Titanium Needles: What are the advantages?

by Serena Smith

Titanium needles are great for machine embroidery! Stop and really think about how many times the needle penetrates the fabric -- many times! For every stitch, the needle is being inserted into the fabric. So if your design has 20,000 stitches in it, the needle has gone through the fabric at least 20,000 times. This dulls your needle in a hurry! Titanium needles are a great help because they are stronger, last longer, less likely to break and keep your thread flowing smoothly through the eye of the needle!

Titanium needles are coated with titanium nitride layered on the surface of the needles. With the titanium coating, these needles last up to five times longer than conventional chrome-plated needles. They are more wear resistant which reduces needle breakage, bending and distorting. This is very advantageous for the reliability and durability when stitching embroidery designs.

The point of the needle is also strengthened with the titanium coating. The needle point dulls easily as it is continuously going in and out of the needle. This also causes the needle to wear and break. The titanium coating reinforced the strength of the needle without distorting the shape to provide more durability.

The Organ Needle Company makes titanium needles in a ballpoint and sharp. They are available in a 75/11, 80/12 and 90/14 size. Because of the titanium coating, these needles are a little heavier than a traditional needle. A titanium needle size 80/12 is comparable to a chrome needle size 90/14. For most of my embroidery, I use titanium needles size 80/12. They slide in and out of the fabric so smoothly. If I am stitching on sheer or very lightweight fabric, I usually change to the titanium size 75/11. The smaller size is perfect for the finer fabrics.

I don't know how I could stitch all the embroidery designs I do without using titanium needles! Titanium needles work very well with all kinds of threads - embroidery, metallic, metallic sliver, cotton, monofilament and polyester - they last longer, are less likely to break and help to prevent the thread from breaking. They are a little more expensive than Schmetz needles, but with the longer stitching time that they can be used, it ends up saving me $$ and LOTS of frustration! Not only do they last longer for machine embroidery, but they also work great for piecing, quilting and any other type of sewing! Give them and try and you will discover you can't sew without titanium needles!