Hello and Welcome from Michigan!!

Welcome from Kansas. Wish I could help you, but my hands will not hold a needle. All machine sewing.

Welcome from WV. Can't help with hand quilting, but sounds like you have gotten good advice already on that score. I found out early on that a hand-quilter I would never be, so it is the machine for me. Hope you find the right needles to speed you through.

Welcome from Texas. I think your problem will disappear if you get some quality needles like Roxanne.

Welcome from WI

I use John James needles or EZ and a number 9 . Be sure they are betweens

You can sew through aluminum foil a few layers thick and it will sharpen the needle. I don't know why, just learned it from a friend

welcome from se TX

Hello from Western Mountain Maryland !!
I use Sewer"s Aide, it can be used on thread, sewing feet,hand needles, & machine needles. I get it at Joanna's

Welcome from California. I had problems with needles breaking and also bending until I got some John James (brand) needles. I have some Roxanne needles but the eye is so small they are hard to thread, and my needle threader won't work on them. The John James needles are the best I have found for the hand quilting I do. Good luck.