Is there some rule regarding this?

I think the "rule" is every 8 hours, I changed when I see the need

when it breaks or i can hear it popping through fabric

I wouldn't say there is a specific rule, but I change mine whenever I start having issues; usually the first thing I do if I start with the thread breaking or any other problem.

I use a new needle with every new large project. I wouldn't change a needle every tablerunner,placemat, but with every lap sized or larger quilt. I also change needles from piecing to quilting as well.

Like my rotary blade, probably not often enough, until there is an obvious problem :roll: :D:D:D

When it breaks!! And it hardly ever does.

When I feel I really need to, which is not often enough. :-D

I change at least every 6 hours of sewing time, or sometimes less....avoids many problems!

I can tell the difference in sound on the machine when the needle gets dull (I just heard that sound again). So time to change the needle.

Probably not often enough.....

Me too! I am ashamed to say I've had a serger (past tense-got a new one!) for 8 years and never broke or changed those needles - probably still in there! :( I grew to hate that machine...
I plan to be kinder to my machines in 2011!

the recommendation for needle life is change it with every new project or every 8 hours of sewing time - which ever comes first. some fabrics are a little (rough) on needles though and you may need to change it sooner. also if you hit a pin or a foot and bend the needle it should be changed. :thumbup:

Ditto!

When it breaks or when my machine starts to 'clunk'!! I know the rules - but ............. :oops:

Same here :D

YEP...... I have found that if I run my needle thru the " sharpening" fob on my pin cushion , it seems to start sharp longer....

When I hear that certain crunch sounds when it hit's the fabric!

If I could buy needles without driving 100 miles round trip I would change more often but tend to hoard them so only change if there is a problem.

When it bends or breaks! lol

LOL! Me too!

I take it out and run it through an emery when I have to change the bobbin! I also clean out the bobbin race area at this time....

You're supposed to change them?

Oh, maybe I should next time I sit down with it. You're sure you need to change them?

i change after every quilt..

not often enough

I have to smile when people talk about changing needles. I think I probably change more often than necessary, but it can avert a lot of problems. The local repairman is also a friend and he always puts a new needle in when he works on a machine. It adds 60 cents to the bill. One lady demanded to know why he put in a new needle when she had not authorized it. She told him that there was nothing wrong with the needle that in it and anytime it was little dull her husband would sharpen it for her. She had been using the same one for 20 years. He put the old needle back in and removed the 60 cents. Don't know how many more times it could be sharpened since the tip was nearly up to the eye.:)

As soon as I hear the popping sound that tells me the needle is blunt and the changing is overdue.

I got loads with my second-hand Pfaff, so at the moment I've got the luxury of changing it for every new project. I ruined two when I tried to sew on adhesive velcro. I didn't realise it was the glue til it happened the second time-durrr! Never again!
Annie

Ok, sorry this one makes me smile too. I'm old school and always keep my machines cleared of lint. My uncle's wife told me that she had never cleaned her machine and saw no need for it. Of course, she only made dresses(same pattern) and only used polyester knits!

Probably because you never changed the needle. When you think how fast and how many times that needle penetrates fabric, it should probably changed more often than a regular sewing machine.

A bad needle can mess up the computer machines so I do change often I have found my needles last longer with prewashed fabric getting rid of all chemicals also when quilting polyester batting dulls the needle faster than cotton

I change mine every 8 to 10 hours........sometimes there is a burr that is so small you cannot see it, but it does, even minutely, impact your stitch quality.

not nearly enough I'm afraid...sometimes when one breaks I think, when did I change last. LOL

Can you make some suggestions about the needles to use for piecing and for quilting? I need insight on this? Thanks!!!

I don't think there are any rules on changing needles, but they are relativly cheap and I usually try to change after every big project, just keeps from causing problems

Wheno I hear the popping or start getting a bad stitch.

I change my needles at the start of a new piecing project and then put in a fresh needle when I start to quilt.

I always change the needle every time I start a new quilt. If I am sewing a king or queen size quilt I change it half way.

I was told to change my needle for every new large project or after sewing denim, flannel or paper piecing but I don't change it unless it breaks :-(

wow. I hadn't ever thought about this. I can't remember the last time I changed my needle - probably if it broke, I know I have changed it just can't say when.

After reading this, I'll be starting my new year out with a new needle on my machine. :)