I too bend needles. Several years ago my mother was given a treadle sewing machine in a cabinet. One of the drawers contained a couple of packages of betweens. They were likely very old--brand no longer made, but they didn't bend easily. I have long since used them up. I think many needles are now softer metal. I have found that Jeana Kimball and Roxanne needles don't bend so easily. Currently, I have been using John James big eye betweens because they are easier to thread and work well if I am not quilting over a lot of seams. As has been previously mentioned, seams tend to bend needles. Also, I never hand quilt batik fabric or sheets. The high thread count makes it hard to get the needle through.