Kresent!

Health & Lifestyle

Types Of Needles(Sewing Machine Needle Sizes, Colors)

by Leave a Comment

Types Of Needles For Sewing Machine:

For beginners, how to identify sewing machine needles is a common question. There are various types of needles for various purposes, but the parts of a sewing machine needle differ in their construction. This post is an overview and check out more elaborated sewing needles codes definitions etc on types of needles for sewing machines.

Many people know that there are different types of thread depending on your project, but did you also know there are different sizes and types of needles. Different Types of Needles for Different Fabric. Regular Point Needle (Sharp): Universal Point Needle: Ball Point Needle: Embroidery Needles: Quilting Needles: Topstitching Needle: Wedge point Needle etc… Whether sewing by hand or machine, you will find that there are sewing needles for every task.

Here’s the anatomy of sewing machine needle to identify it better.parts of needle

    • Shank: The shank is the head of the needle that sits into your sewing machine socket. Set the flat side to the back.
    • Blade: The blade determines the needle size. We’ll look into needle sizes further in this post.
    • Shaft: The shaft is the body of the needle which has an eye at the end to run the thread through.
  • The point varies according to the type of the needle based on usage. 

Types of needles:

There are different types of needles for different types of materials. The needles differ in shape at the tip. Types of needles, how they work, what they are used for etc… You should select the types of needles based on the type of textile (i.e. knit vs. woven)

Selecting the correct needle for your project is just as important as selecting the fabric, thread, and stabilizer. The different sizes and types of needles are as follows.

Universal:

The point is slightly rounded. Very good for woven fabrics like cotton. It is sharp for knits and good for woven fabrics. 

Types Of Needles universal

Ballpoint:

This needle is good for knits. It is rounded point slightly such that the needle passes between the fabric threads rather than pierce them. Also suitable for heavy knits and spandex.

Types Of Needles ballpoint

Quilting:

It has a tapered point designed for thick layers and intersecting seams. This is the best choice for perfect machine quilting. Quilting Needles can also be used for piecing.

Types Of Needles

Sharp:

This needle has a sharp point and narrow shaft for piercing wovens. Suitable for finely woven fabric like chintz, silk, lightweight faux suede, and microfiber. Also great for heirloom sewing or any other type of topstitching.

Types Of Needles sharp

Leather:

The leather needles have a wedge-shaped point which is ideal for sewing leather, suede, vinyl, heavy faux suede, and thick non-woven fabric. This needle leaves permanent holes. Avoid backstitch so that the fabric doesn’t get perforated. Instead, tie the thread ends. Not for use with knits.

Types Of Needles - leather

Denim:

Denim Needles have a sharp point and strong shaft. These needles can stitch through many layers without breaking. Use on heavy, tightly woven fabric, like denim, canvas, and duck.

Types Of Needles denim

Topstitching:

It has an extra large eye, large groove, and sharp point for heavy decorative threads, embroidery thread, or 2even two strands of all-purpose thread.

Stretch:

These needles are for lightweight knits such as Silk Jersey, Lycra, or anything with high elasticity. For these fabrics a ballpoint needle may skip stitches, so switch to stretch needle.

Types Of Needles - stretch

Serger:

These are specifically designed for Overlock machines. It has sharp point and used on all fabrics.

Embroidery:

These are needles for machine embroidery, when sewn with Rayon, Acrylic, or speciality threads.

Metallic:

It has an extra large eye, large groove scarf, and sharp point which goes well with monofilament and metallic thread. This needle must be used when sewing metallic thread.

Wing:

It has flared ‘wings’ on each side of the shaft. Used for heirloom and decorative stitches on Batiste and linen.

Twin:

It has a single shaft connecting two needles. This needle is used when the sewer wants perfectly parallel stitches. Usually seen on jeans and decorative stitching.

Triple:

This needle only comes as a universal needle. Just like the Twin needle, the Triple needle has a single shaft connecting three needles. The machine must be Triple needle capable.

Spring:

This needle is most commonly used for free motion sewing, embroidery, and monogramming. the wire coiled shaft acts as a presser foot to depress and release the fabric. Only available in universal, stretch, and quilting.

