Sewing Science - Up Close with Sewing Needles

This past weekend I was changing out my sewing needles and it made me wonder just what happens to a sewing needle with use.   I almost always change my needle with every project, unless it's just been gently used for hemming or something similar. And we're of course told to change needles often for better sewing.  So during my lunch break I put some new and used needles into the SEM (scanning electron microscope) to see what they looked like under high magnification.

First, the 90/14 ballpoints. I had a new and some used. (These are Organ Needles, FYI).

New needle, Magnification 2670x
Used needle, Magnification 2970x
Used needle, Magnification 2510x. This one is my favorite. I like the dent in the top of it.
The damage on the ballpoints isn't extreme. I'm not sure which, but one of the used ones I only used in finishing up some projects that were primarily done on the serger, so just necklines and hems, pretty light use over several projects on one day.

Now to check out some 70/10 regular needles. Here is a fresh, unused one:




 And below, the used needle.   This needle was also only used for one day, I used it to finish up two pairs of wool  pants I was sewing assembly-line style. So basically side seams, hems, waistband. That's it. And look at them:

Sweet merciful crap! Look at how blunted the tip is. Magnification 220x
Gouges seen at 1830x

The tip at magnification 1700x

Magnification 3040x

Magnification 5980x. Field of view is ~40 um.

This was a big eye opener.  I decided to be brave and check out my serger needles. For some reason, I change my machine needles every project and my serger needles.....annually.  Ugh. Why? I buy needles by the 100 so it's not like I don't have plenty of fresh ones.

Ok, here is a fresh pair of 90/14 Schmetz serger needles:


67x, 384x and 1760x magnification, respectively
Now the unholy horror that are my used 90/14 serger needles. Brace yourself:



Left needle, 1090x mag
Left needle tip, 2540 mag
Wait for it....

Right needle, 752x
Right needle tip (I am still calling it a tip but look at it), 892x mag


What exactly is that needle tip supposed to sew?!!  That is horrifying, and I'm so ashamed.  Let that be a lesson to ye sewists! My needles have seen to much. Don't let this be you.

I've found this very interesting (but I'm a geek) so I have a more few more plans for lunchtime sewing related SEM imaging that I'll be sharing on my Instagram and on the blog, for those who are interested! Thanks for reading and change your needles!!!

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