Needle and Thread Chart
This chart is to help you select the correct machine needle and thread for your fabric.
Natural fabrics are derived from fibres, animals or plants (wool, silk, cotton or linen).
Synthetic fabrics are derived from man-made fibres made from material such as wood pulp
(viscose) or chemicals (polyester – Terylene or acrylic – Courtelle). Many fabrics which were
traditionally woven from natural fibres are now blends of natural and man-made fibres in
various proportions. In this case the choice of thread is optional. Synthetic thread is
stronger and has more give than cotton thread and should always be used if the fabric is
mainly composed of synthetic fibre or if its knitted or stretchy.
Coats Drima offers the best properties of natural and synthetic fibres and can be used to
sew both types of fabric.
Fabric Weight
Light
Cotton lace
Lawn, gingham,
poplin
Silk
Blends (natural
and synthetic)
Medium
Tweed,
corduroy, linen
Coating,
worsted
Jersey
Wool
Blends (natural
and synthetic)
Thread
Natural fabrics
Synthetic fabrics
Machine Needle
Continental
British
(Milwards)
Coats Sanitised
cotton (50)
Coats Sanitised
cotton (50)
Pure silk (if
available)
Drima
Drima
70-90
11-14
Drima
70-90
11-14
Drima
70-90
11-14
Drima
70-90
11-14
70-90
11-14
Drima
90
14
Drima
Ballpoint needle, size suitable for
fabric
Drima
70-90
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
Pure silk (if
available)
Drima
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
11-14
Heavy
Coating
Sailcloth, canvas
Leather
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
Coats Sanitised
cotton (40)
Plastics
Top-stitching
Drima Bold
Stitch
90-110
14-16
Drima
90-110
14-16
Drima
Spearpoint needle
Drima
Spearpoint needle
Drima Bold
Stitch
100
16