Sewing Machine Needle Sizes:

After you’ve identified the sewing machine needle, what puzzles you are, are sewing machine needles universal. Well, No! there are different sizes and colours for different materials to sew.

What size sewing machine needle for cotton/ satin is a question after you’ve ruined your lightweight satin by stitching it with a wrong sewing needle. For example, a size 75 needle has a blade that is .75 mm in diameter.

Here’s a table with the fabric types with suitable needle types and sizes. The fabric types include cotton, linen, silk, wool, synthetic, rayon, blends and listed in the order of weight.

Fabric Type Machine Needle Type Machine Needle Size
Sheer to lightweight: Batiste, Chiffon, Georgette, Organza, Voile and all microfiber or micro denier fabrics. Regular Point 9/70 or 11/80
Lightweight: Challis, Chambray, Charmeuse, Crepe de Chine, Gauze, Handkerchief Linen, Silk, Taffeta, Tissue Faille. Regular Point 11/80
Medium-weight: Broadcloth, Brocade, Chino, Chintz, Corduroy, Flannel, Linen, Poplin, Satin, Synthetic Suedes, Taffeta, Terry, Velvet Regular Point 14/90
Medium to Heavy-weight: Coating, Damask, Drapery Fabric, Fake Fur, Gabardine, Ticking, Woolens Regular Point 16/100 or 18/110
Denim and Canvas Denim/Jeans 16/100
Sheer to Lightweight Knits: Jersey, Single Knit, Spandex, Tricot Ball Point 10/70 or 12/80
Medium to Heavy-weight Knits: Double Knit, Sweatshirt, Sweater Knit Ball Point 14/90
Speciality Fabrics: Leather, Suede, Buckskin Wedge Point 14/90 or 16/100

90/14 – Mid-heavy fabrics, like Corduroy, raw Silks, bottom weight fabric.

100/16 – Heavy fabrics, like Denim and Duck Cloth.

110/18 –  For Very Heavy Fabric, like Canvas or tapestry.

120/19 – Heaviest Fabrics, like luggage handles and boat canvas.

Sewing Machine Needles Color Codes:

And what do the colors on sewing machine needles mean? Here’s a picture with details of sewing machine needles color codes.

types of needles- color codes

Singer Number And Color Codes

Singer colors and numbers its needles with the following system of codes to indicate the needlepoint type and shaft size:

Code And Shank Color Needle Point Type
2000 – uncolored a chromium-coated regular point, for high-speed embroidery stitching
2020 – red a regular point, for woven fabrics (most common Singer needle type)
2022, 2053, 2054 – uncolored overlock needles, only for overlocking machines
2044 – uncolored embroidery needle
2045 – yellow ballpoint, for knits
2026 – blue a heavy-duty point, for denims
2032 – brown chisel or wedge point, for leathers
2025 – uncolored twin needles
2040 – uncolored hemstitch or wing-needle, for “heirloom” or decorative sewing, best on woven cottons and linens
Shoulder color Shaft size
green 9
orange 11
blue 14
purple 16
gray 18

Kenmore color codes

Kenmore colors its needles with a different system of color codes which indicate the needle’s size:

Shank color Shaft size Shaft size (Europe)
blue 11 75
orange 12 80
red 14 90
purple 16 100
green 18 110

Schmetz color codes

The colored band on some types of Schmetz needles indicates the needle type.[2]

Shank color Type
yellow Stretch
blue Jeans
green Quilting
red Embroidery
purple Microtex (sharp)

The types of needles are varied in the shape of the point for different materials and the shaft that fits into the required type of sewing machine.

How To Set Fitness Goals: Stop Fancying-Try 3 Step Sensible Goals

by Leave a Comment

Know Yourself And Set Sensible Fitness Goals:

Here’s how to set fitness goals using SMART technique and Cost-benefit analysis.

It is important to know yourself and set realistic fitness goals. By realistic fitness goals, I mean set goals that are required to you for a healthy life. This avoids a lack of action or inspiration caused by the unhealthy influences from various sources like social media, owning others’ goals.

