Quilting thread is directional...as is all thread but quilting thread has gone through an extra process to add the sizing and is on the spool backwards to normal thread. So with quilting thread tie your knot before you cut it off the spool and your knot will always be at the correct end and you won't get knots in your thread as often. Regular thread you knot the end you cut off the spool. If using regular thread coat with beeswax to give it the extra strength.
And I only use English needles. They don't seem to have the burrs that US needles have in the eye area.