I've never used a needle that size to quilt. Schmetz makes a quilting needle that has a larger eye and very sharp point and this is what I normally use. On some of my smaller quilts I will use a 90/14 regular needle. Then again I seldom use any thread heavier than a 30 weight. As for the Janome shop being miles away, I am sure they would mail the needles. I wish any machine dealer was 30 miles from me since mine are all over 75 - 100 miles away.