The interest of getting fit and breaking fitness barriers has increased these days. Many have become health conscious which is a good sign.

Social Media Fitness Influence:

Social media influence has both advantages and disadvantages when it comes to influencing fitness goals.

Setting fitness goals on the influence of social media fitness or celebrities lifestyle and owning their goals will be a disaster.

To set sensible fitness goals you must know the type of your body, what exercises suit you etc with thorough introspection and mindfulness.

How to set fitness goals?

Ask yourself whether the set plan is a well-designed health goal for you or check is it a goal inspired from others’ goals.

It is not bad to get influenced by social media, but it is recommended to check if it suits you for better results. Here’s how to set fitness goals by SMART goals for fitness:

1. SMART goals for fitness:

SMART  is basically the acronym of Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely. So, you measure your goals on the scale of how SMART the goal is accessible and its results can be achieved.

Be specific at what you want and plan a relevant goal such that its progress is measurable and attainable in a given time frame.

You can’t just go about spending a lot of money on a personal trainer or at a gym.

2. Check Sustainability:

Do a cost-benefit analysis too for your fitness regime. Some programmes are excessively expensive in all standards. It can sometimes be too long and unworthy for the requirement.

  • Check your sustainability for the food and lifestyle changes that are in the programme.
  • Is the activity more prone to injuries, which may add to your hospital bills?
  • Mostly any athlete fitness goals are an impossible reality. Select your goals relevantly and get results better.

3. Don’t Rush – Respect the process:

Don’t just blindly follow the process. Measure and make sure you take care that the process serves the purpose. If you just follow the programme it may sometimes cause more harm than good.

For example:

  • If you’ve got a weak upper body, you start your process with simple pushups and build required strength for further processes. Do not jump to lifting heavy weights as you start.
  • Participating in a Marathon? Then, it is common sense to build your capacity and longevity to cover the mileage with standard training. Do not challenge yourself directly at the event.

Fitness is a process, each person has their own limitations and is not overcome by a single action. Get into the process and enjoy it experiencing the change.

Realistic Fitness Goals Checklist:

Run, lift, cycle, jump, dance do anything you want.

  • Make sure you use your body, fully into the process mindfully.
  • Push the boundaries sensibly.
  • Make sure you sustain the change for the long run.
  • Each term goal must add to your physical, mental and emotional health.

Also, power up yourself and apply your strengths where needed. It is important to know the difference between strength and power to use them properly.

Strength is an absolute requirement for health because basic movements need strength. Power is a skill-related fitness parameter those involved in a sprint or jump or an explosive movement require power.

You have to develop your strength before you can develop power. If two individuals do push-ups and end up doing the same number, both are strong, but the one who takes less time to complete is powerful. To hold the racquet requires strength, but to hit the ball requires power. To carry the shot requires strength, but to putt it requires power.

Take Away:

Any realistic fitness goal set should add value by having a better change in your life with sustenance, but not as just a short-term fancying.

Saree Blouse Design (Full Sleeve Blouse With Back Knot)

by Leave a Comment

Full Sleeve Blouse | Saree Blouse Design:

If you are searching for ‘blouse stitching near me’ for a fancy and trending full sleeve blouse design. Well! here I’m to take you through how I happened to stitch this saree blouse design as a trendy full sleeve blouse and back knot to make your choice. And you can check my previous trendy work wear saree blouse style.

Saree is now a trendy option and not just Indian traditional wear, with these very trendy blouse designs such as a full sleeve blouse for every occasion. This is a good looking Full Sleeve Blouse Designs to the front and back designs of all time.

A saree blouse style takes more effort than choosing the saree.

Having a lot of sarees doesn’t serve the purpose unless there is a perfect saree blouse-style for it. Of course, the saree is important too, but blouse-style can actually change the look of saree outfit, be it an office look, traditional wedding look or even a party look. Full sleeve blouse, when worn in the right way, can accentuate your beauty and elegance.

