How To Fix A Broken Needle

4 things that make your sewing machine needle breaks (and you may have overlooked them)

14 Nov, 2019

Illustration of sewing machine needle breaks when sewing | Sewing tutorial © Singer® Hong Kong

While you need to use a new needle when it breaks, you may need to consider the reason behind in order to fix the problem, since sometimes it is about the way the needle or machine component is inserted instead of the needle itself. If there is any sign of damage of the needle, no matter how small the issue is, you should change the needle to avoid interruption of sewing.

The needle is damaged

If the needle is damaged, e.g. having breaks, and is still used for sewing, it wears off rapidly as strain builds up in it when sewing and eventually breaks. You can check the needle for any signs of damage before sewing, and replace it with a new one to avoid interruption due to breakage.

If the needle is blunt, bent or shows any other sign of damage, replace it with a new one to avoid broken needle | Sewing tutorial © Singer® Hong Kong

If the needle is blunt, bent or shows any other sign of damage, replace it with a new one.

The needle is not correctly inserted

If the needle is not correctly inserted, i.e. its flat side not facing backwards or having space left in the shaft, it means that it cannot withstand the force built by the rapid motion of sewing. Make sure to insert the needle according to instruction.

Insert the needle with the flat side of it facing the back. Do not let any space left in the shaft to avoid broken needle | Sewing tutorial © Singer® Hong Kong

When inserting the needle, the flat side of the needle should be facing the back. Do not let any space left in the shaft.

Wrong needle size is used for the fabric

The density and toughness of fabric are some of the factors that determines the needle to be used. If the fabric is densely woven and the fiber is strong, it is more difficult for a large needle to pass through the weaves and sew the fabric. This builds up excessive friction and causes needle breakage. Always choose a needle that suits the fabric, and change accordingly when sewing different types of materials.

Change needles accordingly when working with different materials to prevent needle from breaking | Sewing tutorial © Singer® Hong Kong

Change needles accordingly when working with different materials.

The wrong presser foot is attached

If a wrong presser foot is used, the needle will strike the foot and be unable to sew uniform stitches. Repeated striking makes a needle break, so make sure the right type of foot is in use, depending on the type of pattern sewn.