The thread about rotary cutters got me thinking. How often do I change my needle compared to how often do I change my rotary blade? If the needle needs to be changed every so many hours, maybe I could tie my blades to that.

I usually change when I hear the needle 'pop' while going through the fabric.

I change my needles about like you do! <grin>

Not as often as I need to...

I change my needles with every project or quilt. I have found that lots of times there is dust built up in the bobbin area that causes a 'thud' kind of sound but it's not always the needle that's making it. So I usually clean the bobbin area and then if I can still hear the 'thud' sound, I change the needle. I can, usually, piece a king sized quilt before I need a new needle. I only change my rotary cutting blade when it starts skipping places as I'm cutting.

Every other quilt on piecing and frame machine

Clean & Change after every project......
machine stay Happy that way :) :) :)

I switched to all titanium coated machine needles. They stay sharp much longer then regular needles. It's been months since I changed because of the needle being dull.

I don't change mine unless I break it or heard the thud. Bad habit.

I'm sooo baaad. I only change it when it breaks.

when I purchased my Bernina, I was told to change the needle after 7 to 8 hours of stitching. But when I was using the embroidery arm, was told to change it after 60,000 stitches, and if the thread jams, first thing was to change the needle.