Sewing Machine Needle and Shank Information

Kimball and Morton 1902 Lion Figural Sewing Machine

Maggie Snell's 'Almost a 10' Sewing Machine

International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society

The purpose of the International Sewing Machine Collectors' Society is to foster the collecting of, and research into, sewing machines.

How to Set a Singer Needle
Comparative Table of Old & New Sizes of Needles
... Singer Needle Sizes ...
ISMACS Needle List
Sewing Machine Needles and their Equivalents
How to Orient a Sewing Machine Needle
Instructions and advice on identifying, orienting and testing replacement needles. Read in conjunction with the Needle Cross-reference Charts. Answers the question, "which way does my needle fit into my sewing machine?"
Interchangeable Needle List
Making Needles
Needles
An article on Sewing Machine Needle substitution from the 1889 Sewing Machine Gazette.
Needle Cross-Reference Charts
An exhaustive list of modern replacements for vintage needles with all the critical measurements necessary to identify currently available needles that may work in place of the originals. A fantastic resource comprising a detailed and cross-referenced guide to most of the needles still being produced.
Shank Identification
Various High Shanks
Various Low Shanks

ISMACS is an organization totally independent of all sewing-machine manufacturers, past or present and is not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in these pages. Please Note: Do not contact any ISMACS official in an attempt to solicit a valuation - it is not possible other than by hands-on assessment and your request will be ignored.

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