Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Question on Needles >

Question on Needles

Question on Needles

Old 09-13-2011, 02:47 PM
  #1  
Super Member
Thread Starter
 
Lynneander's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 4,128
Default

I need a little advice. I am in a quilting group where we are hand quilting a large quilt together. The fabric is good quality and the batting warm and natural. In all, a beautifully made quilt. My problem is that I am having a hard time with the needle. It doesn't necessarily stick in the fabric layers, it is just very difficult to work the needle. Several other women are having the same problem. We have changed needles, to no avail.

Any suggestions?
Lynneander is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 02:51 PM
  #2  
Super Member
 
MellieKQuilter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1,199
Default

DO you suppose it is the batting choice? I cant hand quilt with Warm and Natural... :-/
MellieKQuilter is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 02:55 PM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Scissor Queen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Southwest Kansas
Posts: 4,820
Default

Warm and Natural isn't hand quilting friendly. Try Quilter's Dream Request or Select next time.
Scissor Queen is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 03:01 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Hinterland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 941
Default

I think the batting choice may have a lot to do with it.

Try loosening the tension on the quilt, and maybe a different size and brand needle.


Janet
Hinterland is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 03:10 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sturbridge, Ma
Posts: 3,992
Default

I suspect the pronlem is the warm and natural batting.
Holice is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 03:15 PM
  #6  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
Default

a #10 sharp maybe easier---(assuming you've been using betweens- the sharps are a little longer) warm & natural is really not meant to be hand quilted (or any batting with scrim- the scrim helps keep them together for the tugging/turning/rolling during machine quilting-
hobbs heirloom or quilters dream is a better choice- but assuming that is too late you will have to experiment with needles- (and thimbles) to find the right combination.
I use sharps or milners normally- i like the longer shaft-
and #12 milners may even be a better choice for you---longer and finer needle- but they will bend sooner doing (heavy sewing) with them. i like the John James milners- but there are lots of different brands to choose from.
ckcowl is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 03:34 PM
  #7  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North Texas
Posts: 1,283
Default

I also belong to a weekly hand quilting group and have found that Hobbs 80/20 works better than Warm and Natural.

I use #11 Roxanne needles.

mltquilt
mltquilt is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 03:35 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Hinterland's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Hudson Valley, NY
Posts: 941
Default

One other thing - quilting on the bias is usually easier than quilting on the straight of grain.

Janet
Hinterland is offline  
Old 09-13-2011, 08:29 PM
  #9  
Super Member
 
caliquocat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: No. California
Posts: 1,298
Default

Too bad the choice was Warm & Natural for hand quilting. I learned the hard way on a Q size quilt, the batting is so tough & dense it was very hard to penetrate. I made it but never again.
caliquocat is offline  
Old 09-14-2011, 03:45 AM
  #10  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central NJ
Posts: 5,570
Default

I hand quilt with warm & natural all the time. Granted, might not be the easiest batting to work with but it's doable. I use Roxanne between needles, either #11 or #12 and don't have issues getting through the sandwich. I would loosen the tension on the frame and see if that helps.
NJ Quilter is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TeeGee
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
23
05-21-2012 09:03 AM
dilyn
Pictures
66
09-15-2011 02:01 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter