Needles what makes a quilting needle a Q needle ??
 

Ok this may be stupid but
what makes a quilting needle a quilting needle ? what is the difference in using it and a small sharp ? I know there has to be a reason but i don't hand quilt and don't know why any one would want to use those tiny things ??

I just started hand quilting so you will get better replies from the more experienced. Believe it or not the short needle makes it possible to "rock" the needle through the quilt sandwich to create small stitches. There is probably a YouTube video showing the motion, then you could see why a short needle is necessary

You want to use those tiny things so you don't have to have your thumb and middle finger spread so far apart. You push down on the quilt with your thumb when you rock the needle up with your middle finger. The shorter the needle, the more control.

Short thin shaft.

I use my quilting and sharps interchangeably

You could probably use a small sharp, but as you get better at hand quilting, the smaller needle becomes easier to handle. But there's always an exception to every rule - the "Thimble Lady" has a method of hand quilting that uses longer needles!

Janet

I wasn't sure if you were referring to hand quilting or machine quilting. Hand quilting I use a between size 10. On the machine, I piece and quilt with either a quilting needle or a sharp needle. I actually think they are the same.

All the information you'll need to know about any machine needle can be found in the book "Point Well Taken" which can be found here http://pointwelltakenbook.com/. I still refer to it regularly after 14 years, a godsend!

Jan in VA

Thank you All I am beginning to see the light. still can't see the needle eye in "those tiny things" I asked because I have about 100 in the bottom of my sewing box that i got at estate sales with other items i did want. I also have about 100 sharps i will never use I started to thow them away a few weeks ago but after joining this board i put them back in the box to deal with later. I can't put the on the board to give away till i have been here 90 days but if any one can use them just PM me i have no use for them

Bending needles
 

I have the same question. I keep BENDING tweens and sharps. I've been through over 2 dozen and they consistently last less than 2 hours. I've transitioned to a milliners needle to keep my sanity (what little I have).

Bent needles do not make consistent small stitches. What am I doing wrong?