Needle Tip For Fusers
Join Brand Ambassador Laura Wasilowski in sharing her needle tip for fusers.
Even an old fuser can learn new tricks. Fusing is a great technique for creating the organic shapes found in my pictorial and storytelling quilts like Dye, Fuse, Cut, Stitch. I apply fusible web to all my fabrics in a design. The result may be up to 7 layers of fused fabric shapes in a quilt top.
When it comes time to add free-motion stitching to the quilt top, there can be a problem. Fusible web may gum up your sewing machine needle as you sew. The friction during the stitch process heats up the needle which melts the glue onto the needle. This gummy residue on the needle may cause uneven stitching and breaking threads.
Recently, I discovered a solution: use a titanium coated embroidery needle in the machine. The titanium coating on the needle keeps the needle cooler so the glue doesn’t stick to the needle. Also, an embroidery needle has a rounded point so if you back stitch onto a thread you don’t pierce a previous stitch. The needle tip rolls over the stitch without shredding the thread.
The titanium embroidery needle is now my favorite needle for my favorite machine, the BERNINA 750 QE. Together they make creating my art quilts a treat.
Additional information about machine needles.
All the fabrics used to make the tops for my art quilts have fusible web on them. When I add a binding this fabric may not have fusible web on it but, I still keep the titanium needle in place. And each time I start a new project, I replace the sewing machine needle. That way I get the best stitch on my favorite machine, the BERNINA 750 QE.
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14 comments on “Needle Tip For Fusers”
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There is information “out there” that suggest titanium needles or titanium coated needles can do damage to your machine when accidently hitting the throat plate etc. I don’t know if this is accurate, but I have avoided them just in case. Can anyone shed any light on this?
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I don’t believe this is true. Titanium coated needles will NOT damage your machine.
You may want to visit Superior Threads response to the titanium needle question you have. Here is the link: http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/why-use-titanium-coated-needles/-
Hello, HELP. I went right out and got the titanium embroidery needles and was thrilled when it worked for a while. Now after a few inches of zigzagging it gathers up on the top thread and then breaks, missing stitches… I am making super man, spiderman, batmam and wonderwomen capes for grandbabies with a couple layers of fusing in some of them. I have taken my machine apart and cleaned it well. I do not have a bernina, I have an Elna Quilters Dream 6003 that has worked wonderfully until now. It still does except when I am sewing on the fusing. Any other additional helps? I am out of solutions.
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Hi Becky,
I’m so sorry you are having difficulty sewing those precious gifts for your grandchildren. It has to be frustrating!
I do know that there are certain fusibles that are difficult to stitch through even with a titanium coated needle. If the fusible is of the tacky, thick variety it may be the problem. You may have to use a straight stitch rather than zigzag to complete the projects.
Here are a few tips about stitches skipping:
Change out the needle, it may be damaged
The needle may be too small or too large for the thread used
Change the type of thread you’re using and make sure there are no knots or twists in the thread as it feeds through the machine.
Make sure the machine is threaded correctly
Adjust the tension, is it too tight. to loose?
Is the timing on your machine correct?I hope this helps!
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Thank you for the tip. I’m trying to quilt my first collage wall hanging. I’m a little frustrated though. I have Bernina QE440 and I’m using the stitch regulator. Should I use a darning foot instead. With the stitch regulator foot, it will miss several stitches in a row, like it’s not catching the bobbin. My needles gum up and the thread breaks.
Tomorrow I am going shopping for the Titanium needles and Aurofil thread. Do you recommend any other kind of thread?
I appreciate your help.-
I suggest trying the Titanium embroidery needle with your stitch regulator too see if that helps. Also, try using Isacord thread on your machine. I find it works great with my 14/90 Titanium embroidery needle whether I’m using the stitch regulator or a darning foot.
Have fun!
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I heard that titanium needles should not be used with the 8series machines. What do you suggest?
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Thanks for your question! I don’t use an 8 series machine but we’ve checked with the wonderful BERNINA techs and this is what they have to say:
Titanium needles are covered with titanium so the shell is much tougher. In case of a needle strike, there is a higher chance that the needle could cause more damage in the strike zone. Needle strikes and the result of the damage to the machines are not covered under the warranty. We are not discouraging consumers to use Titanium needles but they must be used responsibly.
After testing different brands of titanium needles (Bachmann, Schmetz, Organ and Klasse) it was found that Bachmann was best for regular sewing and Organ for embroidery.
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Hi Laura—who carries Bachman’s titanium needles? Or are they under a different name maybe? Thanks! Can’t locate a source.
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I’ve had trouble finding them as well. I do know that the Schmetz needles are easier to come by. I’ve been using that brand for years. Happy sewing!
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Thanks for this wealth of needle knowledge!! Reading every question and your replies teaches me even more! I am an owner of several Bernina machines. I have been sewing for more than 45 years but have so much more to learn lol. I am getting into more artistic sewing so I am fascinated with varied threads, textures and techniques out there for me to learn. again than you!!
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You’re welcome Diane. Happy Stitching!
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Wow! I wish I had hunted up this post about three days (and countless thread breaks, needle changes, thread changes, and general frustration). I’m trying a titanium needle (Organ) now and I’ll see if I get better results. Alas, it’s not an embroidery needle, but I’ll see how it does.
I’m using Aurifill top and bobbin, with Steam-a-Seam Lite fusible. I’ll pass on one tip I found from the fusible manufacturer (buried rather subtly on the packaging): if you’re getting skipped stitches, try pressing the fusible some more. Well, that kind of worked, and it did make me more aware of actually following the manufacturer’s instructions (20 seconds).
Oh, yes–I’m using an 880+.
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I bought these needles and had no idea of their usefulness or any difference in the regular embroidery needles. Thanks so much for the tip.