As the only means of transporting the thread through
the materials to be sewn, the selection of the correct needle to be used is
paramount. A needle that is too large in diameter will make a hole in a
canvas tent, that may let water in, whilst a needle with the wrong type of
point may cause damage to the material being sewn, laddering knitted materials
used by lingerie manufacturers, or cutting and weakening webbing used in the
lifting industry.