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Where to buy Imagine Wave needles?

blondielou | Posted in General Discussion on

This is the first time I have owned a serger that takes Schmetz needles.  The needles that came wth the serger are Schmetz System HAx1 SP 75-11 and 90-14.

What does “System” mean?

 

What does “HA” mean?

 

I tried to buy Schmetz needles on Ebay but they were not “HA” and the guy said that they would not work with Babylock Imagine Wave and were “industrial”.

 

I would like to find a good inexpensive bulk source for these needles.  Any suggestions of where and how to approach?

 

Thanks!

Laura

Replies

  1. Crazy K | | #1

    Check http://www.nancy'snotions.com  or http://www.Clotilde.com or http://www.atlantathread.com  and look for serger needles.  If you have either a Hancock or Joanne store in your area, they could have them in stock as well.........or try them online.  I have an Evolve (one year before the wave) and I get my needles from a dealer across town.  When I get them, I get a few so I don't have to run back right away.

    I'm sure one of the above places will have them for you.  Perhaps you could check on the Babylock website and search for a 'dealer near you'.......some places will even send them out if you are too far to make the drive.

    Happy serging!  BTW.........I have other sergers and my Elna which I use the most takes regular sewing needles.  Just make sure you go by the number listed.  You can put in universal Schmetz but you don't get good stitch quality..........I checked that out and found it to be so.

    Kay

     

  2. jjgg | | #2

    The "H" stands for "Home" (vs. industrial). 75-11, 90-14 is the size of the needle (the 75-11 is smaller than the 90-14)the 75 and 90 are actually one numbering system, but you know they have to make it very confusing and put in two different numbering systems, so the 11 and 14 are just the other system- think of it sort of as metric vs inches)0

    I looked up the Schmetz web site and couldn't find HA and I don't know what the SP is unless it's "special"

    My serger take the EL schmetz needles, they are very specific for a serger that does a cover hem, That needle has a scarf on both sides so it will catch the chain looper thread during the cover stitch.

    Did you read the manual that came with the serger? it should tell you what needle to use.

  3. Lilith1951 | | #3

    I have the Babylock Imagine Wave, and I just purchased it in Dec, so I haven't had to replace a needle yet (haven't had a lot of time for sewing lately.)  But I was told that the Schmetz needles used for this machine are REGULAR sewing needles, and not serger needles.  I can't address the model numbers, but I figured it wouldn't be hard to find these in any place that sells Schmetz needles.

     

     

     

    1. Crazy K | | #4

      Maybe the Imagine is different........I have the Evolve 8 thread machine and I have to use Schmetz or Organ ELX705CF (size 90/14) or for knits an 80/12 ELX705 which is a semi-ballpoint (universal)

      I have tried using regular Schmetz 90/14 or 80/12 needles and found the stitch quality to suffer. 

      My Elna uses regular needles but the Janome Compu-lock requires serger needles and I cannot install regular ones.......the needle shank is just a bit different.  I also have a small Janome that I'm sure I've used regular needles in............gets complicated, doesn't it??

      Kay

      1. blondielou | | #11

        Kay,

         

        Is the needles you use for your Evolve what they say to use in the serger?  Or dd you experiment and get to those needles?

         

        Laura

        1. Crazy K | | #12

          The ones I use are the one recommended in the book that came with the machine.  I did talk to the lady at one of the local dealerships where I got my machine and she said the regular sewing machine needles will not harm the machine but the stitch quality suffers.  Being the curious person that I am, I did try and she was right.  Maybe for regular 3 or 4 thread overlock stitch it wouldn't be so bad but the coverstitch had skipped stitches with the regular needles. 

          Nancy's Notions carries serger needles and I'm sure other online as well.  The local Husq. dealership with the Joanne Store here carries Klasse and has serger needles that I got for my fussy Janome Compulock and they had numbers that fit other machines as well..........might be worth a try.

          Happy Sewing!

          Kay

          1. Betakin | | #13

            The Schmetz ELX705 needles are the recommended needles for cover hem to help prevent skipped stitches. It has the special scarf, as someone already posted.

            Organ brand also makes a similar needle that prevents skipped stitches and can be used for coverhem machines.

            Serger brands differ in which needle system they take, there are many types of serger needles. In older sergers this industrial type of needle had a round shank and there was a little line on the front of needle, hard to see and hard to insert in the sergers, not knowing if you got them in right.

            Some needles are too long and you can damage a looper and some household type needles don't stand up to the high speeds of sergers and they break so it is always best to use the needle that your manual states to use for your model.

            My coverlock uses EL X 705 sizes 80/12 and 90/14 but can use conventional sewing machine needles 130/705H for special threads and fabrics. One of my other brand sergers which is only a basic 4 thread also came with the EL X 705 needles while another brand serger I had came with regular sewing machine needles. So..best to go by the type suggested in your manual for your model serger.

            Edited 4/11/2008 2:57 am ET by Betakin

    2. Pattiann42 | | #6

      I bought my Imagine last summer and it also uses regular sewing machine needles.

      If anyone is interested, here is a chart for Schmetz:  http://www.schmetzneedles.com/Schmetz_Sales_Guide.pdf

    3. Crazy K | | #7

      All this discussion back and forth piqued my interest sooooo I went to the Babylock website and see why the difference between what others are saying and what my booklet says.............my machine does a cover stitch!  I understand they are a bit fussier with regard to needles.  The Janome Compulock that is also fussy, does a coverstitch as well.  Gee.....maybe I learned something today!

      I love my machine .....a lot!  Unfortunately I haven't had the time or patience to really play with all those threads and use it to its potential.  It is set for the coverstitch and stays there most of the time.  I have other sergers for other jobs.  Someday.........someway, I will have time to really get into some fancy decorative stitching with it.  Ha!

      Thanks for giving me an opportunity to learn something!!

      Kay

      1. Lilith1951 | | #8

        I know what you mean, for sure.  I have had my machine since early December and haven't even tried the Wave stitch.  How silly is that?  I have a bunch of flannel receiving blankets that I want to finish that way and I need to check it out and go buy some nice thread that at least has several colors in it so you can really notice the wave stitiching.

  4. Palady | | #5

    Unsure of your location.

    Neverette's - Nashua, NH is an excellent shop.  The staff is skilled and very supportive.   I'm a very satisfied customer having had machine serviced there as well as purchases such as needles or presser feet.

    There's an e-mail link if you choose to check there with your question.

    http://www.neveretts.com/

    :-) 's

     

     

     

  5. Sancin | | #9

    I found Organ needles to have needles in bulk, but have not purchased any since I met a dealer at a sewing expo. The following is a chart on needle sizes and types that I have in my files which I hope will down load or attach to this message. I am sorry but I can't recall where I got it.

  6. Betakin | | #10

    There are several on line dealers besides local dealers that sell needles in bulk.  Allbrands has the  Organ HA x1sp (same as 15x1sp) needles for a box of 100 for about $29.99. They also sell another Organ needle that is a ball point needle and is comparable to the El x 705 (recommended for Cover hem) for the same price where they sell the Schmetz EL x 705 for more at $59.99 for a box of 100.

     

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