Yes, I like that I don't have to bend the pieces. I think it makes it easier to do and also easier to reuse your papers.
I used embroidery needles because they have a large eye. I've used some of the John James needles that have a small eye (I can't remember which ones they were. My Clover threader is good with them. I'm thankful for that because I'm not sure how I'd ever thread that little eye without them.