I used to have this same problem when I first started hand quilting.. I would either bend them or break them.. I learned that I had the fabric in the hoop too tight.. that will break even the best needle.

Since then I have learned to quilt hoopless. I enjoy the process much more, can get smaller stitches and NEVER break a needle any more.

....So, JC, do you pin or baste before quilting? I really love hoopless quilting but need to do more basting....and get new safety pins....

Has anyone mentioned that you can run the needle through you hair every once in awhile to remove the static. We used to do this with diaper pins all the time. My fifth child was over a year before Pampers so I had and washed seven dozen diapers every other day. Sometimes resorted to receiving blankets for the overniters.

Anyway ...running a pin or needle through your hair will make it slide through the material better.

I would try some different needles, as you mentioned. I really like John James and Piecemakers. I get lots and lots of use with them.

i use Roxanne or john james needles, i use straws or millners because i like them longer, never could really use those teeny-tiny short needles. but have not had too much trouble with bending/breaking. and as far as your sandwich in the frame...it needs to be smooth, no wrinkles...but not tight. that sounds as if it is your problem

The only time I find myself bending needles is if I load to many and am doing a curved pattern.

I pin baste if I am going to quilt on my sewing machine, but for hand quilting I thread baste using a big herringbone with the stitches about 2 inches apart.

I have a couple things in common with you. I am a hand quilter, use a qsnap frame and Dritz needles. I bend needles, and throw them out before they break. I am going to switch to better needles ( didnt know there was such a thing) and follow the other advice of everyone. Thanks for the question, i love the answers!!