During the sewing process, needle increases its temperature as result of the friction with the sewing yarn and with the fabrics. At some speeds and for some materials critical temperatures can be reached and become a source for problems affecting the quality of the sewn product and the productivity of the sewing machine. This review presents the current state-of-the art with the known research papers about the factors causing needle heating, the effects of the needle heating on the sewing process and sewn product quality, the methods used to measure the needle temperature and techniques used for reduction of the needle heating.