My old sewing machine needle finally gave out on a big commission last month

I was binding a set of leather journals for a shop in Austin and the needle snapped halfway through. I grabbed a size 90 denim needle from my sewing box as a last ditch fix, and it went through three layers of bookcloth like butter. Has anyone else tried using heavier needles for thick materials?

3 comments

3 Comments

terry_ellis542d ago

Yeah that wedge point thing tyler_morgan mentioned is real. I read a blog where a bookbinder said a sharp needle actually works better for thick layers because it makes a cleaner hole. Your denim needle probably worked for that same reason.

dianawilson2d ago

Ever try a leather needle? They have a wedge point that cuts instead of pierces.

tyler_morgan2d ago

Honestly, I find regular needles work just fine on most leather. That wedge point can leave a bigger hole than you want sometimes.