In my first two posts this week, I wrote about what I believe are the most popular pairings of SCHMETZ Universal needle sizes and Gütermann threads, based on the thread weights: Best SCHMETZ needle sizes for 30wt & 12wt Gütermann Threads and Choosing the right SCHMETZ needle size for cotton | everyday sewing
Here is a list of the needles I talked about so far.
SCHMETZ #1718 Universal Needles Carded – 75/11 Gütermann threads 60wt
SCHMETZ #1709 Universal Needles Carded – 80/12 Gütermann threads 50wt or 60wt
SCHMETZ #1710 Universal Needles Carded – 90/14 Gütermann threads 50wt
SCHMETZ #1778 Universal Needles Carded – 100/16 Gütermann threads 30wt
SCHMETZ #1728 Universal Needles Carded – 110/18 Gütermann threads 30wt or 12wt
SCHMETZ #1779 Universal Needles Carded – 120/19 Gütermann threads 12wt
Today, I have a play date with SCHMETZ Twin Needles!
SCHMETZ Twin Needles
When I started working with twin needles, my issue was, ‘What do the numbers represent? ’
Twin needles are usually labelled with two numbers, like this:
4.0/80 or 6.0/100
These numbers refer to:
- The distance between the two needles in millimeters
- The needle size/thickness (European sizing system)
Example: 4.0/80
- 4.0 mm → The distance between the two needles (how wide the stitch will be)
- 80 → The thickness of the needle (European size, like a single needle size 80/12)
SCHMETZ twin needles 4.0/80 and 6,0/100
Close-up example showing needle spacing in order: SCHMETZ #1794 Twin Needle Carded – 80/12 – 4.0mm, SCHMETZ #1776 Twin Needle Carded – 100/16 – 6.0mm and SCHMETZ #1734 Twin Needle Carded – 100/16 – 8.0mm
SCHMETZ 80/12–4.0mm, 100/16–6.0mm, and 100/16–8.0mm twin needles.
My favorite SCHMETZ twin needle is the 4.0/80.
SCHMETZ twin needles 4.0/80
The reasons it’s my favorite are:
– It’s the perfect width for sewing down bias tape.
– It creates evenly spaced parallel lines on sewing projects.
– It’s great for quilting consistent, parallel lines on quilts.
If using denim for a project, the SCHMETZ #1771 Twin Needle Carded – 100/16 – 4.0mm, paired with Gütermann Threads 30wt, mimics beautifully the twin lines found on jeans.
SCHMETZ Twin 4.0/80 needle sewing down Clover quick bias tape.
Sewing a Parallel Line
SCHMETZ Twin 4.0/80 needle for sewing parallel lines.
Now play with SCHMETZ Twin Needles, experiment, try them out and enjoy the results.
Tomorrow, I’ll share more information on other fun and engaging needles.
This is part 3 of 5 in this series
Go back to part 2: Best SCHMETZ needle sizes for 30wt & 12wt Gütermann Threads
Go to part 4: Essential SCHMETZ needles for specialty sewing and smooth stitching