Needed: Sewing machine needle advice
 

I need to change the needle in my sewing machine and all I have are 90/14 for machine quilting. I normally use 80/12 for piecing. I was wondering if I could use the 90/14 sizes for piecing?

Take care,
Mary

Give it a try and see how it looks to you.
I normally use a size 11 needle.

Size 14 and larger if I'm hemming jeans, etc.

Most of the time I've got 90/14 in mine. I haven't had any problems with it.

Of course you can!

I keep the same needle in my machine for piecing and quilting. there may be larger holes from the 90/14, but those holes disappear when the item is washed. i don't use batiks, though, so that might make a difference.

Oh my goodness! I'm fairly new to quilting and before that a very infrequent machine stitcher. I've been using 90/14's for everything...piecing, quilting, clothing alterations...how do you determine what size needle you should be using for various projects/fabrics? I know there are no police, but I'd like to know what the general needle guidelines are. Can you help, please? (of course you can...this board helps with EVERYTHING!)

The weight and ply of your thread determines the needle size. It took me a long time to understand needle and thread sizes do make a difference.

I use all purpose thread mostly and 100% cotton fabric...but some fabric has a looser weave than others. I don't even know what the numbers of the needle sizes mean. I think the machine came with 90/14 so that's what I always buy.

I use a size 10. An older quilter told me once a 14 leaves to big of a hole for piecing.

Using a needle incompatible with your thread can cause sewing issues. I keep a supply of all needle sizes so they are "free" when I need to change the needles.

I do the same!!!!

That is what I have in my sewing machine right now for piecing. For 2 1/2 years I had the worst problems with thread breakage with my new machine. Finally I went to my dealer and he said I was using 40 wt. thread and needed 90 needle. I tried it and it worked. No thread breakage again. You need to match you thread and needle to each other. Go to www.superiorthreads.com and go to their University and read about size of needle and weight of thread. You'll be glad you did.

Thank you very much, Jeanne. I printed out their article and the reference guide. They're just what I was looking for.

machine needles sizes are kind of (dependant) on the thread being used- larger needles will create larger holes-
visit the Superior Threads web site- they have free charts you can print off telling you about all the different needles/sizes-what they are best suited for; and also all the different threads, sizes/weights, which needle to use and their best purpose===it is a valuable resource to have.
as for your situation- try it & see, you don't mention what thread you are using- but it will probably be fine.

I use 90/14 on all my cottons, only change for thin or very heavy fabric and I have never had a problem.

Superior threads has a great website to show you what size needle you need for what size thread. Like was stated above, it's the thread type and weight that dictates the needle size.

Could you tell us which article this is.....there are so many it was overwhelming! TIA!

For piecing I use a 75/11 quilting needle. I use either Aurifil or Prescencia thread for piecing and it's thin. It makes for more accurate seam allowances.

If a 14 needle is working for you with your machine, then keep using that. Most of the time I use a 70 or 80 needle when piecing. I like the 10 needle the best, and like Aurifil thread which is a 50 weight, but a thinner one. As long as your machine is happy that is what matters...and that you are getting accurate seams.