designation, established in 1942, corresponds to the diameter of the needle in hundredths of a millimeter at a non-reinforced point above the scarf. In both cases, a larger number corresponds to a larger, heavier needle. Most sewing machine needles will have packaging that gives both of these numbers in its size description — (e.g. as either 100/16 or 16/100). The length of all sewing machine needles has been standardized and does not require a separate code. The metric designation is the actual needle diameter in hundredths of a millimeter. The following chart gives a comparison of the two systems: Types Most currently manufactured needles are designated according to "type", and fall into the following categories: Singer number and color codes Singer colors and numbers its needles with the following system of codes to indicate the needle point type and shaft size: SVP Worldwide colour codes The coloured band on some types of Inspira needles indicates the needle type. Kenmore color codes Kenmore colors its needles with a different system of color codes which indicate the needle's size: Schmetz shank colour codes The coloured top band on some types of Schmetz needles indicates the needle shank types. Schmetz needles with a universal needle (shank) have a colored bottom band indicating the (shaft) sizes: References Sewing machines