Top Needle Brands: The Ultimate Sewing Companions!

Selecting the right needle is crucial for any sewing or crafting project, and the market is flooded with various brands claiming to be the best. Among the top contenders are Schmetz, renowned for their durability and variety, and Organ, which offers excellent compatibility across different sewing machines. Singer needles are also a favorite for their consistent quality, especially among home sewing enthusiasts. For a detailed comparison of these trusted brands and more, be sure to explore the comprehensive list and analysis below.

Illustration of needle

Best brands of needle in 2025

Clover

Clover MFG. CO., LTD., founded in October 1925, is renowned for producing high-quality sewing needles, particularly the Black Gold series, which are manufactured using a non-traditional vertical polishing process and unique coating materials, ensuring ultimate performance with strong, sharp, and smooth needles. Clover's commitment to quality control and a wide range of needle styles makes it a preferred choice among sewing enthusiasts. The company has consistently maintained high standards since its incorporation in March 1947. Clover's products, such as the Black Gold Needles for quilting and applique, are designed for precise and durable use. With a capital of 100 million yen and multiple sales offices, Clover continues to excel in the sewing and craft industry.

John James

John James, a trading name of Entaco, is renowned for its exceptional quality and reliability in needle manufacture, with a heritage dating back to 1840 and formal registration in 1902. The brand is synonymous with the finest quality needles, recognized globally by needle crafters. Based in Redditch, Worcestershire, known as the Needle Capital of the World, John James has a rich history that includes the merger of notable needlemakers like Milward and Hall in 1930. The company is proud of its long-standing commitment to quality, with many staff members having over 30 years of experience. John James offers a comprehensive range of hand sewing and machine needles, including specialized needles like sail making and quilting needles. For more information, visit their official website.

Bohin

Bohin, a renowned brand in the needle industry, has been perpetuating the tradition of pinmaking and needlemaking in France for over 190 years, with its factory located in Saint-Sulpice-sur-Risle, Normandy. The company is celebrated for its exceptional craftsmanship, involving a 27-step production process that takes two months to complete. Bohin needles are highly regarded for their exceptional polish, fine points, and unique eye polishing, which minimize thread breakage and ensure maximum strength with minimal bending. The brand's commitment to quality has earned it the "Qualite Tourisme Label" and the "Living Heritage Company" designation. Visitors to the Bohin workshops can witness the birth of sewing needles, safety pins, and other products in a contemporary museum setting. For more details, explore the Bohin workshop experience.

Tulip

Tulip, a renowned brand in the needle industry, has been producing high-quality needles since 1955, when Harada Needle Manufacture acquired the Turkish brand name. The company, now known as Tulip, relocated its production to Kake in 1965 and achieved Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) certification four years later, ensuring stringent quality control. Tulip's Kake factory produces around 10,000 needles daily, each undergoing approximately 30 processes from steel wire to finished product. Known for their easy threading, sharp points, and smooth polishing, Tulip needles are favored by needleworkers worldwide. Today, the company innovates in precision needles, with wire probes accounting for about half of their revenue. For more information on their production process, visit their FAQ page.

DMC

DMC, founded in 1746 in Mulhouse, France, is a leading global needlecraft company renowned for its high-quality embroidery threads. The company has been producing threads in the same factory since 1898, and its iconic stranded embroidery thread, Mouline Special, is available in over 500 colors. DMC threads are known for their colorfast quality and unique shine, thanks to the mercerization technique introduced by Emile Dollfus. The company is part of the DMC Group, which includes other notable brands like Rowan, Sirdar, and Wool and the Gang. DMC's threads are a standard color reference in embroidery patterns and fashion houses worldwide. For more information about the company's rich heritage and product offerings, visit their official website.

Pony

Pony is a renowned brand in the needle industry, known for its high-quality hand sewing needles, knitting needles, and accessories. Established in 1949 as a subsidiary of a British manufacturer, Pony has evolved into a global leader, with 70% of its turnover coming from exports. The company is SA 8000 certified, reflecting its commitment to social responsibility and ethical workplace standards. Pony's products are manufactured with specialized machines and undergo rigorous quality checks to ensure compliance with strict standards. The brand is particularly appreciated for its fine embroidery needles, including rare sizes like #11 and #12. For more information, visit the Pony Needle Industries' website.

Schmetz

Schmetz is renowned as one of the finest sewing machine needle manufacturers globally, founded in 1851 and boasting a rich history of over 170 years. The company generates a significant turnover, with 29.1 million euros in 2021, and employs around 476 people worldwide. Schmetz offers a wide range of high-quality needles for both industrial and household sewing machines, ensuring smooth and even stitches. Their products are available through a tight worldwide dealer network, including sales affiliates in the USA, India, and Singapore. Schmetz's commitment to research and development has led to pioneering roles in needle standardization and the creation of various needle types for complex sewing processes. For more information, visit the Schmetz Needles website.

Singer

Singer, a renowned brand in the sewing industry, has a rich history of producing high-quality sewing machines and accessories, including needles. Established in 1851 by Isaac M. Singer, the company quickly became a global leader, producing over 2 million sewing machines by 1876 and employing nearly 7,000 workers at its Clydebank factory. During World War II, Singer shifted its production to support the war effort, manufacturing components like M1911A1 pistols and M5 Antiaircraft Directors. The company's iconic Model 221 Featherweight, introduced in 1933, was highly successful, with 1.75 million units sold before production ended in 1957. Despite facing challenges in the 1960s, Singer continued to innovate, transitioning from cast iron to aluminium machines to stay competitive. For more detailed information, explore the history of Singer sewing machines.

Organ

Organ brand, established in Japan since 1936, is renowned for producing high-quality sewing machine needles, catering to both domestic and industrial machines. Their needles are designed to meet the demands of modern sewing technologies, with a range that includes small diameter size 65/9 for detail work to large diameter size 90/12 for tough fabrics. Organ Needle Europe GmbH, formed in 2009, ensures a dense network of representations for quick and reliable supply. The company's commitment to quality and customer service has made it a trusted name in the sewing industry. With over 87 years of experience, Organ continues to innovate and expand its product line.

Sullivans

Sullivans is renowned as one of the best producers of high-quality needles, particularly their Chenille Needles, which are made from premium-quality steel and feature a sharp tip and an oval eye, ideal for Chenille, Crewel, and Wool embroidery. The needles are designed to glide through canvas or fabric without piercing or snagging, making them a staple for embroidery projects. The sizing of the needles corresponds to the size of the eye and the thickness of the needle, with larger numbers indicating smaller eyes and thinner needles. Sullivans' commitment to quality ensures that their needles are reliable and efficient tools for crafters. With a focus on wholesale manufacture and distribution, Sullivans has established itself as a trusted brand in the haberdashery and craft industry.