View Single Post
Old 09-04-2010, 08:20 PM
  #4  
Twilliebee
Senior Member
 
Twilliebee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: PEI, Canada
Posts: 521
Default

Originally Posted by IngeMK
Originally Posted by Twilliebee
I like the Schmetz Microtex for piecing and their Quilting needles for quilting. If I'm using a specialty thread, like a 30wt rayon or a metallic, I use the recommeded needle. A topstitching needle is good for a heavier thread weight, too.

Try some of these sites:
http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...dle-and-thread
http://www.superiorthreads.com/page/330/
http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...nformation.htm
the superior threads site has me asking this question.....one article on it states that the most used needle is a topstitch, to be used for piecing and quilting.
Interesting. Which article was it? I notice in the reference chart for the specialty threads the topstitch needle is recommended for almost everything. A good and safe choice, because you could change thread weights pretty radically without having to change your needle. It's amazing how much there is to learn, and how much the small choices affect the outcome!
What do you usually use? What I hear most often is 'buy the best quality needles you can find and change them often'. I probably don't change mine as often as I should, but I did start buying only Schmetz . The LQS had someone come in and do a lecture on thread and needles last year. She had microscopic photos of different brands of needles. It was amazing the difference in finish and smoothness between the cheap ones and the better quality.
Twilliebee is offline