I attended a seminar by a well known quilter (won't use her name) She very diligently told us how often changing needles was recommended per manufactures and other professional quilters. Then she gave us a big cheeky grin and said she always......always changes her needle when it breaks. If it's not broken don't fix it. If I'm happy with my stiches, and have no problems, I change my needles when they break. LOL