KathyC9511

I am inThe process of hand quilting my full size grandmother's flower garden quilt. My question is, how often should I change to a new needle? I am using 100% cotton batting.

carolaug

When you start to have problems trying to get the needle into the material. You will know...

Hinterland

I usually change after I notice a bend in them from gripping the needle...or after about 8 hours.

Janet

Jan in VA

Needles also 'lose' their color from the oils and such on your hands. That, a slight bend, or when they 'drag' through the fabric, is when I change my needle.

Jan in VA

dakotamaid

My grandma, who taught me to quilt, always said when the needle got a bend in it that was when she did her best quilting cause it fit her hand!! LOL!! Honestly, I agree with Jan.

Minerva1

Kathy, I change my needle when it starts to drag. Good luck with the project. I'm presently hand quilting my great-grandmother's GFG. I started November 2011 and still working on it. Of course, it was just too warm this summer to hand quilt.

Pat625

I usually change my needle when it breaks...I like the bend in it...it seems to help me keep smaller stitches...I guess I tend to break them before they drag

LivelyLady

Same here......the bend does make smaller stitches for me, too.

jeanharville

That is so interesting that some of you can sew better with a bent needle. I'm trying to learn to hand quilt and it feels so awkward and clumsy. I've never used a thimble before and that is the worst part.

DOTTYMO

I usually start with only 18 inches of thread on about 10 needles. They seem to last a long time because I keep using a new one. Have a go it will be a succses or not for you . This tip was from famous hand quilters in UK.