The needle is a crucial element for your machine.  A range of needles specificially designed for different thicknesses and fibre content.  

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Size - usually displayed as two numbers (eg 80/12).  Higher number = thicker fabric. Lower number = finer fabric.

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Fabric type = Universal for non stretch fabric.  Stretch for stretch fabric. Jeans needles for jeans.  

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The wrong type, size or blunt needle can cause more tension and sewing issues than anything else.  Change the needle regularly to avoid blunt needles.   Skipped stitches, tension needles can be caused by blunt or wrong type / size of needle.