 All About Needles
Processes involved in making a needle
1. Wire is drawn down from 5's gauge steel rod. 
2. The wire is then straightened and cut to 2 needle
lengths.
3. Points are then formed on each end.
4. The impression of 2 eyes is stamped into the wire.
5. Holes are then punched through both impressions.
6. The wire is broken into 2 separate needles.
7. Waste metal from around the eye is removed-this is
known as cheeking.
8. The needles are then hardened.
9. To prevent brittleness, they are subsequently tempered.
10. The needles are scoured - this removes burrs from inside the eyes and polishes them.
11. The needles are finally nickel plated, inspected, and packaged.
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Click picture for a larger view.
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Bodkin
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These are generally used to thread ribbons, elastics and other tapes, and come in two different forms: flat and round.
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Chenille
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These needles are identical to tapestry needles except that they have a sharp point which will pass through coarse fabrics.
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Darners
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As the name suggests, these are used for darning work. Sizes 14-18 are known as yarn darners.
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Easy Threading
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Perfect for people who find it difficult to thread a needle, these are standard sewing needles where the top is cut to allow the thread to pass through it from above.
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Embroidery
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These needles have a longer eye which makes them ideal for threading stranded cotton. Apart from this, they are the same length and point as and ordinary sewing needle.
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Leather
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Used for leather work as the name suggests, these needles have triangular points which pass through tough materials without causing unnecessary abrasion. They are also suitable for use with suede and some plastics.
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Long Darners
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Another form of darning needle, the extra length and large eyes make these suitable for mending with wool.
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Milliners
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Although traditionally used in the millinery trade, they are now more commonly used for pleating and fancy decorative stitches. They are similar to an ordinary sewing needle except that they are longer.
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Quilting
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Specifically designed for quilters, the short length of these needles allows you to stitch far faster than when using an ordinary needle.
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Sharps
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These are general sewing needles used by dressmakers around the world. Sizes 16-18 are known as carpet sharps and, as the name suggests, are used in the design of carpets and rugs.
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Tapestry
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These large eye needles allow the user to thread tapestry wool or six-stranded cotton, whilst the blunt end enables the needle to pass through canvas without tearing it.
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