s not just to sell more needles – a fresh needle helps prevent breakage and creates better results.

How often do you need to change your sewing machine needle for good sewing results

2. Needle isn’t strong enough

Needle thickness matters tremendously. Thicker needles (like denim needles) are designed to handle tough fabrics that require more force to penetrate. Thinner needles work beautifully for delicate fabrics like satin and create smaller holes.

Using the correct needle for your fabric ensures it doesn’t have to push harder than it can withstand. This understanding opens so many creative possibilities because you’ll know exactly which needle to choose for different projects.

How to pick a sewing machine needle

3. Needle hits something it shouldn’t

Most people immediately think about hitting pins – and yes, that can certainly break needles. If you use pins (I do!), sew SLOWLY over the pins, or take them out right before you reach them.

But needles can hit more than pins:

  • Weak or dull needles: Your needle is designed to go through a tiny hole in the needle plate and meet the bobbin hook at a very specific place. Needles can bend easily (try pushing one gently with your finger to see). If you’re sewing very thick fabric with a thin needle, it might bend while pushing through and hit the needle plate.
  • Pulling on fabric: When we pull fabric to “help” the machine as we sew, we can inadvertently pull the needle in different directions when it’s down in the fabric. This might cause it to hit the needle plate. Trust your machine to feed the fabric through without assistance.
  • Improper installation: If your needle isn’t installed all the way up, it won’t align properly with the mechanisms below. This is especially common with top-loading machines. Always make sure your needle is pushed all the way up when installing.

Creating with Confidence

Understanding why needles break transforms this frustrating experience into an opportunity for better sewing practices. Here’s what I’ve learned makes all the difference:

  • Use the right needle for your fabric
  • Change to a fresh needle regularly
  • Install the needle properly
  • Let your machine feed the fabric without pulling

Take your time with these details – they bring such peace to your sewing process. When you understand what’s happening inside your machine, you can create with more confidence and joy.

Happy sewing! 😉

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