Full Sleeve Blouse:

Here’s the floral print full sleeve blouse for this green paper silk saree. The sleeves of your blouse can play a major role in transforming your saree look. So today, we have picked different full sleeve blouse.

Full Sleeve Blouse - Saree blouse design

Back Knot Blouse:

There are a plenty saree blouse-styles available on the internet for anyone to select from. But this has been an inspired idea of mine from many on the internet. Elegant full sleeve blouse design.

saree blouse design - blouse back side neck

Saree blouse styles have varied designs to have the saree look as per occasion you want. V-neck, square neck and round neck designs maybe basic, also tassels and butta work make it exquisite and elegant.

Sometimes a simple blouse back side design with a knot in the back like in this case gives a trendy look.

Saree Blouse Style | Full Sleeve Blouse:

saree blouse design

Accessories and jewelry you wear, hairstyles to show off lovely back neck design, embellishments for this full sleeve blouse matters for the look of the outfit.

Here, I didn’t use any for this full sleeve blouse.

But any black metal jewellery with a glossy or matte look from any of online stores like Amazon, would finish up the look.

Yoga For Stiff Back (Yoga Poses For Lower Back Pain)

by Leave a Comment

Yoga For Stiff Back To Relieve Lower Back Pain

In our busy lives of working in front of a computer for hours and hours has made our mobility rigid. Here are 4 yoga for stiff back poses that relieves tension from the lower back and also help maintain good posture.

Along with pranayama for stress, you can also follow the healthy lifestyle tips and yoga for stress. Sometimes bad posture also causes stress, know the importance of good posture and start working on good posture. And too much stress may lead to headaches and migraines, check out yoga for migraine to get rid of headaches.

Back pain has become a widespread concern with many of us refusing to exercise, dance or hike because we feel our backs are too delicate. Regular practice of the following yoga for stiff back relaxes the muscles of the lower back, removing stiffness and pain. When the body is free from pain, the self-imposed limitations of the mind also break leaving you free to explore new horizons.

Back Pain Causes:

Back problems brought on by gardening activity are the most common reason for missed days of work. The pain can even force some people to give up work entirely.

But physical labor doesn’t have to be tough on the back. Proper lifting and carrying techniques can protect the back muscles, according to a professional German gardening group. It’s also important for muscles, especially those deep in the back along the spine, to be trained properly.

Most problems stem from a lack of training of the back, abdominal and leg muscles. Many others aren’t physical problems, but psychosomatic. In only about 5 percent of all cases are the discs of the back the real source of the pain.

It’s important not to underestimate the mental component. Lack of recognition, problems at work, stress or existential problems can all cause back problems just as easily as lifting and carrying heavy objects, or standing for long stretches of time, reports the group in its recent publication LSV Kompakt. Here is the yoga to strengthen back.

Regular movement is helpful. Bicycling, jogging, walking, and the backstroke are also good activities for fighting back pain. The right workout will relax the back musculature, reports the magazine. Many insurers also cover the cost of courses to help people learn to fight back pain.

Yoga For Stiff Back | Relieve Lower Back Pain

1. Matsyasana(Supported Fish Pose):

This yoga for stiff back decompresses and releases tension in the lower back. Expands chest area increasing the breathing capacity of the lungs.

yoga for stiff back

Matsyasana Steps:

To beginners:

Take a few cushions and bolsters for support. Place them one behind the spine and one under the knees.

  1. Lie down on your back, with spine and back of the head resting on a bolster and hips rest on the floor.
  2. Stretch the legs forward and keep them together extending toes outwards. Relax the shoulders and facial muscles.
  3. Lift your arms and stretch backwards and raise the waist stretching the spine and armpits.
  4. Stay in this pose for 25 deep breaths.

Release the pose by lowering the waist, then bend the knees towards the chest and sit up.

Precaution:

People with a Migraine, insomnia and high or low blood pressure should avoid doing the Fish Pose. Also, people with lower-back or neck injuries should not practice this pose.

2. Supta Baddha Konasana (Reclined bound angle pose):

This pose opens up the hips, inner thighs and groin and release tension and stress in there. This is an asana for the whole body.

