Vinyl needle

[65Buick]

Do vinyl needles have a ball on the end? I thought I read somewhere that you're trying to punch a small hole versus a piercing. And when you see work that has the thread showing through, is that b/c the sewer used the incorrect needle?

[MinUph]

I've always used ball point needles with vinyl. It is not recommended but its what we use. A triangle point is better supposedly as it closes around the thread and will also give you a different stick that looks nice. Not sure what you meen by stitch showing through?

[65Buick]

Thanks Paul, I'll call my sewing machine guy and see what he says.

If I find an example I'll take a photo. If you have ever noticed, especially when the sewer used a contrasting thread, sometimes after a whole lot of use the vinyl will stretch along the seam so that you can then see the holes and stitches on the right side of the fabric. In some cases I have even seen this on an apparently recent upholstery job.

[SteveA]

Maybe tighter stitches would help ?
SA

[Mojo]

We sew several hundred yards of vinyl a month and have been for the last 4 years. We use titanium needles and have never had a problem. I change them out every 3 months since we are a production shop.

This is what we use on 19 oz vinyl covering Size 18 with 132 Solarfix thread - http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-TITANIUM-135X17-DPX17-Organ-Industrial-Sewing-Machine-Needles-/160659289397?var=460033294449&hash=item25680a3535:m:msddP6J0yX-pLE7cW30hoSg

They last a long time and hold their point well.

Chris