my absolute favorite needle for hand quilting is a Prym #7 sharp. I have one pack of them that i have been nursing along for years. they are easy to thread, considering how thin they are. they are neither too long, nor too short for me to handle comfortably. they don't bend or break and stay sharp for ages.
the hard part is finding just size 7s alone in a pack. i search every now and then. i hate buying a pack of assorted sizes just to get one or two of the size i really want.
these are Dritz. i'll bet they're just as good. yippee!!! :P
http://www.acesewing.com/product.php?productid=17405&cat=370&page=3