Skipped stitches? Broken threads? For regular sewing, I get skipped stitches when the needle needs changing.

You may also hear a popping sound when the needle goes through the fabric.

Thanks for the question, I am bad about changing my needle.

If you have any problems with your thread or poor stitching, Try to change your needle and that could be the answer .Use the correct needle for diff threads and applications eg. metalic needle for metalic threads.
From Bev

I was told that I should change my embroidery needle after 10 hours of embroidering, sometimes I follow this rule sometimes not.

The best indicator for me is when the thread starts shredding & breaking. It's a dead certainty with my Elna's that I need a new needle. With the Diamond it starts stitching erratically, loose stitches, tight stitches, etc.

But I will always start with a new needle if I am starting an FSL design.

I buy my needles (I only use Schmetz) in bulk lots of 100 from the link below, though he doesn't appear to have any embroidery needles listed just now.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

I usually change my needle when it breaks! (giggle) I usually don't have problems with my needles I only use schmetz, don't sew over pins and by the time it starts to get dull it's usually just plain worn out and breaks. ;-)

Yep It starts to clunk when going throught the design, breaks, or shreads the thread. I keep a sticky note on the side and keep track of how many hours I used the needle and how many stitches it has done. Your book will rercommend how many hours to use one needle. I change my needle accordingly. Don't wait until it breaks because it can cause damage to your expensive machine and make scratches on the plate. Suzanne

Shredding thread is best indicator. Check needle often for small burrs at the tip. I like titanium needles best. They seem to last much longer.
Marcelle Lewis
http://embroideryavenue.com/
http://embroidery.gotop100.com/

Great question. I have a combination machine and can never remember if I am using an embroidery needle or a sewing needle. My eyes can no longer see the tiny numbers on the needles (do they still put them on the needles??) So I just sew along until I have a problem or as Meganne said start a special project like FSL and then I start with a new needle. Becky

Thanks for asking and thank you all for the asnsewers. Have a great day.

Thank, we have good advices

I always told customers that in embroidery, for best results a needle should be changed about every 100,000 stitches. If doing less dense designs 150,000 is ok. I know it is often, but it really does make a difference on the quality of the embroidery. Hope this helps.

This is an interesting topic. I remember in the Bernina sewing classes, that the instructor told us to use either Bernina needles or Schmetz, because they were forged, and not stamped out of sheet metal. I guess what she was trying to tell us was that they are stronger being forged, and would hold up better.

Wonderful Question! I think its helped a lot of us wit the answers you've gotten

I had been wondering also. Thanks for asking.

I do not wait until a problem occurs, I keep a sticky note on the side of my embroidery machine, when stitching out a design I note the number of stitches, after I get to 100,000 stitches I pop in a new needle. What to do with the needles after 100,000 I put them in a container and then use them to quilt fabrics for placements/tote bags and other miscellaneous items but never for sewing a wearable project. Hope this helps..... Kissimmee, Fl

So many great tips! Thank you everyone! Painting the heads is a really good idea. Dawn