Replacing a needle is a basic but critical operation that every sewing equipment owner should be able to perform. Incorrectly installed or dulled needle causes misses of stitches, breaks of thread and even damage to the shuttle mechanism. Owners of machinery Janome Often face the need for rapid replacement of consumables, especially when switching to work with new fabrics.
Many beginners mistakenly believe that the installation process is the same for all machines, but in the model range Janome There are nuances of attachment and orientation. Ignoring these details can lead to the breakdown of expensive equipment. In this article, we will analyze the algorithm of actions in detail, analyze the types of needles and answer frequent questions.
Regular needle replacement is the key to a quality seam and a long life of your machine. Even if you sew a little, it is recommended to change the needle after each large project or every 8-10 hours of work. Let’s look at how to do it safely and correctly.
Workplace preparation and needle selection
Before you start dismantling the old needle, you need to provide good lighting and prepare a new needle. For cars. Janome Standard needles with a flat tail system 130/705 H are suitable. It is important to choose the right needle number depending on the density of the fabric: for thin silk, No. 70-80 will be suitable, and for jeans - No. 90-110.
Make sure that the new needle has no visible defects, rust or curvature. Using a damaged tool can cause filament rupture or damage to the needle plate. Always keep tweezers or a special magnetic holder on hand so as not to accidentally drop a small detail inside the mechanism.
⚠️ Warning: Never try to insert a needle if the machine is connected to the power grid. Accidental pressing of the pedal while working with your hands can lead to serious injury to the finger.
Particular attention should be paid to the packaging of a new needle. It always indicates the type of point: universal, for knitwear (rounded) or for jeans (reinforced). Knitting needles have a rounded tip that pushes the fibers apart rather than piercing them, which prevents puffs from appearing on the elastic fabrics. Using the wrong type of tip is a common reason for marriage in the seam.
Removal of an old needle from the car
The process of removing the needle on machines Janome It usually does not require complex tools, but requires precision. Raise the needle driver to the highest position, turning the flywheel on yourself. This will provide maximum access to the fastening screw and protect the mechanism from accidental impact.
Use a screwdriver that came complete with the machine, or a suitable cross screwdriver. Weaken the screw of the needle holder, turning it counterclockwise. Do not twist the screw completely, so as not to lose it among the villi of the fabric or on the floor of the workshop.
- 🧵 Weaken the screw of the needle attachment by 2-3 revolutions, without removing it completely.
- 🧵 Carefully pull the needle down, removing it from the needle holder.
- 🧵 Examine the place of attachment for the presence of pile, dust or residues of threads.
If the screw is rusted or boiled, do not make excessive efforts not to break the thread. A drop of engine oil and exposure for 10-15 minutes will help solve the problem. In rare cases on older models Janome The screw can be hidden under a decorative lining, which must be carefully removed.
☑️ Checklist before installation
Technology of installation of a new needle
Installation of a new needle is the point where errors are most often made that affect the quality of the line. In cars. Janome The orientation of the needle is strictly regulated: the flat side of the tail (bald) should look in a certain direction. In most modern models, this side faces back (to the rear wall of the machine), but in some industrial or specialized models, the orientation may differ.
Put the needle in the needle holder to the point. It should enter tightly and without distortion. If the needle comes tightly, don’t use a hammer or pliers – you may be trying to insert a needle of an inappropriate system or flipping it over. After the needle rested on the limiter, tighten the fastening screw clockwise.
Tighten the screw confidently, but without fanaticism. Excessive force can lead to deformation of the thread of the needle holder. Make sure the needle is fixed securely and does not stagger with a light touch.
What happens if you mix the sides of the needle?
If the flat side of the tail is looking in the wrong direction, the needle will not be able to form the right loop to capture the thread with the shuttle. This will lead to constant stitches misses, severe friction and, with a high probability, to break the needle against the needle plate or shuttle.
