Hand Quilting Needles
 

Ladies, those of you who hand quilt, what needles do you prefer or are the best?

Right now I prefer John James size 11 betweens. I can't say they're the best - the ones you like most will be the best. I try them all, and I've been known to change my mind!

Janet

I'm with Hinterland.

I love to hand quilt. Everyone here was really pushing the betweens, and I tried them. They did not work for me.

Finally found that 7's work well for me. I can get the thread through the eye, and they are long enough to take a few stitches at a time. I know that the ones I use are larger than most people use, but they work for me.

Just keep trying different ones, until you find something that works well for you.

I am not a pro, but on my last quilt, I used Clover Black and Gold-10. I really liked the way they moved through the fabric, but the eyes were so small (I mean-word I can't write here-small), I could not thread them. I broke at least 5 needle threaders. I switched to Fons and Porter, used a 9 and finished smoothly from there.

I'm with amh. The betweens didn't work for me. I just kept trying needles till I found one I liked. Don't remember the size or type but it works for me. You need to find out what works for you.

I found that I LOVE using the betweens size 10, I also have size 9
of course the only hand sewing I REALLY do is making yo-yos.

My daughter prefers a larger needle (sizes 5 to 7).

I make sure to keep a LARGE supply of needle threaders on hand.

T,

I have a SMALL box almost ready to mail I will send you some of my needles.

I use Roxanne 10 or 11 betweens and like them alot. Definitely need to use their threaders with them though. I've also used and like the longer Thimblelady needles and like them as well but find they can be a bit bendy. But I use W&N batting so that might be the explanation for that.

I just got a package of Dritz Sharps sizes 3-9. I plan to use whatever is the largest. I have a tough time with the itsy bitzy needles. I am so afraid those tiny things will snap in half and lodge in my hand.