osewme

I've never paid to much attention to needle sizes but now that I am down to just 2 regular sewing needles left & several jeans needles, I need to buy some new ones. My last batch of needles were Janome size 12 & size 14. I would like to go to a Schmetz needle or maybe even a Singer needle (if it is compatible to use in my Janome Magnolia 7730 machine).
What needle do you recommend? I mainly piece blocks, quilt & do a lot of general sewing. I would like a standard needle that I can do everything with...not a lot of different size needles. Also, I will be purchasing these online from Jon-Ann's since I have a gift card from that store.
Thanks for your help in advance.

Jordan

I use a needle for denim as I am making 5 rag quilts with jean blocks and for all other sewing I use sharps or universal needles by Schmetz. I have a Janome 6600 MC. I always buy my needles from JoAnn's with a coupon.

Iceblossom

I generally use a 10-12 to piece and a 14 to quilt, the three size packs work for me but I typically need more of the smaller ones. I sew with a pretty tight stitch and press my seams open. (Edit: I only quilt any more, no other sewing but those will handle light to heavy woven fabrics, you do need other needles if you do knits or other garment construction.)

Lately I've been liking sharps/microtex, especially with batiks but just in general. Universals are fine. I've been buying Schmetz for the last couple of decades but Singers are fine too. My own last needle order was from Amazon and was for a multi-pack of the 3-size packs of Schmetz Universal plus a couple packs of the Sharp 10s.

Here's a nice unbiased breakdown of needle types, not brands.
https://www.allbrands.com/info/needle-selection-guide

osewme

Thanks for the info.
Iceblossom, I printed off that needle information from Allbrands for future reference....Thanks!

Homespun

I order needles 90/14 from Amazon made by the Organ company. 100 for a low price. good needles.

Rhonda K

I have been using Schmetz Microtex 80/12 for piecing and the embroidery machine. They were recommended to me by the LQS when I was having issues with thread shredding.

DACO48

I have a Janome 6600 and use Microtex 10 or 12. I like them because they are so sharp and pierce the fabric cleanly.

Jingle

I use organ needles for my two straight stitch only machine. Mainly 14 and 16.

Lady Diana

You need different sizes needles for different thread weights, fabric types, and type of sewing you are doing. For example, if you do free motion, you need a 90/14 topstitch....some quilters use this size but a Microtex. Janome needles are Organ needles. Organ needles are very good. https://www.superiorthreads.com/vide...edles-part-one explains all about needles. Bob, of Supereior Threads has a video on this link.

Onebyone

I have taken a lot of machine quilting classes and when needles were passed out to fit the thread we were using, Janome machine people always got the Schmetz brand and the other machines got the Organ brand. Do not use Singer needles. They are a different length then the other brands, just enough extra to cause all kinds of stitching problems. Singer needles do not work in the Singer machines most times now anyway. The company making the Singer brand needles is a China company and there is no quality control. If you have a Featherweight the new Singer needles will not fit it. Schmetz is the only one that will fit it properly. Learned this from my many Featherweight classes from Nova Montgomery.