how often?

[Therese's Mommy]

How often do yo change your needle on your sewing machine? I once remember someone telling me that she changed hers after each project, but that seems a little much to me. I just replaced my needle and made a nightgown for a 2yo out of flannel. Is it time to replace it again?

[orangefoot]

I wouldn't just yet

Ordinarily I probably change a needle every other project or so which is a big change for me from changing it once a year!!!!

Fleece dulls needles really badly so I do change the needle more often if I am sewing that a lot.

My machine is a vintage singer which takes an odd sized needle. The only place I could find them sold them in boxes of 200 and it seems really easy to just get a new one out when you still have another 199.

[lifeguard]

Hmmm.... I've only ever changed it when it broke. Maybe I'll have to reassess that strategy.

[punkrockmomma]

I change mine before every project, but that's usually because the fabric I'm using calls for a different type of needle(i.e. ballpoint for knits, or a more heavy duty needle for denim, etc.). I will reuse needles for mending, from projects that didn't require much sewing. Another reason I like to use a new needle is that when I'm making something time consuming I want it to turn out to the best of my ability, and using a new needle, specific to that project, is just part of that.

[Smokering]

Hmmm.... I've only ever changed it when it broke. Maybe I'll have to reassess that strategy.

Mee too, but I break my needles on a frequent and regular basis, so I guess I'm good!

[Jackies Ladybug]

i replace my needles about every 10 hours of sewing. i reuse them when i make my once a year stationary. sewing cardstock is hilariously fun, but totally wasteful to use new needles on as i have to change them out every hour or so.

[mouso]

Originally Posted by lifeguard

Hmmm.... I've only ever changed it when it broke. Maybe I'll have to reassess that strategy.

And I sew a lot.

[IntuitiveJamie]

I finally learned this year (after about 4 years of sewing) that it does make a big difference to change the needles regularly. So I do now. I can't say exactly how often, but I can say it def. has to do with the difference in fabric I'm using and such. I also try to actually use the correct needle now too. I think it's made a big difference in my sewing.