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Is it really BAD to use regular needle instead of quilting needle???

Is it really BAD to use regular needle instead of quilting needle???

Old 02-17-2012, 01:19 PM
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Default Is it really BAD to use regular needle instead of quilting needle???

Hi...well I am just about to embark machine piecing my first top...nervous as everything.
Anyway....as I am reading different posts here and articles, I find I don't have "quilting" needles, just the everyday (I guess they are called "universal") needles.
So my question to all you veteran machine piecing people...is it BAD if I DON'T use a quilting needle?? I am using all cotton fabric.
All help appreciated.
Thank-you
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:32 PM
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No its not BAD!!! I have used universal with no problem, and can not tell the diffrence of finished product. Of course I only make quilts to keep warm and to snuggle under. LOL
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:36 PM
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No its not bad... before they had all of these special needles ... we used the ones we had and our quilts somehow lasted.
Do check the size , bigger is not better , especially when it comes to the piecing.
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:38 PM
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I use a "topstitch" needle - recommended by my quilt shop clerk. It is designed to hold two threads so I have a better chance of getting the thing threaded! I was using universal needles before that.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDcQ8wIwAQ#

I used to get them at Wal-mart, but they haven't had them lately. Now get them at Joanns.

The link shows a size 16 needle. I get a size 12.
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:39 PM
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I have always used Universal needles. My eyes are not good enough to tell the difference in needles & don't want to bother with switching needles with regular sewing tasks.
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:41 PM
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I haven't made many, but I use Universal too
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:46 PM
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I buy what's on sale and change them around like crazy (except for jeans and ball point). Neither my machines nor me can tell the difference.
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Old 02-17-2012, 01:51 PM
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Well maybe I'm the dummy, I always use universal for piecing and quilting for quilting the sandwich, although have been told at the quilt shop that denim needles are good for the quilting too.
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Old 02-17-2012, 02:37 PM
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Universal isn't wrong if that's all you have, but I think there's better choices. I use a microtex (aka, sharp) instead of a universal needle. Universals have a slightly rounded tip and the microtex has a sharper, thinner point so it's perfect for piecing, appliqué, and quilting. Here's some info on how to choose and the differences between needles. http://quiltbug.com/articles/choosing-needle.htm
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Old 02-17-2012, 05:19 PM
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I use topstitch needles for piecing and machine quilting. I don't use quilting betweens when hand quilting. I use no. 10 sharps.
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