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  • Help with sewing machine confusion

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    Old 10-10-2011, 08:32 PM
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    I am new to the board and have been lurking for a while but finally had to post a question. I have decided to start quilting again after not being able to for a few years. I have made quilts in the past mostly by hand quilting and a bit of piecing on the machine. My grandmother taught me to hand quilt and that was all I knew for awhile. Sewing machines have always intimidated me but I have finally got up the courage to give it a try. I would like to start making my quilts on my machine with minimal hand quilting. Now I am trying to get more acquainted with my sewing machine and according to the quilting book I am planning to use I am supposed to use different size needles for different things. She gives the sizes for each step so that's not a problem. My problem is that I have no idea what needles to actually use. For instance the author says to start the project with and 80/12 Universal needle. All the needles for my machine come with just one number for the size (#11, #14 etc) and none of them say universal. Can I use another brand needle in order to match the size or do I have to stick with the brand of my machine?
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    Old 10-10-2011, 08:35 PM
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    I use the 11 quilting needles for piecing, and the 14 quilting or topstitch for thicker threads for quilting
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    Old 10-10-2011, 08:37 PM
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    #12 would be = to 80. what kind of machine do you have, most take any brand.
    one number is european, one is i guess american. not sure which is which!

    oh, hit send too soon. the size of needle depends on the project (fabric, thread...)
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    Old 10-10-2011, 08:40 PM
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    I don't think you have to stick with a particular brand, unless it's an older Singer. I've heard that the Singer needles are longer. I use Organ needles, and I use a 12 or 14 for piecing, and a 16 or 18 for quilting. An 80/12 is the same as a 12. You DON'T want to use a ball point or knit needle - they're hard on woven fabrics and make your machine work harder. I usually use a Top Stitch for piecing.

    Superior Threads has an EXCELLENT page full of information on needles.

    http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle
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    Old 10-10-2011, 08:48 PM
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    Everyone else has given you great info, so I will just welcome you to the board from Minnesota, and hope you find it as much fun as the rest of us do!
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    Old 10-10-2011, 09:09 PM
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    Unless they say ballpoint your size 80s are perfect. I use that needle for everything except denim jeans (14) and silky fabrics (9). My Elna prefers Schmertz, but my vintage Singer isn't fussy, except for FMQ, then she wants a Singer needle.
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    Old 10-10-2011, 09:11 PM
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    Welcome, MamaB! I'm Maia B, but also a mama :). I think a quilting or topstitching (basically the same) will be much better than a universal. My favorites are Superiors, which are made by Organ. Schmetz are good also. Definitely look at the Superior wesite, their info on matching threads and needles is excellent.
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    Old 10-10-2011, 09:16 PM
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    here is a link to a topic I posted on just this subject.
    http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-123199-1.htm
    Hope that helps you out!
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    Old 10-11-2011, 12:24 AM
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    Welcome and glad you have decided to jump back in quilting!
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    Old 10-11-2011, 02:36 AM
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    welcome to the board from minnesota and happy quilting
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