I have had this same question. I bought #10 and I keep breaking them and bending them. I finally gave up and am using a #20. I quilt in an unconventional way so it is working for me now. I can get 10-12 stitches per inch most of the time. I am going to try the 11 John James that Bluphrog uses and see if it works for me.

You all are wonderful! Thanks for the suggestions. I'm sure I just need to practice (and practice!) more.

I use quilting and sharps for handquilting and piecing - the size is whatever needle is in good shape on my pincushion. I've never found it made any difference what type or size I used.

I'm a thumb quilter and put quite a bit of pressure on my needle when hand quilting. I've found that the two best brands, hands down!, are Roxanne and Foxglove Cottage by Jeana Kimball.

I actually prefer Jeana Kimball's -- they are strong and consistent in size and strength.

I can't remember how many different brands I've bought -- TONS -- and found that half would break immediately, the other half bend, and the eye would be "clipped" or bent or otherwise distorted. They don't seem to be consistent in the package. And sizing is different, too.

I use a size 10. If I know I'm going to be quilting over a lot of seams, I'll go up to a size 9. The extra length and circumference of a bigger needle helps you make more consistent stitches across seams.

Blessings!

I started out with a #9 and now use John James or Roxanne #11 or 12, makes small stitches.

Happy quilting,
simple quilter

Has anyone tried the Thimblelady needles? I loved her thimble so much, the following year I bought a line of her needles. Havn't tried them yet. Had so many of others.

I love her needles. I use them for piecing (medium size) and for needle-turn applique (large size).

I use a platium #10 or #11, which ever one I get to first.

never heard of the Thimblelady needles so I did a search and found this link

http://www.softexpressions.com/softw...ks/4FF0852.php

and link for the needles

http://www.thimblelady.com.au/produc...etCurrencyId=2

video to watch (scroll down to find the video)

http://www.thimblelady.com.au/pages/...ucts-demo.html