What size sewing machine needle should I use to sew polyester (light weight from the 1970's)?

Question

I am using an 11 point now, and it is slipping stitches- it doesn't do this with cotton.

Answer 1

That wonderful polyester from the seventies...memories memories...watching the gong show, going to high school and cursing the inventor who first made this obnoxious fiber! I think that polyester fabrics, especially crimpelene double knit fabric is one reason people stopped sewing in the seventies...it's difficult fabric to sew, and age likely hasn't improved its temper. Some vintage polyesters have gone brittle and plastic-ish and are not fun to work with. The reason vintage polyester is more difficult than modern polyesters is because the staple fibers used to make the yarn that made the fabric was thicker than modern micro-denier polyester fibers.

A ballpoint needle will help, as will fiddling with the tensions of the machine. sometimes the machine needs to be loosened, other machines prefer a tighter tension when working with polyester. Vintage polyesters can be surprisingly thick and spongy to the needle, so a slightly longer stitch length might help. Be sure to use good long staple polyester thread to sew vintage polyester. You might need to resort to layering tissue paper over and under the fabric to get it to behave.

Oh yes...are you certain it's polyester? There was a fine knit fabric from that era called "qiana" and it was made from microfiber nylon, it was the first true modern micro denier fabric and it was horrible for skipped stitches. Manufacturers couldn't figure out how to keep stitches from popping and skipping any better than home sewers. You will need to use a very fine ballpoint needle for that fabric, use a zig zag stitch, fine thread and the tissue paper trick and don't be too surprised if you are still getting skipped stitches, That's one of many reasons "qiana" nylon is no longer made.

Answer 2

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RE:
What size sewing machine needle should I use to sew polyester (light weight from the 1970's)?
I am using an 11 point now, and it is slipping stitches- it doesn't do this with cotton.

Answer 3

It's not the size of the needle, but the shape of the point. You need to use a ball point needle for polyester. The ball point pushes the fibers apart instead of trying to pierce through them like a sharp point does on cotton. Look at the Shmetz needles.

Answer 4

There are a few things you can try.

Did you pre-wash the fabric to get the gunk off? That stuff will grab the needle.

Did the machine come with different size throat plates? You may need to switch to a rectangular one if a round one is on there.

You can also try moving the needle to the right or left position and see if that helps. Just remember you also have to shift your seam to compensate for the change in needle position.

Also you could try holding the material tight in front and back, if you can do it without affecting the rate that the machine pulls it through.
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Answer 5

Depends on the machine, can you check in the manuel??
or perhaps at a fabric shop?

It may be the setting on the machine, or the way it is threaded, could be incorrect. Or, I have had old thread, that just plain breaks. So I have purchased a new one, polyester and cotton mix, and the needle was fine.

check it out.