V69 Thread Needle Size: Bonded Thread Guide

Choosing the right needle size is key when using bonded thread as it directly affects the quality and longevity of your stitches. Bonded thread is used in upholstery, leather goods, outdoor gear and other heavy duty sewing applications so it’s important to match the right needle size to your exact thread for optimal performance. This guide will cover the needle size for popular bonded thread sizes including V69 thread and V92 thread.

Why Needle Size Matters

When using bonded thread the needle size is more than just a technical detail – it’s a vital part of the stitching process. Using the wrong needle size can result in:

• Uneven stitches

• Thread breakage

• Fabric damage

• Wearing out the sewing machine

A correctly matched needle size means smooth thread passage, less friction and consistent, durable stitches. Plus choosing the right thread for your project, fabric and needle size is important for optimal sewing machine performance and great results.

What is Bonded Thread?

Polyester thread is a high strength sewing thread made from nylon or polyester. It’s treated with a bonding agent to increase its strength, reduce fraying and durability during heavy use. Bonded thread is identified by size, usually noted as “V” followed by a number (e.g. V69, V92). These sizes refer to the thread’s strength and diameter and the corresponding sewing application and needle size.

Common Bonded Thread Sizes

1. V69 Thread

Used for medium strength stitches for projects like upholstery, sewing canvas and light leather work.

1. V92 Thread

Used for heavier applications like outdoor gear, luggage and heavy leather items.

Thread Bonding and Needle Size

Thread bonding and needle size are two important factors that work together for a successful sewing project. Thread bonding is the process of treating or coating threads to make them stronger and more durable. This treatment increases the thread’s strength, elasticity and resistance to abrasion and UV light making it suitable for heavy duty applications.

Needle size refers to the diameter of the needle which affects the size of the hole it makes in the fabric. Choosing the right needle size is critical to prevent fabric damage and get a professional finish. When choosing a needle size you need to consider the type of fabric being used, the weight of the thread and the desired stitch quality. A needle that’s too small will break or bend on heavy fabrics and a needle that’s too large will leave holes in delicate fabrics. A thread that’s too thin or too thick for the needle size will result in poor stitch quality, thread breakage or fabric damage.

By understanding the relationship between thread bonding and needle size you can make better decisions for your sewing projects.

Needle Sizing for Bonded Thread

Size needle selection is important for best results with bonded thread. Needle sizes are expressed in two ways:

• Metric (Nm): The needle diameter in tenths of a millimeter (e.g. Nm 110 = 1.10mm)

• Singer System: A numerical alternative to the metric system (e.g. 18 in the Singer system)

Both systems are used for selecting a needle for bonded thread.

Factors to Consider when Choosing a Needle Size

Several factors to consider:

• Fabric Type and Weight: Different fabrics require different needle sizes. For example lightweight fabrics like silk or chiffon need smaller needle sizes and heavy fabrics like denim or canvas need larger needle sizes so the needle can penetrate the fabric without damaging it.

• Thread Weight and Type: The weight and type of thread being used also affects needle size selection. Thicker threads like bonded nylon thread need larger needle sizes to accommodate the thread’s diameter and thinner threads work best with smaller needles.

• Sewing Machine: Different sewing machines have different needle size limits. Most home machines can handle up to 110/18 and industrial machines can handle larger needle sizes. Know your machine’s limits to avoid damaging it or compromising stitch quality.

• Stitch Quality: The desired stitch quality also affects needle size selection. For example a smaller needle size may be needed for delicate or intricate stitches and a larger needle size for heavier or textured stitches so the stitches are even and secure.

By considering these you can choose the right needle size for your project and get professional results.

V69 Needle Size Guide

V69 bonded thread is for medium weight fabrics like canvas, vinyl and upholstery fabric. When using a home machine make sure the thread and needle size are compatible to avoid damaging the machine. Since this thread is smaller in diameter it pairs well with medium size needles.

Recommended Needles:

Nm 100-110 Singer 16-18

Using a needle in this range will give you smooth stitching without compromising the thread or material. But note that home machines may not be able to handle V69 thread due to their limitations with different types of thread and needle sizes. Applications:

• Upholstery furniture

• Boat covers

• Canvas bags

V92 Needle Size Guide

Thicker thread like V92 bonded thread is thicker and stronger so it’s good for heavy duty projects like leatherworking, luggage and outdoor equipment.

Recommended Needles:

Nm 110-125 Singer 18-20

These larger needles prevent thread tension issues while piercing heavier materials. When using a home machine make sure to choose compatible thread and needle size to avoid damaging the machine. Applications:

• Leather belts

• Hiking gear

• Industrial tarps

Choosing the Right Needle for Your Machine

Choosing the right needle size is more than just matching the thread type. Consider:

Knowing various sewing techniques is key to getting professional results. Knowing how to choose the right needle and thread combination and experimenting and learning with the sewing community can improve your skills.

1. Fabric Weight and Material

Heavy materials like leather or canvas may need slightly larger needles for smooth penetration without damaging the fibers.

1. Stitch Density

Sewing dense patterns with bonded thread use slightly larger needle to reduce friction and improve thread movement.

1. Machine Type

Make sure your machine can handle the needle size. Industrial machines can handle larger needles while domestic machines have limitations.

1. Test First

Always test the needle and thread combination on a scrap of your material to see if it stitches and tensions properly.

Common Mistakes to Watch Out For

When working with thread bonding and needle size there are several mistakes to avoid:

• Using a Needle That’s Too Small for the Thread: This will cause thread breakage, poor stitch quality and fabric damage. Make sure the needle eye is big enough to accommodate the thread.

• Using a Needle That’s Too Large for the Fabric: This will cause holes in delicate fabrics, fabric damage and poor stitch quality. Choose a needle size that matches the fabric weight and texture.

• Not Adjusting Bobbin Tension: Not adjusting bobbin tension will cause poor stitch quality, thread breakage and fabric damage. Bobbin tension is key to balanced stitches.

• Not Testing Thread and Needles with Scraps of Fabric: This will cause poor stitch quality, thread breakage and fabric damage. Always test your needle and thread combination on a scrap of fabric before starting your project.

• Not Reading the Machine Manual: Not reading the machine manual will cause incorrect needle size selection, poor stitch quality and fabric damage. Your manual has information on compatible needle sizes and thread types.

By understanding thread bonding and needle size, considering the factors that affect needle size and avoiding common mistakes you can get a successful sewing project with professional looking results.

Common Issues and Solutions

Even with the right needle and thread size, problems can occur when sewing with bonded thread. Here’s how to fix:

• Thread Fraying or Breaking

Solution: Check the needle eye is big enough to accommodate the thread. If fraying continues try a slightly larger needle.

• Skipped Stitches

Solution: Make sure the needle is sharp and matched to the thread thickness.

• Fabric Damage

Solution: Use smaller needle to minimize risk of tearing or piercing finer materials.

Advanced Sewing with Bonded Thread

When working with larger thread sizes like V138 and above the needle sizing changes. For example:

• V138

Recommended Needle Size Range: Nm 125-140 (Singer Size 20-22)

These needles are for ultra heavy materials like industrial tarps, sails and automotive upholstery.

Note: Using larger thread sizes on a domestic machine can be tricky. Domestic machines can struggle with thicker threads and using the wrong thread weight can damage the machine. Knowing these advanced combinations will allow you to tackle a wide range of projects that require extra strength and durability.

Conclusion on Needle and Bonded Thread Combination

The thread and needle size is key to professional looking results. Needle size affects stitch quality, prevents machine wear and ensures durability of your projects. Whether you’re using V69 thread for medium weight materials or V92 thread for heavy duty applications the right needle size will give you consistent high performance stitches.

When choosing the right needle and thread for domestic machines you need to consider the machine and project requirements. By taking the time to understand the right needle/thread combination you’ll save yourself from common stitching problems and the longevity of your machine and project results. Always check your machine manual and test your setup to get the best results.

For heavy duty stitching have bonded thread and the corresponding needle sizes in your toolbox. Plan your next project now.