Stitching Cow

CREWEL NEEDLES - These are used for most embroidery stitches, as the sharp point & large eye make them easy to work with.

They are medium- length (sizes 1-10, and are used for fine 6 medium weight embroidery on plain
weave fabric. Choose a needle that takes the thread easily. Whilst a small needle will help to keep your work fine, if the needle is too small for the thread you will find it hard to pull the thread through the fabric. The size of the needle is up to you, but it should be fine if working on a fine fabric with 1-2 threads. I prefer working with 9-10 size most of the time.

CHENILLE NEEDLES - These are similar to crewel needles, but they are longer & thicker, with larger eyes to accommodate heavier thread (sizes 14-26. They are commonly used for ribbon embroidery.

TAPESTRY NEEDLES - These needles have blunt points 6 are used for canvas work & embroidery on even weave fabric. They are usually used for wool embroidery 6 ribbon embroidery (sizes 14-26.

STRAW OR MILLINER NEEDLES - These are used for bullion stitch, grub roses (groups of bullion, 6 for colonial knots. They are long & fine, with a small eye. The long shaft and small eye pass through the wraps easily, resulting in an even bullion stitch.

QUILTING NEEDLES - There is a lot of variation with hand quilters as to the needle preferred. A thicker crewel needle (size 6-7) can be used or a sharp/between needle. I prefer to use a size 12 gold eye quilting needle (Sew Easy or Clover brand). It really depends on the wadding and fabric used as well as your quilting technique.