Thinking about buying a second hand Singer sewing machine? If so, it’s important to know how to change the needle on your new purchase as soon as possible. The process is simple and can be achieved in under 10 minutes. Changing the needle on a Singer sewing machine is a fast and simple process but it is imperative that you check your user manual for specific details regarding your particular model. Do this first before attempting to change the needle on your new or second-hand machine. If you are using a newer model of the Singer sewing machine, we are sure you have everything that you need to start using it straight away. However, if you have purchased an older model, then there will be some parts missing which means you will need to source additional items like the bobbin case, auxiliary spool pin and most importantly the needle clamp screw. These small but important parts are an essential part of changing the needle on any type of Singer sewing machine and needs to be changed regularly for optimal performance.
How To Change The Needle On A Singer Sewing Machine
Check the needle is compatible with your machine
You might think that the first step in changing the needle on a singer sewing machine would be to open the manual and look up the correct needle for your machine, but actually you should do the exact opposite. You should check that you have the correct needle for your machine before you even start, as you don’t want to waste time installing the wrong one. If you have owned your machine for a while, you will have a rough idea of what type of needle you are currently using. If you have had your machine for a short time, you should check the manual or online to find out the exact type of needle required. You should also check the make and model of your machine, as different brands use different brands of needle. If you are not sure which model you have, check the nameplate on the front of your machine.
Disconnect the motor
Before you can change the needle on your machine, you will need to disconnect it from the power source. Most modern machines will have an automatic switch that turns the motor off when the hand wheel is released. If you don’t want to wait for the machine to shut down automatically, or you are working on an older model with a traditional plug-in switch, you can shut off the power manually. To do so, you will need to locate the plug socket on the back of your machine, and either turn off the power switch or pull out the plug from the socket. It is good practice to shut off the power whenever you are working on your machine, particularly if you are working with children or beginners who might not be as careful with your machine.
Loosen the needle clamp
Before you can get the needle off the machine, you will need to loosen the needle clamp that holds it in place. The way you do this will depend on your specific machine, but you should have a screw or clamp that you can loosen to release the needle. Clamps will usually be located on the right-hand side of your machine, although this will vary from model to model. On some machines, the clamp will be in plain view, but on others it may be hidden behind a panel that needs to be removed. If you are having trouble locating the clamp on your machine, it might be helpful to consult the manual.
Slide out the old needle
With the clamp loosened, you should now be able to slide the old needle out of its slot. The needle will probably be attached to the thread spool by a piece of thread, so make sure you don’t cut the thread while removing the needle. You might be able to pull out the needle with your fingers, but if it is stuck, you can also use a pair of tweezers to pull it out.
Install the new needle
Now that the old needle is out, you can install the new needle. The new needle should come with its own special screw, so make sure you install the screw correctly to avoid damaging your machine. Once the screw has been installed, you can slide the new needle into the slot.
Test your machine
Now that the needle has been changed, make sure to do a quick test to ensure everything is working correctly. It may sound silly, but it is better to find out there is an issue with your new needle now than after you have sewn several garments with it. Depending on the type of needle you have installed, you will want to test your machine for different things. If you have installed a metallic needle, for example, you may want to test it for vibrations, as it is prone to creating more noise than other types of needle. If you are not sure what you should be testing for, refer to the manual.
Why Is It Important To Change The Needle?
- Safety. The needle’s point is very sharp and can cut you if it gets caught on something in your work area. It is also important to change the needle often because it will dull over time, which can cause the thread to become knotted and lead to a poor stitch quality.
- Quality of sewing. The type of needle you use will greatly affect the quality of your finished stitching, so be sure you get the best for your machine. If you are using a regular straight needle, for example, it is possible that your machine may have trouble creating tight stitches or stitches that are too wide for the fabric being sewn (one way to test this is by holding up the fabric and looking closely at how closely it lines up with the edge of your presser foot). If you are using a decorative or fancy straight needle, however, there might be more issues with loose stitching or even skipped stitches; this is especially true if you haven’t changed out your needles in a while.
- Comfort and efficiency when sewing. When using any type of needle, there will always be some discomfort involved; however, if you are using a regular straight needle on an average-to-heavy weight fabric like denim or canvas, there could be more discomfort than with other needles because these types of fabrics don’t stretch much when being sewn (this means that they won’t move around much as you sew). A decorative or fancy straight needle, on the other hand, will have a better quality stitch (especially if you are using a thicker fabric) and will be more comfortable to sew with.
- Quality of your finished product. The type of needle you use will also affect how your finished product looks and feels. For example, if you are sewing stretch fabrics like denim or canvas, it is much easier for the fabric to move around as you sew with a regular straight needle because the fabric doesn’t stretch much when being sewn. A decorative or fancy straight needle, on the other hand, will have better stitch quality because it has a more defined point that can create tighter stitches and won’t bunch up as much as a regular straight needle when sewing heavier-weight fabrics like denim or canvas.
Conclusion
The needle is an important part of any sewing machine, and it is important to change the needle regularly. If you notice the needle is damaged, worn or bent, you should replace it with a new one as soon as possible. Always remember to change the needle on your sewing machine before you start a new project as a bent needle can puncture your fabric and make sewing difficult.
FAQ’s
Q: Can I use a blunt needle on my machine?
A: Yes, you can use a blunt or bent needle on your machine. However, if you need to sew thick fabrics like denim or canvas, it is much easier to sew with a regular straight needle because the fabric won’t stretch much when being sewn. A decorative or fancy straight needle, on the other hand, will have better stitch quality because it has a more defined point that can create tighter stitches and won’t bunch up as much as a regular straight needle when sewing heavier-weight fabrics like denim or canvas.
Q: What are the different types of needles?
A: There are many different types of needles available for sale. Some needles have a point on the needle, while others don’t. Some come with a guide pin, and some do not.
