Schmetz is a German-based company that specializes in manufacturing industrial sewing machine needles and household sewing machine needles. They offer a wide range of needles to fit different fabrics, machines, and sewing techniques.
- Founded in 1851 by the Schmetz family.
- Started with the production of hand-sewing needles.
- Expanded to manufacturing machine needles in the 20th century.
- Currently, Schmetz is the leading manufacturer of sewing machine needles worldwide, with factories in Germany and India.
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Suitable for a variety of fabrics and machines, these needles have a slightly rounded tip and come in different sizes.
Designed for heavy and densely woven fabrics like denim or canvas, these needles have a strong, sharp point that can penetrate thick layers.
Ideal for knit fabrics, these needles have a deeper scarf and a specialized eye and groove, allowing them to move with the fabric's stretch without snagging.
Designed for machine embroidery, these needles have a larger eye and an enlarged scarf to prevent fabric shredding and skipped stitches during embroidery.
Suitable for sewing leather or suede, these needles have a slightly chisel-shaped point that slices through the fabric rather than puncturing it, reducing damage to the material.
Schmetz offers a helpful color-coding system to identify the different needle types according to the fabric they work best with. You can also consult your sewing machine's manual or ask a sewing expert for advice.
Yes, Schmetz needles are designed to fit most domestic and industrial sewing machines. Just make sure to select the right type and size of needle for your machine and fabric.
It's recommended to change your needle after every 8-10 hours of sewing or after finishing a large project. Dull or bent needles can cause skipped stitches, fabric damage, and other issues.
Universal needles have a slightly rounded tip and can be used with a variety of fabrics, while specialized needles are designed for specific types of fabrics like denim, stretch knit, leather, etc. Specialized needles have a sharper or more chisel-shaped point to penetrate the fabric effectively without damaging it.
No, it's not recommended to reuse needles as they become dull, bent, or warped with use and can affect your sewing quality and safety. Always use a new needle for each project for optimal results.