I piece with a Janome 6500MC and when using it I will only use Superior Titanium Coated Needles (Topstitch 90/14). I quilt with a Janome 1600P and will only use one of to different brands of needles in it. Either a Schmetz HLx5 High Speed or a Superior Topstitch 80/12. Of course in both machines I only use 50 wt thread.