What type of thread do I use?

Generally speaking, I tend to stick with all-purpose thread. Just as its name suggests, it's meant to be used for just about anything. Of course, if you're sewing something particular, like a new cushion for your couch, I would suggest a specialty thread like Upholstery weight thread. Other kinds of specialty threads include Button & Craft, Topstitching, and Quilting. Just know that you don't necessarily have to use thread marked for buttons to sew on a single button, but if that button is going to be handling a lot of wear and tear, it might be worth getting one marked for such use.

How do I choose a needle?

The two questions to ask yourself here are "What kind of fabric am I sewing?" and "What kind of thread am I using?" There's many kinds of needles. Yes there are all purpose needles, but if you're sewing fabric for something more than just repairing a hole or taking up a hem, it's probably best to get a needle that's more geared toward the fabric you're sewing. For example, ball point needles are used on jersey (stretchy) fabric. The reason for this is very practical: a sharp point will break the elastic threads in jersey, and this causes holes. Leather tends to be very dense and therefore you would want to use a leather needle and heavy thread. Denim needles work best on denim-weight woven material, and the eye is sized for heavier threads such as Upholstery and Topstitching thread. If you use a needle whose eye is too small for the thread, it will simply break the thread while you're sewing with it. This is a pretty frustrating situation to be in.

Needles come in a variety of sizes for different fabric weights. Generally, ball point needles are for stretchy fabrics, and sharps are for woven fabrics. But they also come in different thicknesses to handle different fabric and thread weight. Here's a quick reference to help you decide what size needle you might need to use on your project:

A Note About Safety

Please be aware, this is coming from someone who has broken more needles than she can count. They don't have to be broken - yet - to be dangerous. If you have any needles that are even slightly bent, wrap them in masking tape (as a safety measure) and throw them away. Even a slightly bent needle can break easily and in some cases, come flying at your face. Also keep your fingers away from the needle while you are sewing. If you want to hear some horror stories, feel free to check out The Dangers of Sewing. Sewing machines are designed to operate as safely as possible while still allowing you to see what you're doing, but this means there's a lot of room for accidents to happen. So please learn from others' experience and avoid those pitfalls yourself!

About the Author: Janet has been sharing her knowledge of sewing, knitting and crafting for years. To read more about these subjects, visit her at CyberSeams.com!