JustAbitCrazy

I have not yet longarmed an all batik quilt, but I think I would use the smallest needle which will give quality stitches, because I understand any holes which remain from frogging do not come out. Be very careful to completely avoid or minimize ripping out if at all possible. Regarding your second question, I put in a new needle with every large quilt (or after the equivalent in small quilts). If you wait too long to change your needle, the tip becomes dull, and you will end up with batting bearding through to the back of the quilt. It's very time consuming to poke all that batting back through the holes. (Voice of experience here.) Lesson learned. Never again.