Best needle for top stitch

[Edsbear]

Can anyone help with the best type of needle for top stitching or is standard good enough and should I be using a thinner thread in the bobbin as some people have mentioned to me.

I am using 20s for the top stitch and the same for bobbin.

I am using a Brother unison feed

Thank you

[kgg]

26 minutes ago, Edsbear said:

Can anyone help with the best type of needle for top stitching

Here is a good link to thread size versus needle size ( https://www.tolindsewmach.com/thread-chart.html ). The size of thread will be limited to the max needle size as rated by the manufacturer.

What is the model number of your Brother????

26 minutes ago, Edsbear said:

should I be using a thinner thread in the bobbin as some people have mentioned to me.

Keep in mind that if you are doing a larger thread size as a top thread and a smaller size thread in the bobbin the strength of the seam will be that of the smaller thread size. The typical reason for doing that is for aesthetics.  

What is the max size of thread you want to use????

kgg

[Edsbear]

Thanks for the chart. 

Machine is a Brother LS2-B837 thread size is 138 (T135) [Tkt 20] for top stitch, needle is a 140 standard point

[kgg]

8 hours ago, Edsbear said:

Machine is a Brother LS2-B837 thread size is 138 (T135) [Tkt 20] for top stitch, needle is a 140 standard point

Here is a link to the instruction manual for your machine regarding needle size page 23 ( https://www.manualslib.com/manual/441454/Brother-Ls2-B877.html?page=23#manual ).

The max size needle for your machine is #23 (160) and using a system 135x17 for Fabric and 135 x 16 for Leather work. The #22 you are using is really meant for thicker stuff using V92 (Tkt 30) or thin stuff using V138 (Tkt 20).

kgg

 

[Edsbear]

I thought v92 was thinner than v138?

[kgg]

2 hours ago, Edsbear said:

I thought v92 was thinner than v138?

Yes the V92 thread is smaller then V138.

When sewing with V92 the typical recommended needle size would be #20 (130) needle but if the material is close to the max sewing thickness of the machine or tough material you will need to move up a size to a #22 (140). When sewing with V138 in thin / soft  material you would use a #23 (160) and a #24( 180) if the material is close to the max sewing thickness or if it is thick or tough. The problem with your machine it is not rated to accept the #24 (180) needle so you may have problems like skipped stitches.

kgg