It stimulates the abdominal organs, ovaries and kidneys and also stimulates heart and improves circulation.

yoga for stiff back

Supta Baddha Konasana Steps:

  • Start with Dandasana, with your legs extended in front of you and bend your knees with soles touching each other towards your pelvis.
  • Lean backward with support on elbows to the floor.
  • Gently adjust your buttocks and spine along the floor maintaining the natural curve of the lower back.
  • Let your arms relax with your palms facing up.
  • Release the pose drawing your knees together and roll to your right side and rise with hands pressing yourself to the seated position.

Precautions:

If you have a groin, knee, lower back, shoulder, or hip injury and pregnant women should avoid this pose.

3. Padahastasana (Forward Bend):

This yoga for stiff back relieves stress and tension from the whole torso.

Padahastasana Steps:

yoga for stiff back
  1. Stand with your legs hip distance apart and both hands on your waist.
  2. Inhale; elongate the spine and exhale as you bend forward from hips.
  3. Inhale; extend the spine little more if you can.
  4. Exhale; open the palms and touch the ground beside the foot. (Bend the knees a little to make yourself comfortable)
  5. Or open the palms towards the ceiling and turn the fingers towards the toes and slide under the foot up to just below the wrist.
  6. Inhale; lengthen the spine and exhale; press the toes on the palms, coming more forward.
  7. Stay in this pose for 5-8 breaths.

4. Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose)

The Parivrtta Trikonasana or revolved triangle pose is good for a really good stretch. Hold it for about five breaths if you’re doing it before a workout and for about eight after. You can do it anywhere from one to three 1-3 times on each side.

This pose stretches the legs, hips, and spine, thereby strengthening them. It opens the chest and improves breathing, improves balance and relieves lower back pain and also stimulates the abdominal organs.

Yoga For Stiff Back - Parivrtta Trikonasana (Revolved Triangle Pose)

Parivrtta Trikonasana Steps:

  1. Inhale; separate the feet, 4 feet apart. Place hands on the waist. Open the right foot 90 degrees and turn the left foot 45 to 60 degrees in towards the right. Align the right and left ankle. Firm the thighs and make sure that the right kneecap is in line with the center of the right ankle (the knee should not be bent forwards.
  2. Exhale; turn your torso and hips to the right. Firm the left thigh and ground the left heel.
  3. Inhale; raise the left arm up stretching and lengthening the left side of the waist.
  4. Exhale; extend the torso forward over the right leg. Extend your left hand down, either to the floor (inside or outside of the foot). If you are not able to, place a block near your foot (inside or outside) and put your palm on the block. Now begin to rotate your torso to the right opening up the chest and rolling the shoulders back, raising the right arm up towards the ceiling.
  5. If you are beginner, keep the neck in a neutral position, facing the floor or the wall. If you are intermediate student then turn the neck to look towards the right thumb.
  6. Hold the pose for 5-8 breaths, breathing normally. Then repeat on the other side.

Release the pose with inhalation, lifting the head up and release the palms and exhale lift the torso up slowly and place the palms on the waist.

5. Yoga Mudrasana (Union Pose):

This yoga for stiff back stretches the lower back effectively and helps relax the back muscles.

Yoga for stiff back

Yoga Mudrasana Steps:

You will need a yoga mat or towel, a flat cushion and a rolled-up towel. This is best done first thing in the morning and just before going to bed.

  1. Sit cross-legged on the mat.
  2. If your body feels stiff, sit on a cushion so that you have some back support.
  3. Place the rolled-up towel in front of you.
  4. Push your shoulders back and bring your chin parallel to the floor.
  5. Clasp your right wrist with your left hand behind your back.
  6. Exhale, keep your spine straight and move forward to place your forehead on the towel.
  7. Move slowly. Go to the limit your body is letting you right now.

Hold the pose for 10 breaths.

