The 2331 F SES needle (needle system 2331 F) has a small ball point for working knit fabrics, without damaging the loops. It is used in industrial lockstitch and general-purpose sewing machines, here mainly for technical applications such as quilting rather than classic garment production. Suitable machine classes are found, among others, at H.J.Dahmen Steppomat-Textilmaschinen (classes STEPPOMAT SERIE G, STEPPOMAT SERIE GT DOPPELNAHT AUbisM, STEPPOMAT SERIE K, STEPPOMAT SERIE KT DOPPELNAHT AUbisM) and Dahmen (classes STEPPOMAT SERIE G ALL CLASSES, STEPPOMAT SERIE GT DOPPELNAHT AUTOM, STEPPOMAT SERIE K, STEPPOMAT SERIE KT DOPPELNAHT AUTOM).
Thinner needle sizes are used, among others, for medium-weight knit fabrics for everyday garment production, and the thicker versions for heavy, dense knit fabrics and technical knits. As sewing thread, a matching thickness is usually recommended depending on the needle size chosen, e.g. from Amann Serafil or Rasant; for very stretchy seams, a texturised thread also works well. The ball point glides between the loops instead of piercing them, keeping the seam clean and undamaged.