? For Long Arm owners re: needles
 

Do you use a size 18 needle most of the time or do you have a preferred size depending on the fabric? Do you use a size 16 and if so on what type fabric? I'm getting ready to do my first batik and I'm concerned because my machine co-owner is doing a batik now and is having problems with the quality of the stitches on some of the fabrics (she's using a size 18 needle).
Also how often do you change your needle ?

I use a mid arm.......I use smallest needle and every quilt gets a new needle. Note...most of my quilts are lap size.

i use Schmitz.....

I use 18 needles...batiks are tricky cause of the high thread count. I was told to use ball points. They have worked for me.

I have not yet longarmed an all batik quilt, but I think I would use the smallest needle which will give quality stitches, because I understand any holes which remain from frogging do not come out. Be very careful to completely avoid or minimize ripping out if at all possible. Regarding your second question, I put in a new needle with every large quilt (or after the equivalent in small quilts). If you wait too long to change your needle, the tip becomes dull, and you will end up with batting bearding through to the back of the quilt. It's very time consuming to poke all that batting back through the holes. (Voice of experience here.) Lesson learned. Never again.

I use a size 16 unless it is denim,home dec or batiks then I use an 18.

Your THREAD determines what needle size to use NOT your fabric. This is the case for LA and DSM. That said you may wish to choose a thread you can use a smaller size needle with for a Batik quilt top. I only use a size 18 when using King Tut thread. When using Glide thread I can use a size 14 needle. I also use a 14 when quilting with silk, Invisifil, and Bottom line (which I have used as a top thread). I use a size 16 when using Isacord, So Fine and most other 50 wt threads (Glide being the exception). When I quilted my Batik Block swap quilt, I used invisfil thread and a size 14 needle. http://www.quiltingboard.com/picture...t-t221823.html

I change needles with every bed size quilt unless I have done a panto, then I do two quilts. I may do several smaller items before changing. I keep a log on a bulletin board in my quilting room notating date I put the needle in, size of it and what I am working on to help me keep track.

Here are several good articles on needles by Dr. Bob at Superior threads
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...hread-to-shred
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...-needle-codes/
http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...rt-mr-needles/

I change my needle with every quilt. I use a size 18 with Permacore thread and a size 16 with Glide thread. These are the only 2 threads I use, therefore the only 2 sizes of needles I use. Recently when doing a batik quilt (all batiks front & back), I had to change the needle halfway through because it started shredding the Permacore thread. Needles are such a small expense as compared to everything else to do with quilting that I don't mind changing them often. I have a Gammill.

I use size 18 the most but keep other sizes on hand to use when needed. As feline fanatic explained size needed is determined by the thread and Superior Thread has great info on ther site.

I usually longarm with a lighter weight thread and use a size 16. (I've also occasionally used a size 14.) I know I "should" change my needle more often, but I don't seem to have any problems using them for a pretty long time.

Size 16 or 18 topstitch needle, King Tut thread, and with batiks, I find sometimes it helps to spritz the quilt with silicone spray.

Holes left by such a large needle always disappear with washing.

the type of fabric has nothing much to do with a needle choice- the needle is decided upon by the thread being used. if you visit Superior Threads you can print off a chart that tells you what needle to use with what thread. I use a 14 when using invisible or silk thread, a 16 when using 60 wt thread, an 18 if using heavier thread- but it all depends on what the recommended needle is for the thread I have chosen. the free charts from Superior Threads are really great resources to have. they explain the differences in threads, needles for long arm, domestic machine & hand stitching...a great place to find answers to many questions regarding threads and needles.

I use a 14 or 16, whatever is available, and change them when I start having problems with the thread shredding or I hear a sort of "popping" sound, which tells me the needle is getting dull. I've done 6 or 7 quilts with one needle! Needles are just something I don't deal with unless needed - I can't see wasting a perfectly good needle if it works LOL! Same with my DSM, as far as changing the needle.

I use Glide thread and a size 16 needle.

My long arm manufacturer recommends size 18 needles for everything.....I generally stitch with 40wt poly and occasionally with king tut cotton. The 18s work fine with them.

When I work with the thinner threads (so fine when I can get it to work) I use size 16. Havent tried using silk thread yet, so havent had a need for the smaller needles.

I will say this, I have heard all kinds of advice on how to work with batiks. From needle sizes, stitch lengths, thread types, how to prep for piecing and quilting. I have no idea where these "rules" come from to be honest. I work nearly exclusively with batiks (I love them :p ) and never do anything different with them than I do with the cotton fabrics.

My guess for these rules is that perhaps when batiks first came out they needed special handling, but the quality of batiks out now....I have never seen or ran into any issues with them. I would recommend just treating them like good quality quilting cotton unless you run into a problem.

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information. I've printed out the Superior Threads charts. It was recommended by my dealer to use a size 18 for everything but I knew that couldn't be right for all thread, especially when I started getting shredding.