6. Ardha Mastyendrasana:

This yoga for stiff back pose stretches your hips, shoulders, neck. On regular practice, it strengthens your spine, digestive system, urinary system.

yoga for students

Ardha Mastyendrasana Steps:

  1. Sit comfortably erect with your legs stretched out.
  2. Now, bend your left leg such that the heel of the left foot lies next to the right hip. You could also keep the left leg stretched out if you like.
  3. Then, place the right leg next to the left knee by taking it over the knee.
  4. Twist your torso, neck, and shoulders towards the right, and set your gaze over your right shoulder. Make sure your spine is comfortably erect.
  5. There are many ways you can place your arms to increase and decrease the stretch. But to do it simply, you can place the right hand behind you, and the left hand on the right knee.
  6. Hold the pose for a few seconds, about 30 to 60 as you breathe slowly, yet deeply.
  7. Exhale and release the right hand, and then the waist, chest, and finally the neck. Relax as you sit straight.
  8. Repeat the steps on the other side, and then exhale and come back to the front.

If your lower back is too stiff, move forward and come back up as you exhale and inhale respectively, at least seven times.

Sometimes the poor choice of furniture for people who spend long hours without distraction before a monitor or TV cause back problems. That means seats need to align with a person’s upper thighs and that the height of the seat can be adjusted. The seat also must be wide enough and the back needs to be adjustable and up to shoulder height.

Built-in back or lumbar supports help. But, beyond buying the right furniture, more activity is always a good idea to rid oneself of back pain or prevent it in the first place.

Yoga For Shoulders (Shoulder Stretches With Balasana Variations)

by 2 Comments

Yoga For Shoulders With Balasana Variations:

This gentle shoulder blade stretches through balasana and its variations are the best yoga for shoulders. Balasana relieves tension from the tight shoulders. This also helps reduce stress in shoulders and maintain good posture as the importance of good posture also aids for relaxed shoulders.

Balasana(Child Pose):

Balasana, the child pose, heals the body and mind. You can calm your mind and shift the focus to breathing. It relaxes the spine and hips and gently stretches the shoulder blades.

Balasana Steps:

yoga for shoulders

  1. Sit down on your knees and join the thighs, knees, big toes with hips on the heels left distant comfortably.
  2. Place your palms on the floor and move the knees wide. (If your hips are not touching the heels place a bolster under the feet)
  3. Inhale; raise your arms stretching the spine.
  4. Exhale; bend your torso forward and rest it on the floor between the knees. Keep your palms one above the other and place on the floor above your head stretching hands fully. (If you’re not comfortably resting on to the floor place a bolster in between the knees)
  5. Breath deeply for 1-2 minutes in this position. Make sure you’re not forcing the pose.

Release the pose with an inhalation raising the arms up and as you exhale lower the arms and release the pose.

Balasana(Child Pose) Variation 1:

This variation of balasana gives you an intense stretch, unlike a gentle stretch of the usual balasana. This posture helps to maintain the natural curve of the spine.

Balasana(Child Pose) Variation 1 Steps:

  1. Get on to your knees and legs separated hip distance apart.
  2. Now take the palms forward, resting the elbow on the floor at a comfortable distance from knees. (You can use a cushion to rest the elbows)
  3. Raise the palms back to ceiling in a namaste position.
  4. Keep the hips raised up toward the ceiling and your toes touching the floor.
  5. Now lower your head between the forearms and let the hips sink back as far as you get the full comfortable stretch of the shoulders.
  6. Stay in this pose and breath deeply for 30-60 seconds.

Balasana(Child Pose) Variation 2:

This pose opens your shoulders very deeply.

Balasana(Child Pose) Variation 2 Steps:

yoga for shoulders

  1. Get on to a table position with knees hip distance apart and palms shoulder distance apart.
  2. Inhale; raise the right arm forward to the ceiling and exhale; take the right arm under the left arm placing the right shoulder and cheeks on the mat.
  3. Take the left arm forward as much so the shoulder stretches enough comfortably.
  4. Stay in this position and breath deeply for 30-60 seconds and repeat the same on another side.

Take Away:

This yoga for shoulders is one of the best ways of relaxing tight shoulders. Balasana helps not just to relax shoulders blades but also heal both the body and the mind.