The needle of system 287 WH has a small ball point for working knit fabrics, without damaging the stitches. It is used in industrial overlock, coverstitch and safety-stitch machines for elastic knit fabrics. Suitable machine classes are found, among others, at Singer (classes 71-1, 71-10, 71-101, 71-103), Juki (classes DDL-5550N, DDL-5550N-7, DDL-5550NH, DDL-5550NH-7) and Golden Wheel (classes CS-4060, CS-5100, CS-5100-2T, CS-5100-5).
Thinner needle sizes are used, among others, for fine, light jersey and tricot fabrics, 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.
