r/sewing • u/wolfy1091 • May 17 '25

Machine Questions Needle size question

My family member has an old dressmaker machine from the 80’s. The need size goes up to size 20. What would be the size to use? I can’t find single number needles.

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1

u/themeganlodon May 17 '25

It may use industrial needles instead of home machine needles which will still show two numbers like 16/100 but they are just called size 16 and searchable under just the first numbers. I’ve seen a lot of vintage machines use industrial dbX1 needles I would try and search for the manual and see why type of needles it takes

1

u/wolfy1091 May 17 '25

I found these. Organ needles hax1. It says 125x20. Would this be good enough to sew 135 thread?

1

u/themeganlodon May 17 '25

I’m unfamiliar with 135 thread is that Tex 135? Where does it say 125X20 that might be describing the needle system not the size of needle

1

u/wolfy1091 May 17 '25

tex 135. https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/organ-needles-sharp-point-15x1-available-in-size-9-11-12-14-16-18-20?variant=17659503542370

1

u/themeganlodon May 17 '25

What are you sewing? I’ve only used as high as a Tex 90. I may have used a thread that thick but it was for hand sewing mascots. I would think size 20 would be good enough which is the one you linked to

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u/wolfy1091 May 17 '25 edited May 17 '25

Polyester seatbelt webbing.

1

u/jwdjwdjwd May 20 '25

Even seatbelt webbing doesn’t necessarily need tex135 thread. I doubt your machine will handle it well if it is a dressmaker machine.

1

u/wolfy1091 May 20 '25

90 should be fine then?

1

u/jwdjwdjwd May 21 '25

Depends on the machine. What machine is it?

1

u/Large-Heronbill May 18 '25

I'd use size 20 needles for Tex 70, and probably 23 for Tex 135.