I'd forgotten about my bending needles when hand quilting on my frame because I've been doing handquilting in a hoop lately. Do any of you have that problem. Is there something I should be doing that I'm not doing? ? Once the needle gets bent it's harder to stitch the straight lines.

I use short needles (betweens - size 8 or 9) because longer ones bend so badly. Do any of you have any suggestions?

Maybe lessen your tension on your top and get a different brand of needles. I use Roxanne's betweens size 11.

You might want to PM "Borntohandquilt" Her work is amazing.

I would lessen the tension on the top, too.

Sometimes a whole pack will be defective and bend easier than others. I bend size 12 needles all the time, so now I use size 11 - they're just as long, but a bit sturdier.

I have found that some brands of needles are just (for lack of a better word) crap. Bend no matter what you do with your tension and not sharp at all. I have never handquilted in a frame though, I use a lap hoop.

I also recommend a size 11 and my preferred brand is Roxanne.

I second what is already said - a looser tension may help, also shorter needles like the #11 Roxanne or John James. I also bend size 12...

When I took a hand quilting class I asked the same question and she said I was putting too many stitches on the needle at once. I have cut back by a couple of stitches and I haven't bent a needle since.

That might help... but I do single stitches and although I bend the #12... it seems to be a matter of strenght I put on the needle.

I especially bend them when I am doing a lot of curves in a pattern. I have tried all kinds but maybe need to try fewer stitches.

I've bent the 12s taking them out of the package. Maybe my hands are really strong. :roll:

My favorite needles are John James number 8's manufactured in England. Since I have been using the needles there have been no more bent or broken needles.