Table of needle and tissue correspondence
The right choice of needle directly affects the appearance of the product. Below is a table that will help you navigate in choosing the needle number Janome for different materials.
| tissue | Recommended needle number | Point type | Thickness of the thread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silk, chiffon, organza. | 60–70 | Universal. | Thin (40-60) |
| Cotton, linen, viscose | 80–90 | Universal. | Mean (40) |
| Jeans, coat cloth | 100–110 | Jeans (Jeans) | Dense (30) |
| Knitwear, cooler | 75–90 | For knitwear (Ball Point) | Elastic |
| Skin, suede | 90–100 | For the skin (Leather) | Strong. |
Using a needle too thick for thin fabric will result in large holes and damage to the material's structure. Conversely, a thin needle on a dense fabric can break or bend without breaking through the material.
Keep the package from the new needle: it always has the number and type written on it. This will help you quickly find an analogue in the store without carrying an old needle.
Tension setting and test firmware
After replacing the needle, it is always necessary to perform a test firmware on a patch of the same fabric from which the product will be sewn. This will ensure the correctness of the installation and the absence of defects. Pay attention to the sound of the machine: it should be smooth, without knocking or grinding.
Check the top and bottom strands. If after replacing the needle, loops appeared on top or bottom, it may be necessary (slight adjustment) of the tension of the thread. However, most often the problem lies in the wrong installation of the needle or its discrepancy of the tissue.
- 🧵 Make a few lines of different lengths.
- 🧵 Check the inside of the seam for the passes.
- 🧵 Make sure the fabric does not gather into the folds at the needle.
If the car makes unusual sounds, stop immediately. Check if the needle is touching the needle plate or shuttle. The gap between the needle point and the shuttle should be minimal, but not zero.
⚠️ WARNING: If you feel a sharp accent while scrolling your flywheel with your hand or hear a metal knock, do not turn the car on the net. This is a sign that the needle is set too low or skewed and hits the shuttle.
Frequent errors and their consequences
One of the most common mistakes is incomplete lifting of the needle into the needle holder. If the needle is inserted not to the point, the mechanism of synchronization with the shuttle is broken, which is guaranteed to lead to skips of stitches. In models Janome with a horizontal shuttle, it can also cause entanglement of the thread in the shuttle compartment.
Another mistake is the use of rusty or bent needles "for reserve." Even a microscopic burrow on the tip can damage tissue fibers or tear the thread. Always check the quality of the needle before installation by running it through the cotton fabric: if it pulls the thread, the needle must be thrown away.
Timely needle replacement is the cheapest way to avoid costly sewing machine repairs and damaged fabrics.
Do not forget that a dull needle heats up when working faster than a sharp one. This is especially critical when working with synthetic fabrics, which can melt from the high temperature of the needle, leaving ugly marks on the seam.
Maintenance of the needle holder
Regularly clean the area around the needle holder from pile and dust. The accumulation of contaminants can interfere with the tight fixation of the needle. For cleaning, use a soft brush or a special brush included in the kit. Janome.
Once a year, it is recommended to drip one drop of oil into the mechanism of the needle holder, if the instruction for your model allows it. Some modern machines Janome have factory lubricant that does not require maintenance, so check the manual before lubricating.
Can I use other brands on Janome?
Yes, you can use the Schmetz, Organ or Groz-Beckert brand needles if they are 130/705H (flat tail) systems. However, needles with a round tail (for example, from some industrial machines or overlocks) can not be used - they will not be properly fixed and synchronized.
Why does the needle break immediately after installation?
Main reasons: the needle is inserted not to the point, a needle too thin for dense fabric is chosen, the fabric was pulled strongly by hands during sewing, or the needle hit the pin / metal fittings.
How often should I change the needle?
Professionals recommend changing the needle after each large project (for example, after sewing one dress or a set of curtains) or every 8-10 hours of continuous work. When sewing leather or jeans, it is better to change the needle even more often.
What to do if the needle screw is lost?
Do not try to use temporary replacements (scotch, glue). Contact an Authorized Service Center Janome or a sewing fittings store - screws are standardized, and it is not difficult to choose an analogue.