I've been practicing FMQ and was getting frustrated. I couldn't get my tension right and the thread kept breaking and the stitches just didn't look right. Then I remembered in a class I took with Judy Irish she said she only uses Microtex metalic needles. For everything, not just FMQ. So, I changed needles and poof... all my problems were gone :) Stitches are more consistant, thread doesn't break and tension is good!

Off to have some more FMQ fun :)

a new sharp needle really makes all the difference in quilting- and piecing-
any time you are having skipped stitches, threads breaking, uneven stitching chances are you need a new needle-
the recommendation is to change needle every 8 hours of sewing time or with every new project...or if your stitching is no longer looking good....some fabrics dull needles faster than others. a sharp needle can make all the difference!

I found the Organ titanium coated topstitch needles have eliminated all my tension and thread problems when FMQing. The 17/90 size works great for the size 50# thread I use. The needles last many time longer then regular needles. The one I'm using now has been in my machine for piecing for over six months and still sews like new.

I am pretty good about replacing needles. I do it frequently, but I was using a universal needle I think? Or maybe a sharps? Don't remember now - will have to look. I stock up on them when Joann's has a 50% off sale.

I like to use the metallic needles alot.. it makes seeing the eye of the needle soo much easier when doing other sewing .

glad you got it fixed, have fun

I'm starting to quilt my latest quilt, my first batik. The salesperson at the sewing machine store told me I need "sharps" to quilt a batik. So I took my universal needle out, put my new "sharp" needle in and had to do numerous tear outs before finally getting rid of the sharp and putting a new universal needle back in. Argh, that was a waste of money. I'll have to look for metallic needles and give them a try!

This is an interesting thread!!!I knew that there were quilting needles and they need to be sharp but I never heard of metallic needles. I learn so much here!

This place is great isn't it? I learn so much here too. That is what prompted me to share this bit of info with everyone.

It is my understand (as I have yet to play with metallic thread) that the metallic needles are for when you use metallic thread. Makes sense, but when I was telling my mom about it, she thought metallic referred to the look of the needle, not the function of it. The hole is a little bigger so there is less friction with the thread. I'm going to try them for piecing too and see what happens. I would love to just use one type of needle and not worry about changing them out all the time.

Micotex is different than metallic. Micotex needles do not make a big hole in your fabric when it goes down. Metallic needles have a lager eye.