Needle sizes to use for piecing and quilting
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: northern California
Posts: 1,098
Needle sizes to use for piecing and quilting
My repairman has told me to use Schmetz needles, but I'd like to know what size to use AND I'd like to know where to get them in 10 packs because they are half as expensive that way.
A woman who was clerking at a quilt shop told me she always uses 120/?? for piecing and a 70/?? for quiltng. Is a smaller # a larger needle? And what about the "green dot" quilting needles? I am so confused!
What do you use for piecing? .....for quilting? and do you use the ones with green dots? Is the Universal style the best (it has a slight rounding of the the end of the needle)?
AND do you have a place you can order a pack of 10, all of one size, by mail for about the price of a normal 5 pack? I saw such the other day and I have spent hours trying to find that site again w/o avail.
I hope some of you really experienced quilters will help me out here.
A woman who was clerking at a quilt shop told me she always uses 120/?? for piecing and a 70/?? for quiltng. Is a smaller # a larger needle? And what about the "green dot" quilting needles? I am so confused!
What do you use for piecing? .....for quilting? and do you use the ones with green dots? Is the Universal style the best (it has a slight rounding of the the end of the needle)?
AND do you have a place you can order a pack of 10, all of one size, by mail for about the price of a normal 5 pack? I saw such the other day and I have spent hours trying to find that site again w/o avail.
I hope some of you really experienced quilters will help me out here.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lincoln. MI
Posts: 491
I am still also struggling with gaining strong and specific knowledge about what size/type needle to use when - b...ut as to the best place to purchase......I buy pretty much only Schmetz needles for all of my sewing/quilting/embroidery and always buy them from either Hancocks or Joanne's when they have their 50 - 60% off notions sale, or when I have a 50% off coupon. I always have a very generous supply of them on hand that way. Good luck in you" quest for "needle knowledge".
#5
Someone on the forum gave us a link to the Schmetz web site for a guide for needles. It's really helpful. The site is http://www.schmetz.com. Good luck!
#7
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,649
This is another informative site:
http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...Sizes.--94.htm
Sewing machine needles:
The larger the number, the thicker the shaft of the needle.
For piecing ordinary quilting cottons, I use a 70 or 80 Schmetz needle, so far, I haven't noticed a major difference if I'm using a ballpoint, universal, or regular needle.
Hand sewing needles:
The larger the number, the needle is slimmer and shorter (for a given style/type of needle)
http://sewing.about.com/od/sewingmac...Sizes.--94.htm
Sewing machine needles:
The larger the number, the thicker the shaft of the needle.
For piecing ordinary quilting cottons, I use a 70 or 80 Schmetz needle, so far, I haven't noticed a major difference if I'm using a ballpoint, universal, or regular needle.
Hand sewing needles:
The larger the number, the needle is slimmer and shorter (for a given style/type of needle)
#8
Mostly you should match your needle to your thread and the type of fabric you're sewing. Since I mostly sew cottons I use a 75/11 quilting needle for piecing. I generally use either Aurifil or Prescencia threads to piece with. For quilting I use a wider variety of threads so I use more sizes of needles. For most quilting I use either 80/12 or 90/14 topstitch needles. The topstitch needles have a larger eye and work better with the heavier threads.
For cotton fabrics the sharp needles work best. For knits you'll need the ball point needles. You're supposed to be able to use universal needles on either type of fabric but I've found they just don't work all that great for either one.
For cotton fabrics the sharp needles work best. For knits you'll need the ball point needles. You're supposed to be able to use universal needles on either type of fabric but I've found they just don't work all that great for either one.
#9
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,649
Mostly you should match your needle to your thread and the type of fabric you're sewing. Since I mostly sew cottons I use a 75/11 quilting needle for piecing. I generally use either Aurifil or Prescencia threads to piece with. For quilting I use a wider variety of threads so I use more sizes of needles. For most quilting I use either 80/12 or 90/14 topstitch needles. The topstitch needles have a larger eye and work better with the heavier threads.
For cotton fabrics the sharp needles work best. For knits you'll need the ball point needles. You're supposed to be able to use universal needles on either type of fabric but I've found they just don't work all that great for either one.
For cotton fabrics the sharp needles work best. For knits you'll need the ball point needles. You're supposed to be able to use universal needles on either type of fabric but I've found they just don't work all that great for either one.
There are all sorts of charts to help select compatible threads and needles to go with certain types of fabrics.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Only the Shadow Knows........
Posts: 968
I've had 2 different Brother machines and the Schmetz from Walmart fit both of them. No idea about gage or anything like that. I use the ones with the smaller needles for piecing and the larger ones for quilting.
Can you tell I'm not with the Quilt Police, lol
Can you tell I'm not with the Quilt Police, lol
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