I am new to the board and have been lurking for a while but finally had to post a question. I have decided to start quilting again after not being able to for a few years. I have made quilts in the past mostly by hand quilting and a bit of piecing on the machine. My grandmother taught me to hand quilt and that was all I knew for awhile. Sewing machines have always intimidated me but I have finally got up the courage to give it a try. I would like to start making my quilts on my machine with minimal hand quilting. Now I am trying to get more acquainted with my sewing machine and according to the quilting book I am planning to use I am supposed to use different size needles for different things. She gives the sizes for each step so that's not a problem. My problem is that I have no idea what needles to actually use. For instance the author says to start the project with and 80/12 Universal needle. All the needles for my machine come with just one number for the size (#11, #14 etc) and none of them say universal. Can I use another brand needle in order to match the size or do I have to stick with the brand of my machine?

I use the 11 quilting needles for piecing, and the 14 quilting or topstitch for thicker threads for quilting

#12 would be = to 80. what kind of machine do you have, most take any brand.
one number is european, one is i guess american. not sure which is which!

oh, hit send too soon. the size of needle depends on the project (fabric, thread...)

I don't think you have to stick with a particular brand, unless it's an older Singer. I've heard that the Singer needles are longer. I use Organ needles, and I use a 12 or 14 for piecing, and a 16 or 18 for quilting. An 80/12 is the same as a 12. You DON'T want to use a ball point or knit needle - they're hard on woven fabrics and make your machine work harder. I usually use a Top Stitch for piecing.

Superior Threads has an EXCELLENT page full of information on needles.

http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle

Everyone else has given you great info, so I will just welcome you to the board from Minnesota, and hope you find it as much fun as the rest of us do!

Unless they say ballpoint your size 80s are perfect. I use that needle for everything except denim jeans (14) and silky fabrics (9). My Elna prefers Schmertz, but my vintage Singer isn't fussy, except for FMQ, then she wants a Singer needle.

Welcome, MamaB! I'm Maia B, but also a mama :). I think a quilting or topstitching (basically the same) will be much better than a universal. My favorites are Superiors, which are made by Organ. Schmetz are good also. Definitely look at the Superior wesite, their info on matching threads and needles is excellent.

here is a link to a topic I posted on just this subject.
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-123199-1.htm
Hope that helps you out!

Welcome and glad you have decided to jump back in quilting!

welcome to the board from minnesota and happy quilting