It seems that I'm bending every single needle I use. One afternoon of quilting and its time for a new one. I don't remember what brand these are but I got them at Michaels. Is there a brand that won't bend?

it just doesn't feel right to me though! It goes in the fabric at the wrong place and annoys me.....maybe I'm just picky..lol!

i have always used Roxanne needles that come in a little bottle..and never have a problem. I hand quilt all time.

If it is happening while you are quilting, you may need a bigger needle.

I bend needles all the time. Doesn't matter what type of needle or what brand, after 3-6 hours of using a needle I have to throw it away and get a new one out. Trust me, if you are like me and continually bend needles, it's best to just stock up and trade them out as needed. :wink:

I too bend needles all the time.

I bent one last night so badly that it looked like a "c"...and I was only trying to thread it :oops:

:oops: you are all talking about hand quilting :oops:

Yep, I bend my hand quilting needles all the time. Try to keep using them until they break :lol: :lol: -- Which reminds me that I need to make a visit to the LQS to see if I can find some more that I like :D

If the needles aren't flexible enough to bend, they will snap...trust me.

I have trouble bending needles and I'm just sewing on my binding. Strong fingers I guess.

The shorter betweens don't seem to bend as quickly.

I agree, I use to bend my needles all the time . Then I started using betweens, and they hold up alot better.

Maybe I need to check my needle. I can't remember when I replaced it last!

We ARE talking about hand quilting, right? I love my needle when it's bent, eventually it snaps and I have to 'train' another one. Mine are Clover size 10 quilting needles - quite a good brand I think, but still they bend. I think they get warm while you're sewing that's why they bend, but I wouldn't worry about it. I used to use a size 9 and they didn't bend as much. :-D

well...I'll try a between again. I've just had a hard time holding on to them. I had some surgery on my right hand a few years back and this winter for some reason it is giving me trouble. The middle knuckle is a bit swollen and just stiff and a little sore. I'm sure its just some arthritis in it and have been trying to compensate for it. Me going to the doctor involves someone having to hogtie me first and since dh is gone all week no one else is willing to try that little feat@

Hi Ginnie - I googled around a bit and came across this discussion on another forum http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load...440019838.html

The lady here seems to recommend Dritz size 10s which are less bendy and have a bigger eye. Hope it helps. :-D

I use betweens, size 11, when hand quilting. My poor arthritic fingers simply can't handle a size 12 anymore. I bend them all the time. I'll be sewing along and suddenly realize I've got a good 35 degree bend in it. If my stitched continue to remain relatively even I don't worry about it, but sometimes it bends the wrong direction and my stitches simply won't come out even. That's when it is time to throw it away and grab a new one. I bend them so much I usually keep at least 3-4 packages of new needles at all times.

I have not bent one in quite a while, but I do use larger needles.

OK, I just consulted with my EXPERT hand quilter and she immediately knew what the problem is. Your quilt is too tight/taut in the hoop. Loosen the screw and push in the center just enough to make the quilt stop springing. That will fix the problem.

And, be sure that your thumb is in the claw position in front of the needle when you are loading your needle/making your stitches.

But I don't use a hoop and I still bend needles.... :oops:

Joyce, you just don't know your own strength!

:mrgreen: :-D

You should check this out (scroll down just a little for the video): http://www.jeansimpressions.com/
I've used an Aunt Becky's thimble for years but only as an 'underfinger' protector
--my top hand quilted in the normal way. Jean's method seems so much easier, although I haven't tried it yet.

OK k3n -- another one of those answers where I should not have had a mouth full of coffee :lol: :lol: :lol:

I have a hard time threading the betweens...DD bought me a needle threader and never got it out of the package. LOL I use a longer thinest needle I can find...works for me but my stitches aren't really that tiny

can you put in a picture of what you use under the quilt...would love to see it..

Cathy, thats an interesting video..I've seen those Aunt Becky tools, but never tried it. Boy, an experienced hand quilter can sure make it look and sound easy can't they? :D

I used to have problems with my needles bending (and breaking!) but I switched to Roxanne needles. I use a size 11 between. Takes a good long time before I bend one but I typically have about 6 threaded at a time so as one runs out of thread I grab the next one. Maybe the constant switching between 6 needles is keeping me from bending them? I love the Roxanne needles they are nice and sharp and seem to last a long time but they are a B***h to thread! Luckily my quilting light has a magnifier attachment.

I really think its just these needles as this is a recent thing. These are just really flexible. I'm going to try some Roxanne needles as soon as I have some extra moolah!

I also bend needles all the time. I have used Dritz, John James and a few others, sizes 7,8,9 and 10s. I also have the Aunt Becky tool and have tried using that, but just can not get use to the quilt being loose. I might try like someone above has mentioned and use it only as a under thimble. I have also tried using the quilter's helper which looks like a spoon and using that I break my needles. I just need more practice, practice with the Aunt Becky tool.

I don't either. I lap quilt - no hoop, no frame. My mother got me a frame for Christmas (missing all the bolts :roll: ) so I may put some of my larger quilts on the frame, but I imagine I'll still lap quilt anything that is a twin size or smaller. Now, I do have both arthritis and fibromyalgia and often my fingertips are numb. I can easily see where I might be gripping my needles too tightly, but if I don't I drop them, which gets frustrating.problem.

I always forget to thread more than one needle. Someone mentioned that the heat from our hands is likely what is bending the needles and I can easily see that for me. I bet threading several needles would help with that. Thanks!

I used to bend hand needles ( 12 betweens) all the time. They were Peacemakers brand. I changed to Roxanne's and now use a size 10 between ( easier to thread) and don't have any trouble at all. Just change them out when they get dull.

LOL...did hubby tick you off?

I was thinking maybe you need a 'shorter' needle, instead of longer. I've never had this problem. I guess us meeces don't put a lot of muscle...oh yeah...my needle is magic...there's the difference :lol:

I just started using straw needles.....I don't know much about them but they seem to work really well for me...mine are #9
They are longer and my stitches are smaller and my fingers are more relaxed. The container I bought at the LQS was three dollars for about 12......I was using #7 tweens various brands and they bent a lot... :-)

Very funny!~~ Magic needle....it isn't the muscle...its the bad eyesight...got any magic eyeballs???



:lol: :lol:

For putting binding on I use the straw needles size 10 and I love them. But for hand quilting I use John James Betweens size 10 and never had a problem. Just my input Marge

So glad this needle bending discussion has come up:)I just helped a friend on a repair...she fixed, I hand quilted and I went thru 2 needles...both gone now..both bent! I did get'r done...but, you would have thought the little part of quilting would have not been such a 'bender'....and, I used no hoop to do this...but, like that tidbit on if it is in a hoop..it could be too tight...I've prob done that before too:)

I use size 8 quilting betweens, no hoop. The smaller the needle the less they bend.

I love reading how many of you also lap quilt. I swear the gals in my guild act like I'm performing some magic act by not using a frame or a hoop. :lol:

Yeah, I kind of get the same response. My friends just look at me and shake their heads.....then compliment me on my small stitches :lol: :lol: :lol: