The history of Schmetz can be traced back to 1851, when the Schmetz Needle Factory was founded. 
With over 170 years of experience, Schmetz has developed into a leading global provider of needle systems for the processing of textile products. 

With so much experience under its belt, Schmetz are always there to help us 'produce the perfect seam', but with so much choice, it can be overwhelming, especially when you don't have 170 years of experience! 

But we are here to help, with our Guide to Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles. 

Before we get into the options of Sewing Needles on offer, lets have a quick look at some helpful information on the Schmetz range.

The top part of a sewing machine needle (the part that is inserted into the sewing machine's needle bar), is known as the shank. Household sewing machine needles by Schmetz have a flat shank, which helps ensure the needle is in the right position and cannot be inserted incorrectly. 

The butt of a Schmetz machine needle is also bevelled, making it easier to insert the needle into the needle bar. 

The colour marking lets you know the Needle Type and Needle Size. 
Scroll down for more information on Colour Marking. 

The long groove protects the thread, ensuring that it does not get damaged when sewing. 

The scarfs creates more space for the hook so that the loop is easier to catch to form the stitch. 

The thread is inserted through the eye of the needle. 
Scroll down for more information on the various Schmetz eye variants.

The shape of the needle point and tip varies depending on the needle type. 
Scroll down for more information on the Needle Point Shape.

The needle size is defined by the NM number, which relates to the diameter of the needle blade, multiplied by 100. Therefore if the blade diameter is 0.75mm the corresponding size is NM 75. 
Did you know NM stands for Number Metrics, which is the metric sizing standard. 

The SIZE number was originally created by Singer, and is considered the Imperial sizing standard. 
(I have googled it, and no-one seems to know what the numbers actually mean). 

The Needle Size label typically consists of both numbers;
75/11 
The first number is the NM (metric) size, and the second number is the Imperial size. 

The colour marking can be found on the shoulder of the Schmetz household sewing machine needle. The first colour identifies the Needle Type, while the second colour identifies the Needle Size. 

Although the needle size is imprinted on the shank of the needle, it is very small and can be difficult to read. 

The Schmetz Universal Machine Needle does not feature a coloured band for the type. These needles are only identified by their size.

The Schmetz Quick Threading Needle does not feature a coloured band for the type. This needle can be identified by the small slot on the side of the eye. These needles are only identified by their size. 

As we look into each Needle Type in more detail, you will see information regarding the size/shape of the needle eye. In the image above, you can see a comparison of the various eye variants, as produced by Schmetz. 

The shape of the needle point and tip varies depending on the needle type. This ensures the needle is suitable for the material in question. Not all sewing needles are sharp, and the different point shapes are used for different applications. 

Slightly Rounded Point
The slightly rounded point is the common point shape for household sewing machine needles. This point shape is qualified for trouble-free sewing on most materials and many applications.

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Universal Needle
- Super Universal Needle
- Topstitch Needle
- Metallic Needle
- Double Eye Needle
- Quick Threading Needle

Slim, slightly rounded point
This point with slim taper to the slightly rounded point allows a particularly smooth stitch into sensitive fabrics, avoiding material damage.

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Quilting Needle
- Black Super Fine Needle

Acute Point
The acute point is qualified for accurate piercing of woven materials. It creates an exact seam appearance with straight stitches. 

This point shapes is used on the following needles;
- Longarm Quilting Needle

Slim, acute point
This point with slim taper to the acute point is suitable for accurate piercing of densely woven and coated materials. It creates an exact seam appearance with straight stitches and helps to reduce seam puckering. 

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Microtex Needle

Medium Ball Point
The medium ball point displaces fabric threads and loops, preventing material damage. It is used in knitwear and materials with elastane. It is also very suitable for denim and embroidery. 

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Stretch Needle
- Super Stretch Needle
- Black Super Stretch Needle
- Jersey Needle
- Jeans Needle
- Gold Jeans Needle
- Embroidery Needle
- Gold Embroidery Needle

Twist Point (cut)
The twist point (LL) is a cutting point with a lens-shaped cross-section, which cuts at an angle. This creates a decorative angular stitch, suitable for use on leather, and leather-type materials. (Image below shows a comparison between Twist Point cut and Half Triangular Point Cut).

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Leather Needle (LL)

Half Triangular Point (cut)
The half triangular point (DH) is a cutting point with a triangular cross-section. This creates a straight stitch, suitable for use on leather, and leather-type materials. (Image below shows a comparison between Twist Point cut and Half Triangular Point Cut).

This point shape is used on the following needles;
- Leather Needle (DH)

The image above shows a comparison between;
Twist Point cut (left), as found on the Leather Needles (LL)
Half Triangular Point cut (right), as found on the Leather Needles (DH). 

Schmetz use three kinds of coatings on their household sewing machine needles;

Chrome is the new standard coating of Schmetz household needles.

The Gold-coloured coating provides wear protection for extra endurance. It is ideal for sewing-intensive projects or heavy projects. It is suitable for beginners, as small operate errors are compensated for by the particularly hard coating. 

The Black coating provides an anti-stick finish, which is recommended for when you sew sensitive fabrics or use sticky materials. 

Every packet of Schmetz needles contains all the information about the respective needle. The box lists the needle designation, the needle system, and the needle size in NM/SIZE. 

