Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Main
Needle help with making rag quilts >

Needle help with making rag quilts

Needle help with making rag quilts

Old 08-02-2012, 02:25 AM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3
Default Needle help with making rag quilts

I have been sewing for about 2 yrs now i wouldnt call me good or anything but i know a good bit about sewing, but everytime i come around to making a rag quilt and get to the point of putting all the rows together and get to the junction where all 4 layers meet together my needle always breaks or bends. What am I doing wrong I was told to use jean needles for this so i went and bought some but i havent tried them out yet was in the process of moving right when i purchased them so now i have a rag quilt project thats actually using old jeans. Help me out with this. Have I gotten the right needles this time or is it something else causing my needles to break or bend. thanks in advance sheena
sligman is offline  
Old 08-02-2012, 03:24 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: New York City/Manhattan
Posts: 1,316
Default

you need a really big needle and slow speed to sew through that thick a seam. Try a quilting needle, maybe size 90. And be sure you're not pushing or pulling the fabric which could cause the needle to bend (only a minute amount) and hit the throat plate instead of going through the hole to pick up the bobbin thread.
nycquilter is offline  
Old 08-02-2012, 03:32 AM
  #3  
Super Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Coastal Georgia
Posts: 1,508
Default

I'm the rag quilt queen around here and I have never had problems with needles breaking. Key is to make sure you don't pull your fabric through and allow it to go through by itself. I don't use any special needles and to be honest have no clue as to what size needle I have on my machine. Only thing I know for sure is that they are Titanium type needles. That may make a difference don't know.
clsurz is offline  
Old 08-02-2012, 03:42 AM
  #4  
Power Poster
 
BellaBoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Front row
Posts: 14,646
Default

I cut a square out of each block corner the size of the seam before sewing. It eliminates all the bulk at the corners.
BellaBoo is offline  
Old 08-02-2012, 03:53 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: kannapolis, nc
Posts: 392
Default

Originally Posted by BellaBoo View Post
I cut a square out of each block corner the size of the seam before sewing. It eliminates all the bulk at the corners.
Thanks for the tip, I will try it. I use a big needle, either a denim or a large size regular needle. I use which ever I have. You have to go slow and don't pull the fabric or push it through. I also have started using a basting stitch above my stitching line to baste down the seam allowances before I sew the rows together. I set a card table up beside me to hold the weight of the quilt.
ragquilter is offline  
Old 08-02-2012, 08:14 AM
  #6  
Super Member
 
Dolphyngyrl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Southern California
Posts: 6,254
Default

are you using a walking foot. Maybe try a titanium topstiching needle, supposedly those can be used for almost anything. At least that is what superior claims. Also it can also be your machine, some machines are better at going through multiple layers. The cheaper machines have a harder time especially if not using a walking foot. The higher end machines can go through many layers without the aid of a walking foot
Dolphyngyrl is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
b.zang
Main
8
10-22-2019 04:48 AM
salmonsweet
Main
5
01-14-2011 01:31 AM
66sadie
Main
4
03-28-2010 08:30 AM
sunnyhope
Main
18
09-14-2009 07:48 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter