Just curious if you could use one of these self threading needles when hand quilting or does the thread tend to come out of the eye?

Their is a spiral eyed needle that is supposed to keep the thread from pulling out of the eye.

Here is a topic about them, the creater of them posted here too :D:D:D

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-30679-1.htm

No, even the spiral eye needles tend to snag the batting and pull it through to the surface and make it beard out on you (any kind, cotton, wool, poly...) . I wouldn't recommend using a self threading needle for quilting, just for quick mends like sewing on a button or burying threads.

here's another discussion of them
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-137735-1.htm

Thanks you, I guess I wont buy them.

One member told about this trick and it really saves my patience! For some reason I always was having trouble with the needle pulling off the thread. Just a regular large-eye quilting between. Might want to try it: