The smaller number is the needle size according to the American numbering system. The American system uses 8 to 19. So 8 is a very fine, thin needle and 19 is a very thick, heavy needle. In the US, this may be the only number you see on the needle pack. The different size needles have been designed for optimal sewing on different weights of fabric.

A Guide to Sewing Machine Needle Selection. The correct selection of sewing machine needles to suit the thread and fabric being sewn results in more satisfactory stitching. Fine fabrics should be sewn with fine a sewing machine needle, heavier fabrics with heavier sewing machine needles. Sewing Machine Needle Charts 22.115 Page1 Formoreinformationonsewingmachineneedles,seeGuideline6.125 Needle Fabric/Use Sizes Description Ball-point Knits 70/10- A sewing machine needle with a blade diameter of 0.80mm therefore corresponds to NM 80, and a needle with a blade diameter of 1.30mm to NM 130. SCHMETZ ABC Pocket Guide PDF. An electronic version of the popular SCHMETZ ABC Pocket Guide. This 36-page booklet of household sewing machine needles includes fabric reference guide, needle anatomy, etc The needle temperature chiefly depends on the nature of the fabric, the speed of the sewing machine, the type of needle and the size of the thread itself. Make sure to keep an eye on the hairiness of the sewing thread because it can affect the seam's appearance. Sewing Machine Needle Sizes Understanding the numbers associated with sewing machine Needles will help you make the correct choice and possibly solve machine problems. Ann Champion Quilting and sewing tips, patterns, etc. Sewing machine needles look very different from hand sewing needles. Best Sewing machine needles have their eyes located very close to their points, or the tip of the needle. The eye is followed by a flat scarf of metal with a groove in it followed by the shaft of the needle which has a rounded side and a flat side. The eye is the same size in all t