The clear packaging also allows you to see the colour marking on the needle. 

The needle packaging is also designed to protect the needle, including the point until it is used in the sewing machine. 

Schmetz Sewing Machine Needle Range

Schmetz Universal Machine Needles are also available in Packs of 10 - Click here

This needle is suitable for use with Hook-and-loop tape. 
Please note, it is normal for the surface of the needle to fade with time. This does not affect the anti-adhesive properties. 

The Universal Twin Needle can be used on conventional household sewing machines that have a zig-zag function. If your machine has 'Twin Mode' (or similar), it is recommended to use this to limit the stitch width. This prevents the needle from accidentally hitting the needle plate and breaking. 
A separate spool of thread is required for each needle. You can use the same colour, or different colours in each needle. Guide the two threads through your machines system, then separate before threading through each eye.
The sizes listed are the sizes that we currently stock. 

The Universal Extra Wide Twin Needle can be used on conventional household sewing machines that have a zig-zag function, and a needle plate and sewing foot with recesses of at least 6-8mm in width. If your machine has 'Twin Mode' (or similar), it is recommended to use this to limit the stitch width. This prevents the needle from accidentally hitting the needle plate and breaking. 
A separate spool of thread is required for each needle. You can use the same colour, or different colours in each needle. Guide the two threads through your machines system, then separate before threading through each eye.
The sizes listed are the sizes that we currently stock. 

The Schmetz Jersey Machine Needles are best suited for knitted fabrics. For highly elastic fabrics, we would recommend the Stretch or Super Stretch Machine Needles. 

The Schmetz Stretch Machine Needles are best suited for elastic or highly elastic knitted fabrics. When using thicker threads, we would recommend the Super Stretch Machine Needles. 

The Schmetz Super Stretch Machine Needles are best suited for elastic or highly elastic knitted fabrics, when using thicker threads. 

The Schmetz Stretch Twin Machine Needle can be used on conventional household sewing machines that have a zig-zag function. The needle plate and sewing foot much have a recess large enough for the selected needle width. If your machine has 'Twin Mode' (or similar), it is recommended to use this to limit the stitch width. This prevents the needle from accidentally hitting the needle plate and breaking. 
A separate spool of thread is required for each needle. You can use the same colour, or different colours in each needle. Guide the two threads through your machines system, then separate before threading through each eye.
The sizes listed are the sizes that we currently stock. 

The Schmetz Jeans Machine Needle is particularly suitable for pocket seams as it can even handle thick seams.

The Schmetz Jeans Twin Machine Needle can be used on conventional household sewing machines that have a zig-zag function. The needle plate and sewing foot much have a recess large enough for the selected needle width. If your machine has 'Twin Mode' (or similar), it is recommended to use this to limit the stitch width. This prevents the needle from accidentally hitting the needle plate and breaking. 
A separate spool of thread is required for each needle. You can use the same colour, or different colours in each needle. Guide the two threads through your machines system, then separate before threading through each eye.

Acute Point Needles are more sensitive than rounded or ball points; therefore you should check the needle for damage more frequently and replace it in good time. 

The Schmetz Leather Machine Needles are NOT suitable for textiles due to their cutting effect. Woven or knitted fabrics can be severed during sewing. 
Choose a longer stitch length to stop the stitches being torn out. 

The Twist Point (LL) Leather Needles are suitable for use with Leather, and Hard Synthetic Leather. For Soft Synthetic Leather we would recommend the Microtex Needle first. 

The Schmetz Leather Machine Needles are NOT suitable for textiles due to their cutting effect. Woven or knitted fabrics can be severed during sewing. 
Choose a longer stitch length to stop the stitches being torn out. 

The Half Triangular Cut Point (DH) Leather Needles are suitable for use with Leather, Hard Synthetic Leather and SOME soft Synthetic Leathers. We we would recommend the Microtex Needle first. 

The Quilting Needle gets its name because it is mainly used in quilting for patchwork and topstitching work. The design has been optimised to prevent needle breakage and skipped stitches. 

When working with multiple or thicker threads, we would recommend the Topstitch Needle.

The Schmetz Topstitch Machine Needle has a much longer eye, than that of the Embroidery Needle. It is ideal for decorative stitches or freehand embroidery, with household sewing machines. Can also be used for embroidery with embroidery machines. 

The Schmetz Metallic Machine Needles feature an extra long eye, allowing metallic sewing and embroidery threads to glide effortlessly through the needle. A longer stitch length improves the shine of metallic threads, while sewing more slowly will help prevent thread breakage. 

See our range of Gutermann Metallic and Specialist threads. 

The Schmetz Embroidery Machine Needle has an extra wide eye to ensure sewing and embroidery threads glide effortlessly through the needle, without tearing. 
Suitable for use with thicker threads or effect threads, on conventional household sewing machines. 

All the benefits of the Embroidery Needle, with the added benefit of extra wear protection with the hard coating. 

Use the Quick Threading Needle as an alternative when your sewing machine does not have a needle threader. 
Do not use the Quick Threading Needle when working with thin or fine materials. 

Not suitable for use with sewing machines with an oscillating hook (CB hook) as the thread can slide out of the slot due to the unique movement pattern of this type of hook. 

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Hopefully our little guide has helped you navigate your way around the Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles range. 

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Happy Sewing!