Replies

1. 
   meg | Nov 07, 2009 02:23pm | #1

   I'm partial to Schmetz brand machine needles. I've heard that Organ brand needles are good, too.

2. 
   beo | Nov 07, 2009 07:35pm | #2

   Bernina also makes an excellent needle.

1. 
   wghmch | Nov 08, 2009 07:45am | #5

   "Bernina also makes an excellent needle."Bernina has never ever made needles.Bill Holman

   Edited 11/7/2009 11:52 pm by wghmch

1. 
   joanier | Nov 08, 2009 02:41pm | #6

   <Bernina has never ever made needles>

   Perhaps not, but there were (are?) needles packaged under Bernina's name.  Still have some somewhere.

    

1. 
   PowellPat | Nov 08, 2009 04:10pm | #7

   Yep, I just bought a Bernina and the dealer "recommends" using only Bernina needles...which, of course, costs more. I didn't fall for it though. My new Bernina will use the same needles as my old Husquvara, and like it. ; )

1. 
   wghmch | Nov 08, 2009 04:47pm | #8

   Most of the European mfgrs contracted to have their name on the outside of the needle pkg, and a high percentage of them have been Schmetz. Schmetz was always willing to label the pkg with the SM name, but the needle itself always had Schmetz on the shank. I haven't kept up with things like this since I retired, but I doubt that it has changed much. Back in the days that the scarf was first being incorporated into the common 705 needle design, there were numerous interesting side stories in how it evolved. I wrote this up in a one page PDF document that I am happy to attach to a reply to an e-mail asking about "the needle document."Bill Holman

2. 
   brendainmi | Nov 10, 2009 05:05am | #9

   My Janome came with Organ needles, but I have also used schemtz with no problems.

   brenda in MI

3. 
   stillsuesew | Nov 07, 2009 09:36pm | #3

   Most brands will fit the Janome machines. What is more important is having a variety of kinds of needle. There are needles for woven, knit, denim etc. She should go to a sewing machine dealer and tell them what kind of sewing she does and get several different kinds. I have at least 20 different needles in different sizes in my drawer - probably a couple hundred needles all together and I just bought ten more last week. Most of them are Schmetz, but I also have Singer and Organ.

4. 
   sewelegant | Nov 08, 2009 05:50am | #4

   Surely some Janome owner will give you the right information, but have you looked in your owner's manual?  My new Bernina required a certain type of needle and I could no longer use the old Singer ones I had.  Apparently the shaft was too long and could damage the machine.  I have been using the Schmetz H series and have noticed it is very prominent so there must be a lot of machines using it.

5. 
   Betakin | Nov 10, 2009 12:58pm | #10

   Janome makes the Sears Kenmore machines and you can purchase bobbins and needles from in Sears stores or on line from their website that would fit the Janome. Sears also sells feet to fit the different Janome or Kenmore models and some are for the vertical front loading bobbn machines and some feet are for the horizontal top loading bobbin models that I believe is like your wife's. The feet for the top loading or horizontal bobbin  models are a bit wider to accomodate the wider 7 mm stitch.

6. 
   gailete | Nov 10, 2009 02:06pm | #11

   I have been sewing on a Janome of one type or another for over 30 years and I always use Schmetz needles which can be found at Joann Fabrics both in store and on line. It is nice to have a variety of sizes and styles on hand for whatever type of sewing she may be doing. You definitely need to use the right bobbin, though! You should be able to get those through your Janome dealer or online also. Most bobbin packages will say what machine brands they can be used for.

   So nice of you to be supportive and helpful in your wife's sewing!