Needle for stretch fabric: what the source actually supports.
Jersey, swimwear, and highly elastic knits behave differently from stable woven cloth. Use a documented family as a starting point, then check machine fit and test the actual fabric.
Stretch-needle reference
SCHMETZ product information reviewed October 19, 2026.
| Manufacturer family | System | Listed material | Published size entries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretch | 130/705 H-S | Elastic / highly elastic knits, including jersey and swimwear | NM 65/9 · 75/11 · 90/14 |
What this does not decide.
The published size list is not a personal selection for your fabric weight, seam construction, thread, speed, machine, or accessory. Follow your manual, use a fresh needle of the correct system, and test on a scrap. The manufacturer's description includes a feature intended to help prevent skipped stitches; that does not guarantee a result or diagnose an existing issue.
Hemming knits with a twin needle
From SCHMETZ twin-needle product pages and three machine manuals, checked October 20, 2026. Your manual’s limits come first.
- 1
Read the label
A twin needle is labeled with the gap between needles in mm, then the size: “2.5 / NM 75”. SCHMETZ’s Stretch Twin for knits comes in 2.5 / NM 75 and 4.0 / NM 75. Its Universal Twin runs from 1.6 / NM 70 to 4.0 / NM 100.
- 2
Check your machine’s limit first
SCHMETZ says you need a zigzag machine, and the needle plate and foot opening must be wide enough for the needle gap and stitch width. Manuals set their own limits: JUKI’s HZL-F manual allows a 2.0 mm twin needle only; Brother’s CS7000X manual says keep stitch width at 5.0 mm or less; Singer’s 4423 manual says use the middle needle position.
- 3
Turn on twin-needle mode
If your machine has a twin-needle button or setting, switch it on so the stitch width is limited and the needle cannot hit the plate. Then turn the handwheel slowly through one stitch to check the needles clear the foot and plate, as Brother’s CS7000X manual says.
- 4
Thread two spools
Take both threads through the guides together as if they were one, then put one through each needle eye. SCHMETZ says the automatic needle threader does not work with twin needles.
- 5
Test the tension on a scrap
Sew a few test stitches on the same knit. SCHMETZ says to adjust so the bobbin thread forms a slight zigzag on the back. Slow down over thick seams to avoid breaking the needle.
Twin-needle limits by model (33 manuals)
| Model | What the manual says |
|---|---|
| Brother XM2701 | Twin needle (2.0/75 needle), part code X57521-021 (optional accessory); stitch width not set above "2.5"; foot J. Use only twin needles made for this machine (X57521-021: 2.0/75 with a 2 mm width). Thread twin needle by hand; do not use needle threader (p. 27-28). Manual ↗ |
| Brother CS7000X | Twin needle (2/11 needle), part code X59296-121; width 5.0 mm (3/16 inch) or less; foot J. Turn machine into twin needle mode; twin needle and extra spool pin sold separately with some models; thread by hand, not with needle threader (p. 13-14). Manual ↗ |
| Brother SE600 | Twin needle (2/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot J. Set [Twin Needle] to [ON] in settings; never use the needle threader with the twin needle; twin needle included as accessory (*2 2/11 needle) (p. 52-53). Manual ↗ |
| Brother SE700 | Twin needle (2/11 needle); foot J. Set [Twin Needle] to [ON]; never use the needle threader with the twin needle (p. 56-57). Manual ↗ |
| Brother ST371HD | Twin needle (2.0/75 needle), part code X57521-021; stitch width not set above "2.5"; foot J. Listed in the accessories table; use only twin needles made for this machine (2.0/75 with a 2 mm width) (p. 29-30). Manual ↗ |
| Brother ST150HDH | Twin needle, part code X59296-121 (included accessory); foot J. Select the twin needle sewing setting; needle threader cannot be used with the twin needle (p. 24-25). Manual ↗ |
| Brother HC1850 | Twin needle, part code 131096-121; width 5.0 mm (3/16 inch) or less; foot J. Use only twin needles made for this machine; thread twin needle by hand, not with the needle threader (p. 32-33). Manual ↗ |
