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The Basics Of 75/11 Needles And When To Use Them

Using the right needle is essential to any embroidery project. Not only does a needle determine the quality of your stitches, but it also affects the type of fabric you can use for an embroidery project. So, when should you reach for a 75/11 needle? Let’s explore!

What Is a 75/11 Needle?

A 75/11 needle is designed for use on high speed commercial embroidery machines. It is an ideal all-purpose needle size that can be used with standard threads like polyester and rayon, as well as heavier threads like metallic. Of the many different sizes of embroidery needles, the 75/11 is one of the most common and frequently used.

what is a 75/11 needle

What Does 75/11 Mean On Needles?

Needle sizes are often labeled as two numbers separated by a slash. The first number equals the diameter of the needle’s blade. 75/11 simply means the blade’s diameter is 0.75mm. 75 and 11 are the same, just different standards (EU standards and U.S standards)

The first number will increase by increments of five and the second number will increase by increments of one. Whether you are looking at the European number or the American number, the lower the number is the smaller the needle and the higher the number is the larger the needle.

Generally speaking, the needle point determines the fabric type and the needle size determines the type of embroidery thread

Types of Needles & Markings on Needle Packs

BP/FFG/SES = Ballpoint needles have a rounded point to prevent cutting into the fabric when embroidering. They are used for knitted fabrics such as t-shirts, lingerie, fleece, sweatshirt material and finely knit sweaters. The are also used for lightweight woven fabrics like dress shirts

SP / RG = Sharp Point needles have a sharp point to allow the needle to cut through tightly woven fabrics when embroidering. They are used for standard or tightly woven fabrics, twill, denim, canvas, caps and heavy weight broadcloth.

FG/SUK = Ballpoint needle is used for heavier or thicker threads.

Large Eye needles will accommodate a wide range of thread sizes without increasing the thickness of the needle. Your embroidery machine can run faster with fewer thread breaks and easier needle threading.

Round Shank needles have a round shank and are commonly used on commercial embroidery machines.

Flat Sided Needles are flat on one side of the shank and are commonly used on home/non-commercial embroidery machines.

When Should You Use a 75/11 Needle?

Generally, embroiderers should choose which needles to use for any given embroidery job based on the following factors:

1. The weight (thickness) of thread running through the needle (this determines the needle size)

2. The construction of the fabric being stitched (this determines the point type).

The 75/11 needle is the multitasker of the embroidery world. It's perfect for Classic Rayon and Polyneon 100% Polyester, as well as other thin threads like #60 or even Metallic varieties. An experienced embroiderer can even use it with thicker embroidery thread fibers if needed.

Additionally, this size needle works best with standard embroidery patterns that have not been overly digitized—or ones with too many details packed into them—as the finer points of the design may not come out correctly due to the smaller size of the needle's size.

A #75/11 ball point can is even more versatile as it will be great for more embroidery specific things like polo shirts, performance wear fabrics, and lightly woven fabrics. However, if you are using thicker threads then you may want to consider using a bigger sized needle such as an 80/12 or 90/14.

The 75/11 needle can also be used for patchwork quilting projects because it helps form strong stitches while seamlessly piercing through several layers of fabric.

The 75/11 also helps prevent puckering since it takes fewer stitches to complete each seam by contrast to other sizes of needles.

When Should You Replace A Needle?

A needle is the most active and used part of an embroidery machine, therefore it requires replacement more often than you would expect.

How often you replace a needle is also dependent on the frequency of use, material used, and the quality of the needle. On average, the lifespan of a machine embroidery needle is about 8 hours of running time.

You should get in the habit of changing your needles more frequently. This is especially the case since an overused needle can damage fabric, create uneven stitches, cause looping, and make your operations more difficult than it needs to be.

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An overused, damaged, or incorrectly sized needle may cause fraying but an improperly inserted needle may cause thread breaks or fraying.

Conclusion

Of all the embroidery needles, a 75/11 is one of the most versatile. It works great on medium-weight fabrics like cotton and linen—and even lighter-weight fabrics if used with regular thread—for both standard embroidery projects and patchwork quilting projects alike! It's ideal for knit fabrics such as T-shirts, sweaters, polo shirts, and sweatshirts. Just remember, not all thread is created equal and you should strive to make sure you are using high-quality thread. Whether you are new to embroidery or have a top-of-the-line embroidery machine, having this versatile tool in your sewing kit will help you create beautiful pieces without difficulty.

Plus, once you understand how to use them properly, they'll become one of your favorite tools when tackling any project!

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