Would like to try "stabbing" method of hand quilting and saw in an old mag, an ad for double-ended needles. Tried to Google for them, but to no avail. Anyone know where to get them? Or has used them?

Thanks again, friends

I have one, but have never used it.

When I first learned to quilt (100 years ago!) my teacher had them--don't know where to get them now though. She did have a method where you didn't have to bury the knot though, she left a long tail, sewed in one direction then rethreaded the needle with the tail and sewed in the opposite direction!

Hi Bernie, I too have learned that at the hand quilting class I took. Start at the middle and leave half the thread behind and once finished the first end, thread the other end and go the oppisite way.

google John James Twin Pointed Stab Stitch Needles.

the thing to remember is that having the eye in the middle makes the needles very fragile. make sure you don't hold the needle by the eye.

there are instructions on the back of the packages. it really pays to follow those instructions. they're pricey, but i recommend you buy at least one extra pack for practice.

don't ask how i came to that conclusion. :lol:

Yup! :lol:

Ahh, I looked up needles and didn't see them.. I will look them up again by John James... I am curious.

Check www.123stitch.com and in the search I put John James. Several sizes which would you use for this?

the higher the number, the thinner the needles will be.

thinner needles (size 10 if they have them) will be easier to poke through the layers, but will be most fragile.

i wouldn't recommend anything bigger than a size 8. they should work well if your hand-quilting muscles are well developed.

Patrice, they (123stitch) are only showing sizes 22 - 28. They are under $3 for a 3 pk. I've never hand quilted before and would like to try the "push-pull" method.

Thanks for the info on fragility!

Those old magazines that I couldn't sell are sure leading me to some unusual searches! Like the one for the Universal presser foot lifter. (no longer sold)