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Machine embroidery reference

Embroidery Needle Guide

Choose what you're embroidering to find a suitable needle type and size.

Search by name, material or common alternative term.

Clothing

14 choices

Stretch & knit fabrics

9 choices

Stable woven fabrics

15 choices

Towels & pile fabrics

13 choices

Delicate & sheer fabrics

6 choices

Bags, hats & accessories

9 choices

Household & craft

10 choices

Difficult surfaces

3 choices

79 practical starting points across familiar fabrics and items. Recommendations are brand independent.

Bags, hats & accessories

Canvas tote bag

A practical embroidery needle starting point for this material.

Recommended needle

Jeans/denim needle

Recommended size

80/12–90/14

Why?

The reinforced blade and sharp point are better able to penetrate dense, firmly woven layers without using an unnecessarily large needle.

Tips

  • Start with a fresh needle and replace it if stitches skip or thread begins to shred.
  • Slow the machine over bulky seams or multiple layers.
  • Match the design density and thread weight to the fabric rather than relying on needle size alone.
  • Test the complete setup on a scrap or hidden area before embroidering the final item.