| Brother SQ9285 | Twin needle, part code 131096-121; width 5.0 mm (3/16 inch) or less; foot J. Use only twin needles made for this machine; thread twin needle by hand (p. 34-35). Manual ↗ |
| Singer HD 4452 | For twin needle stitching, set the needle position to center. Built-in needle threader cannot be used for twin needles (p. 16). Manual ↗ |
| Singer HD 4411 | For twin needle stitching, set the needle position to center (p. 16). Manual ↗ |
| Singer HD 4432 | For twin needle stitching, set the needle position to center. Built-in needle threader cannot be used for twin needles (p. 16). Manual ↗ |
| Singer Heavy Duty 44S | Twin needle (optional accessory, not supplied). For twin needle stitching, needle position is middle (Three Needle Position Dial) (p. 10, 26). Manual ↗ |
| Singer Stylist 7258 | SINGER Brand 3mm (Style 2025) Twin Needle (optional); stitch width at 3.5 or less. Needle threader cannot be used to thread the twin needle; use second spool pin (p. 41, 72). Manual ↗ |
| Singer Quantum Stylist 9960 | Singer Style 2025; foot General Purpose Foot or Satin Foot. Twin needle not provided. Press twin needle button; stitch width is reduced automatically. All patterns except No. 101-116. Threader cannot be used (p. 86). Manual ↗ |
| Singer M3220 | optional twin needle. Second Spool Pin supplied for sewing with an optional twin needle (p. 10). Manual ↗ |
| Janome 4120QDC | twin needle; foot Use zigzag foot A or satin stitch foot F for twin needle sewing.. Press the twin needle button; use the extra spool pin; use thin threads #60 or larger number; needle threader cannot be used for a twin needle (p. 48). Manual ↗ |
| Janome Skyline S5 | the twin needle supplied with the standard accessories (do not use other twin needles); width 3.0 mm; foot Use the zigzag foot A or satin stitch foot F for twin needle sewing.. Press the twin needle key; straight-stitch needle drop restricted to 3.0-6.0; use fine threads #60 or larger number; buttonholes, darning, eyelet and monogram cannot be selected; threader cannot be used with twin needle (p. 66-67). Manual ↗ |
| JUKI HZL-DX7 | twin needle with size of 2.0 mm (included needle: 2.0 mm); foot Standard presser foot (A); Manual buttonhole presser foot (I). Set twin needle sewing in Option; thread smaller than No. 60; automatic needle threader and thread trimmer cannot be used (p. 87-88). Manual ↗ |
| JUKI DX-4000QVP | twin needle with size of 2.0 mm (separately available); stitch width limited to 5 mm at the maximum; foot Standard presser foot (A); Manual buttonhole presser foot (I). Set the twin needle before selecting a pattern; thread smaller than No. 60; automatic threader and trimmer cannot be used (p. 114). Manual ↗ |
| BERNINA 335 | Universal Twin 130/705 H ZWI 70-100. The needle overview lists Universal Twin distances of 1.0/1.6/2.0/2.5/3.0/4.0/6.0/8.0, Stretch Twin 2.5/4.0, Hemstitch Twin 2.5 and Universal Triple 3.0. These are needle types, not a stated machine limit. Twin threading is on p.25 (p. 22, 25). Manual ↗ |
| BERNINA 435 | Universal Twin 130/705 H ZWI. The needle overview lists twin needle types and distances (e.g. Stretch Twin 2.5/4.0). The pintuck foot table pairs feet with 1.6 mm and 2.5 mm twin needles. Twin threading is on p.39 (p. 25-26, 39, 76). Manual ↗ |
| BERNINA 475 QE | Universal double 130/705 H ZWI 70-100. Overview also lists Stretch double 130/705 H-S ZWI 75 (distance 2.5/4.0) and Hemstitch double 130/705 H ZWIHO 100 (2.5). The pintuck table references a 1.6 mm twin needle (p. 26-27, 84). Manual ↗ |
| BERNINA 570 QE | Universal Twin Needle 130/705 H ZWI 70-100 (distances 1.0/1.6/2.0/2.5/3.0/4.0/6.0/8.0); foot Pintuck feet #30 (4 mm twin), #31 (3 mm), #32 (2 mm), #33 (1 or 1.6 mm), #46C (1.6–2.5 mm). Also lists Stretch Twin 130/705 H-S ZWI 75 (2.5/4.0), Hemstitch Twin ZWIHO 100 (2.5) and Universal Triple 130/705 H DRI 80 (3.0) (p. 28, 43, 93). Manual ↗ |
