Hi! I always bought my needles for quilting at Walmart, but I see from several posts that there are better needles at the quilt shop. Can you please tell me what type or brand to look for?
Thanks in Advance!

I assume you are asking about hand quilting needles. Is this correct. Any needle that slides through fabric easily and is comfortable to hold is ok. Betweens are for hand quilting. Don't buy the assorted pack that has size 3-9 or 4-10 or whatever because you will use only the smaller sizes and never the larger. I prefer the English made needles because I believe they are stronger. I am told they are all made in the same factory in England. I don't have this info first hand. I do not buy the "designer" labeled needles because they are regular needles with a new name. My sister prefers the Colonial needles, she is a hand quilter. I like the Thomas and usually get size 9.
Thomas has an assorted pack of betweens that is a good value because it contains sizes 8 , 10, 11 ande 12. I recommend new hand quilters to get this and work down from largest (8) to the size that is comfortable. Other brands you can get at LQS or JoAnns are Hennings, Colonial and of course the Thomas.

The company Holice just mentioned is Entaco and they produce several brands of needles, John James and Richard Hemmings for example. I prefer John James 11 because it is a short and strong needle.
I agree that it's a good idea to purchase a set of needles (betweens) with different sizes, you can try them out and find the right one for your material and your way of quilting.

I only hand quilt and hand applique and have been for 27 years.

You can get good handquilting needles at stores like JoAnns and Hancocks too. I also prefer the English brand. You need to fine the size that works best for you. Most of the time I use the real tiny betweens # 11s and 12s. But the most popular seems to be #9 and 10.

I have several brands I like. I agree don't buy the multi size pack, most of them you probably won't use. I also like the English brands. One of my favorites is Richard Hemming. I also like colonials and John James. I really have never used brands like dritz for hand quilting so really don't have an opinion.

why do they call them betweens? And what does John James Pebbles mean?

I also wondered why quilting needles were called "betweens" too! :D

From what I remember, they are called betweens because they are smaller, shorter needles. Maybe they were origionally sizes that were between the longer needle sizes.I will research this unless somebody else knows the answer.

Ditter

Wow, you guys are FAST with your advice! Thats why I love this board so much!

I try different brands all the time, just in case I find something better. My current favorites are size 11, sold by Anita Shackelford. They're pricey but worth it. I've also had good luck with Roxanne's.

I am a John James of England size 11 kinda girl! 8-)