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You are at:Home - Basics of Sewing - How to Sharpen a Sewing Needle? Here Everything You Need To Know
Basics of Sewing

How to Sharpen a Sewing Needle? Here Everything You Need To Know

Anna SmithBy Anna SmithSeptember 25, 202314 Mins Read
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Source: Depositphotos
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Is your sewing machine not working or is making a lot of noises? Well, it can be because of your sewing needle that has gotten dull over time.

It’s a tiny yet essential tool any other tool gets dull with frequent use.  Which leads to bad sewing experiences. But, you don’t need to replace your needle to tackle this issue.

There is better solution; Just sharpen your needle.

What, not convinced? Here why it makes such a difference.

Depositphotos 152128286 S
Source: Depositphotos

1. The Importance of a Sharp Needle

1.1 Precise Stitching

First and foremost comes the precise stitching ease. A proper sharp needle allows you to create clean and precise stitches.

Needless to say, It s one of the most important element to  enhances the quality of your sewing projects, particularly if you are somebody who creatively add finishing touches to an piece for giving it a better vibe. 

1.2 Avoid Damage

Damage that you get form a bad needles  might feel like a big deal when you are starting out, but after a while, once you get used to the idea of bad needle damaging can ruin your finishing touches, Trust it becomes something you can’t ignore at all.

Not only it a new needle will ensure that you project won’t get bad finishing as a new needle ensures, it becomes less likely to skip stitches  and  prevent the unsightly gaps in your seams too.

2. What You Need To Begin

Before starting, first you need to gather some tools and materials:

2.1 Emery Board

You need an emery board, it is a thin, abrasive tool used for filing and smoothing nails. You can buy this tool from any drugstores or beauty supply stores.

2.2 Sewing Needle:

The needle you want to sharpen. Also, remember you need to be patient throughout the whole process. 

3. How to Sharpen Your Process

Now, let’s get back to the main issue; how to sharpen your sewing. Here is how you can do it:

Depositphotos 135570258 S
Source: Depositphotos

3.1 Prepare

First of all, you need to purchase an emery board. If you don’t have one, buy from a local drugstore or cosmetic store. Then, clean it properly and hold this board in your one hand. 

3.3 Needle Position

In this step, you need to position your emery board at a 45-degree angle to the needle’s shaft. This angel will allow you to maintain proper control while the whole sharpening process.

3.4 Move Up and Down

After that, you have to gently move the emery board up and down the needle for about 30 seconds. Use light pressure only to avoid damaging the needle.

3.5 Rotate Board

After sharpening one side, repeat the process to the opposite side. 

3.6 Hold at 90 degree Angle

You need to hold your emery board at a 90-degree angle.it will help you sharp the needle properly. After that, again hold your board for 30 seconds gently. Don’t use too much pressure. 

Depositphotos 256220884 S
Source: Depositphotos

4. Common Questions

Now that you’re armed with the knowledge of how to sharpen a sewing needle let’s address some most frequent questions related to needle sharpness:

4.1 How Do I Know When My Needle Needs Sharpening?

You need to check your sewing needle, if you feel roughness then it needs to be sharpened. Roughness is actually a sign that your needle has lost its sharpness.

Also, listen to the sound your machine is making; a dull needle produces popping or plopping sounds as unusual sounds while sewing; a dull needle as it struggles to penetrate the fabric of your outfit.

4.2 Can I Use a Nail File to Sharpen Needles?

You can use it, but it will be better for you to use an emery board.

Emery boards are specifically designed for sharpening needles, it also helps you full control. 

Depositphotos 180887012 S

Source: Depositphotos

Conclusion

To sum up, many people believe that sharpening a machine needle is a hard task. However you just need to follow the steps mentioned above to clean it properly.

By maintaining the sharpness of your needles, you can achieve neater stitches. It will also protect your fabrics from being damaged. Remember to stay patient throughout the whole process.

In summary, sharpen sewing needles, even if they’re dull needles or blunt needle, isn’t as challenging as some might think.

Following the steps using material like steel wool for gentle sharpening and keep your hand sewing needles in excellent condition by storing them in a tomato pin cushion when not in use, will help you get exactly what you want.

 

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1 Comment

  1. Yash on November 17, 2023 3:02 pm

    I found this article on sharpening sewing needles quite insightful. It provided practical solutions for common sewing machine issues related to dull needles. The idea of sharpening instead of replacing is a game-changer, and the explanation of why it makes a significant difference was convincing and helpful. As someone relatively new to sewing, this information was invaluable.

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