Help with sewing machine confusion
10-10-2011, 08:32 PM
#1
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 11
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?
10-10-2011, 08:37 PM
#3
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Spokane, Wa
Posts: 1,196
#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...)
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...)
10-10-2011, 08:40 PM
#4
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,559
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
Superior Threads has an EXCELLENT page full of information on needles.
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle
10-10-2011, 09:09 PM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Cadillac, MI
Posts: 6,487
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.
10-10-2011, 09:11 PM
#7
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: IL
Posts: 2,671
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.
10-10-2011, 09:16 PM
#8
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Enid, OK
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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!
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-123199-1.htm
Hope that helps you out!
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