They are very high quality needles, i.e., without burrs which can cause the spearing of thread. 135 x 17 industrial needles. These needles have shanks that are completely round. 10 needles per pack.
Needle sizes are listed two ways, e.g., a #20 needle is also a 125 (European description) needle. A #10 is a small needle. A #22 is a large needle.
These needles fit the following sewing machines:
- Artisan 618-1SC
- Artisan SC LTHR
- Artisan 797AB-800/AB/ABN
- Artisan 797AB LTHR/ABNS LTHR
- Artisan 4420
- Artisan 4420-25
- Artisan 4400
- Artisan 4400-25/LTHR
- Consew 206RB
- Consew 225
- Consew 226
- Consew 146RB
- Consew 255RB
- Juki LU56Z
- Juki LU561
- Sailrite 111
- Sailrite Professional
- Sailrite Ultrafeed LS-1
- Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1
- Singer 111-W112
- Singer 111-W151
- Singer W153
- Tacsew 111
- Thompson Mini Walker
Not all Polyester Threads are Equal
Sailmaker's primarily use polyester fiber threads. They are extremely strong and durable in outdoor applications and are dimensionally quite stable, i.e., they will not shrink or stretch enough to create problems. But it is not enough to simply specify a polyester thread.
As is often the case with synthetic fibers, the manufacturing process permits a widely variable thread type. The fibers can be produced with a "spun" or fuzzy surface or with a very smooth surface. The spun fiber is used in the construction of thread for dressmaking because it sews better—the fuzzy surface tends to pull through tension devices in a more consistent way than a hard, smooth, and rather brittle polyester does. But this spun thread is not nearly as strong as the smooth type. As a result, its use is rightly limited to dresses, kites, and the like.
There are two main categories of "smooth" polyester fiber thread: soft finished and bonded finished. The bonded version is especially treated to protect it from heat buildup and to improve its sewability—a coating is added that makes the thread slide more easily over metal parts. This bonding makes stitch tension more controllable.
Cheaper polyester thread, even the bonded variety, does not have the same sewability as that which is more expensive especially in home sewing machines. We have tried many thread companies in the past 26 years. One brand stands out above the others—Heminway and Bartlett manufactured by the Barbour Co (Now Coats Thread). Their bonded Dabond (polyester) thread has set an industry standard because of its high strength and controlled stretch, its stability in sunlight (UVR) and its resistance to needle heat, abrasion, saltwater and mildew. It will very seldom fray at the needle eye, and its bonded finish is so consistent that machine tension does not have to be continually adjusted.
As a rule, you will use about 10 yards of thread for each yard of sailcloth in zigzag mode. This provides some extra for sewing errors. |
