help bent needles
 

I hand quilt quite a bit and my stiches are small and I am having a problem with the needles bending and having to get a new one. I buy ditz and others but none seems to stand up my quilting. What would be a strong and good needle to use?

Are you talking about hand quilting or machine quilting?

I have had good luck with John James gold eye needles. Also check to make sure you have a little "play" in the quilt. Stretched too tight quilt can cause bent needles, or rocking the needle instead of the fabric can be a problem.

I use Gold Eye too, size 12. Maybe take a couple of stitches less at a time? I only load the needle up with about 3 or 4 stitches at a time. I also use a hoop, not sure if that makes a difference or not. When I get into thick areas, i do one stitch at a time. (I think it might be called "stab stictching?" Push the needle all the way thru to the bottom, then bring it up again. That way, I don't bend my needles as often.

I use John James Gold eye/ golden glide. I use a pvc frame, in which I loosen up once I know I have no lumps or such. THis allows me to use the rocking motion needed. I have had horrible experiences with other needles, working the same way!

I use Roxanne needles. The #11's don't seem to bendy but the #12's - well that's a different story! Just make sure if you're going to use Roxanne's - especially the smaller ones, you'll truly need their needle threaders as well. A clover or other threader does NOT fit through those tiny eyes!