I am using the needle now for burying knots. While they are pricy, I brelieve the price is worth it in the time and frustration saved in trying to thread hand needles. I am using the largest size for this although I have all three sizes. I machine quilted a 49"x61" quilt with the shell pattern (Baptist Fan design) so there are dozens of tails to be buried. The Spiral needle sure makes it faster and easier.