Thread: Help quilting on longarm

Hi Everyone, awhile ago I posted a picture of a quilt I was working. I decided on #1 with all borders mitered here is the post Need opinion on borders. Now I'm ready to load my quilt top and want to use fleece backing (it isn't the real thick fleece) with thin batting. I've read that placing the fleece with the stretch going against the leaders (side to side) to help with the stretching. Now my question is, what size needle would I use? I read somewhere to use a size 20, I don't have a size 20. I have 16, 18, 19 and 21 but not 20...any suggestions on the needle size? Also should I be making my stitches bigger or stitch with the normal stitch I've been using...KEEP in mind, that the top is all cotton and wasn't prewashed before making quilt. Thanks bunches for any and all suggestions given.

I believe it's Aurfil 36W Poly varigated for top, Aurfil 40W Poly for fleece backing. I was also going to float my top. I rarely pin my top to frame.

needle size needs to be right for the chosen thread- for a 35 wt i would think the 19 or the 21---
when i quilt with fleece or minkie backing i do lengthen my stitch length a bit- like about 10 stitches to the inch. it is not difficult to quilt with fleece.

I just did my first one a couple weeks ago. I used an 18 with 40 weight King Tut. No problems except the tension on the fleece backing should be very loose to the point of being baggy.

I was told to put 3 lengths of the thread you are using through the needle. If it moves freely then the needle is big enough to use for that thread.
I did a quilt using minkee on the back, yes stretch follows the length of the rollers. Also I floated the batting and top and it turned out well.
Good luck.
Laurie

Sorry, also forgot. Don't put a lot of tension on the side clamps, just enough to hold the fabric there and not stretch it.
Laurie

Thanks everyone all your information has been put to good use. I have started the quilting, but now I'm stuck. I have plans for what I'm quilting on the embroidered blocks and the triangles but I just can't figure out what I should do in the nine patch block. I'm hopefully adding a pic
Ok don't think one would call that a nine patch lol