Schmetz Universal Twin Needle
Schmetz Universal Twin Needle
Universal Twin Needles - for domestic machines
Double or twin needles are actually two needles mounted on one shaft used to create two rows of stitches simultaneously. These needles are mostly used to hem garments in lieu of using a cover hem machine, but they can also be used for decorative sewing, such as zig zag and using two different colours - its worth a try, its easy as and so effective! In using twin needles, you will need to use two spools of thread and one bobbin thread. See below for tips and tricks on using the twin needles.
Please note that some older Singer sewing machines take specialty needles. Please contact us to get guidance in these areas on 08 82727244 or info@allmakesewing.com.au
A few tips, tricks and notes….
Which one? How wide are they?
The width between the two needles is how far apart the stitches will be stitched, e.g. 1.6mm apart for the 1.6/80 size needle or 2mm apart for the 2.0/80 needle etc
Mostly it comes down to what you would like the finished product to look like as to which one you choose.
Threading up the two top threads
You do not need a ‘special’ machine to use twin needles, 99% of machines, new and vintage can stitch with a twin needle.
If you still have the instruction book, it should show you a diagram specific to your machine as to how to thread the machine up in preparation for twin needle. As a guide, ensure that when you thread the top threads, that one thread passes of the left side of the tension disk, and then eventually into the left needle, and the second thread passes on the right side of the tension disk and then eventually into the right needle. Other than these two areas, these threads can go through all the other guides together if there is no ‘left’ or ‘right’, and it won’t matter if they twist around each other at some points; the threads sort themselves out once they get to the needles. However, it is wise to not stitch as fast as normal as there is more going on!
Not too wide!
Ensure when purchasing the ‘wide’ twin needle that your stitch area where the needle passes through the foot and needle plate is 7mm or more, otherwise you might be snapping your new twin needle! Many sewing machines, especially those machines made pre year 2010 have a sewing area of 5.5mm (PFAFF is an exception to this rule as they made machines with 9mm prior to 2010). Most machines are either 5.5mm, 7mm or 9mm, use a tape measure to be sure!
If doing a decorative stitch such as zig zag, ensure that the twin needles you have will not hit the side of the foot/needle plate stitch area. E.g if you purchase a twin needle that is 2mm, and the stitch area where the needle passes through the foot/needle plate is 5.5mm, then you only have 3.5mm to play with in increasing the stitch width. If your machine has a 7mm stitch area, then you have 5mm to play with :)
A bit about needle life…
On average we recommend the sewing life of a needle is 6-8 hours. The tip can snap clean if it has hit the machine hardware, different fabrics can cause the tip to wear/blunten, the shaft will weaken over time as it penetrates fabrics and the hole can even wear a groove over time as threads rub in the same spot. Please be aware that depending on fabric type, thickness and thread used, this life time will vary.
A bit about Schmetz…
Since 1851 SCHMETZ has been the leading manufacturer of quality sewing machine needles in the world. A SCHMETZ sewing machine needle passes through up to 35 stages of production and after each production stage there is a semi- or fully automated check. There are plenty of other cheaper brands who haven’t got this strict production process in place, and we see time and again first hand that the dodgy needle can cause havoc with your sewing experience (the hook not picking up the thread to form a stitch, thread shredding and thread breakages to name a few).
Please see below for more information on which needle to use for which fabric, and a useful ‘colour chart’ for knowing which needle you have in your machine currently ( without the use of a magnifying glass!).
https://www.schmetzneedles.com/schmetz-household-needle-chart/
https://www.schmetzneedles.com/learning/pdf/schmetz-needle-chart.pdf
Schmetz also have this handy app so you can get help 24/7 as to which needle would be best the fabric you are sewing on - for all your midnight sewers out there!