| bernette b38 | Twin Needle (1x included in needle assortment); foot Zigzag foot or Embroidery foot. Press the twin needle button; use the second spool pin; use thin thread #60 or larger number; the threader can't be used for a twin needle (p. 12, 21, 53). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Jazz II | 2.0/90, 3.0/90, 4.0/90, 5.0/90 (Needle Type column); foot All Purpose foot. Straight stitch only; stitch width dial must be set to 3.5 (center needle position). Needle threader cannot be used with twin needle (p. 31-32). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Jubilant | twin needle (2.0/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot zigzag foot "J". Select the twin needle mode (needle mode selection key); never use the needle threader with the twin needle (p. 49-50). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Soprano | twin needle (2.0/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot zigzag foot "J". Set twin needle mode ON in settings; needle threader cannot be used with the twin needle (p. B-23 to B-24). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Presto II | twin needle (2/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot zigzag foot "J". Turn on twin needle mode; needle threader cannot be used with the twin needle (p. B-22 to B-24). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Accord | twin needle (2/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot zigzag foot "J". Select the twin needle setting before sewing (p. B-27 to B-28). Manual ↗ |
| Baby Lock Vesta | twin needle (2/11 needle, part code: X59296-121); foot zigzag foot "J". Never use the needle threader with the twin needle (p. 77-78). Manual ↗ |
| PFAFF passport 2.0 | twin needle (symmetrical; asymmetrical twin needles must not be used). Threading for twin needle with auxiliary spool pin; may need to reduce stitch width depending on twin needle size (p. 12, 16). Manual ↗ |
| PFAFF creative 1.5 | twin needle (asymmetrical twin needles must not be used). Activate twin needle in settings menu and select twin needle width; stitch widths are then limited for that size (p. 19, 30). Manual ↗ |
| PFAFF ambition 1.0 | twin needle (asymmetrical twin needles must not be used). Twin needle program sets twin needle width and limits stitch width; cannot be combined with stitch width safety (p. 16, 24). Manual ↗ |
Exact-model checkers: Brother CS7000X twin-needle check · JUKI HZL-F300/F400/F600 twin-needle check
Stretch needle questions.
Is a ballpoint and a Stretch needle the same?
Do not treat product labels as interchangeable without the needle maker’s documentation. This page reports the SCHMETZ Stretch family as named on its product page; follow the intended-use statement and your machine manual.
Which size should I use for knit fabric?
Singer’s chart: ball point 10/70 or 12/80 for sheer to lightweight knits (jersey, single knit, spandex, tricot); 14/90 for medium to heavy knits (double knit, sweatshirt, sweater knit). Test on a scrap of the same knit.
Why does my machine skip stitches on jersey?
Skipped stitches can have multiple causes. Check needle installation and system against the machine manual, then follow its rethreading and troubleshooting steps. Stop if the needle contacts the plate or foot.
Sources.
- Singer: Choosing the right machine needles — knit rows of the fabric chart and the ball-point note on skipped stitches, checked October 20, 2026.
- SCHMETZ Stretch needle
- SCHMETZ Stretch Twin needle and Universal Twin needle — sizes, plate and foot opening, threading, tension test, threader warning.
- SCHMETZ Jeans Twin needle — the 4.0 needle sews seams 4 mm apart.
- JUKI HZL-F series manual, p. 84 — 2.0 mm twin needle.
- Brother CS7000X operation manual — twin-needle width 5.0 mm or less, handwheel clearance check.
- SINGER Heavy Duty 4423 manual, p. 26 — middle needle position for twin needles.
- SCHMETZ needle anatomy and size table
Starting sizes are printed as each maker gives them. They are a first needle to test, not proof that a needle fits your machine. Skipping stitches on knits? See needle and stitch problems.
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Cite this page
Sewing Machine Needle for Stretch Fabric. Needle Desk. https://needles.toolatlas.app/en-ca/needle-for-stretch-fabric. Last updated: 2026-10-23.