Question

For a medium heavy fabric like gabardine, denim and tweed, the number of machine needle most suitable is :

• A. 11
• B. 14
• C. 16
• D. 18

Hint:

Think of needle size as directly proportional to fabric thickness. Size 11 is for delicate silk, size 14 for regular cotton, size 16 for heavy denim/tweed, and size 18 for thick leather.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Sewing machine needles are sized systematically based on their shaft thickness.
Selecting the correct needle size is crucial to ensure clean stitches, prevent skipped stitches, and avoid fabric or needle damage during sewing.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the relationship between needle sizes and fabric weights:
- Size 11 (75): A fine needle designed for lightweight, delicate fabrics such as silk, chiffon, and voile.
- Size 14 (90): A medium-weight needle suitable for standard apparel fabrics such as cotton, linen, and lightweight wool.
- Size 16 (100): A thick, sturdy needle designed specifically for medium-heavy fabrics.
Gabardine, denim, and tweed are dense, tightly woven, and heavy fabrics.
A size 16 needle is robust enough to penetrate these thick layers without bending or breaking, while creating large enough holes for the thread to pass through smoothly.
- Size 18 (110): An extremely thick needle reserved for very heavy materials like upholstery, heavy canvas, and thick leather.
Therefore, size 16 is the most suitable needle for medium-heavy fabrics like denim and tweed.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The most suitable machine needle size for medium-heavy fabrics like gabardine, denim, and tweed is 16.