Best Needle for Smallest Hole
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 110
Best Needle for Smallest Hole
Hi everyone! Happy winter! I’m making a baby quilt for my brand new grand daughter and I’m using flannel, alternating 9 patch blocks with a daisy where each petal and center is appliqued so there’s going to be a lot of visible stitching. On my practice daisy block, I noticed that the needle is leaving a visible hole. I’ve not encountered this before when appliqueing but I’ve never appliqued with flannel before either. Maybe this will go away after washing and handling the quilt but I’d rather not see it at all. What size needle will make the smallest hole?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,165
This is machine or hand applique? What size/type needle are you currently using?
Have to admit that I am not my best with flannel, I don't sew with it often as I have just too many pets...
Have to admit that I am not my best with flannel, I don't sew with it often as I have just too many pets...
#3
Super Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 9,557
I'm assuming that since you're concerned with needle size, this means you are machine appliqueing? Are you also using fusible?
The problem with changing your needle is that for best results, you really need to match the needle size to the thread size. What kind and size of thread are you using?
I agree, the holes will close up with washing. If you don't want to see them as you're sewing, I've found that steaming the holes helps. So does spritzing lightly with water and kind of massaging the fabric. Make sure your fabrics are colorfast first (hopefully you've already tested for colorfastness before sewing).
The problem with changing your needle is that for best results, you really need to match the needle size to the thread size. What kind and size of thread are you using?
I agree, the holes will close up with washing. If you don't want to see them as you're sewing, I've found that steaming the holes helps. So does spritzing lightly with water and kind of massaging the fabric. Make sure your fabrics are colorfast first (hopefully you've already tested for colorfastness before sewing).
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 110
Is flannel bad for pets or pets bad for flannel?
#5
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 110
I'm assuming that since you're concerned with needle size, this means you are machine appliqueing? Are you also using fusible?
The problem with changing your needle is that for best results, you really need to match the needle size to the thread size. What kind and size of thread are you using?
I agree, the holes will close up with washing. If you don't want to see them as you're sewing, I've found that steaming the holes helps. So does spritzing lightly with water and kind of massaging the fabric. Make sure your fabrics are colorfast first (hopefully you've already tested for colorfastness before sewing).
The problem with changing your needle is that for best results, you really need to match the needle size to the thread size. What kind and size of thread are you using?
I agree, the holes will close up with washing. If you don't want to see them as you're sewing, I've found that steaming the holes helps. So does spritzing lightly with water and kind of massaging the fabric. Make sure your fabrics are colorfast first (hopefully you've already tested for colorfastness before sewing).
#6
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,165
It's the pet hair that prevents me from using more flannel! The pale pets shed on the dark stuff and the dark pets shed on the light stuff and all stuff is covered with hair.
I prefer to piece with a 10 myself but will also use 12s, then when I do my quilting on my domestic I go up to a 14 so I buy the mixed three pack needle sets most times. It might seem counter-intuitive, but you might actually try a larger needle first before going smaller, just something the way flannel works for me some times, depends on the weave and the amount of fuzz but that's been more with making clothing and jammies and not quilts.
If you do have a different lighter weight of thread to try on the top that might make a difference too.
I prefer to piece with a 10 myself but will also use 12s, then when I do my quilting on my domestic I go up to a 14 so I buy the mixed three pack needle sets most times. It might seem counter-intuitive, but you might actually try a larger needle first before going smaller, just something the way flannel works for me some times, depends on the weave and the amount of fuzz but that's been more with making clothing and jammies and not quilts.
If you do have a different lighter weight of thread to try on the top that might make a difference too.