Needles for Hand Quilters
 

Keepsake Quilting has Roxanne #10 between needles and #10 sharp needles. Does anyone know the difference and has anyone used either of these needles?

If I recall correctly, betweens are used for hand quilting and sharps are used for applique or regular sewing.

Do the #10 betweens make it easier to quilt since you're going through material and batting?

If you google "hand sewing needle types" - you will get lots of places to look

Betweens are shorter in length than sharps. Betweens have a round eye. I don't remember what shape the eye is in a sharp. I know that embroidery needles have elongated eyes.

A finer (thinner) needle is easier to push through the layers (as long as it doesn't bend).

The numbering system of hand needles: The larger the number, the thinner and smaller the needle.

Which do you find works for me with the hand quilting?

For hand quilting order the Roxanne between needles.

I use a size 11 but a 10 is fine, don't be shocked when you see how tiny they are!

Everyone else has answered your question
My piece to add is that I use both needles for everything - which ever one is handy

I use Roxanne's betweens for my handquilting. I use either #10 or #11 all the time - prefer the 11's but sometimes they get a little bendy. And yes, they are TINY! Check the prices at Colonial Needle as well. That's where I usually get mine. Great prices and service. Unless you're getting other stuff at Keepsake. Have had good service from them as well.

I can easily thread (usually) a #10 needle, #11 is still (usually) manageable.

Those #12 betweens go through most fabrics so easily - but I have a hard time threading them.

I also use either - sometimes it's which one I find first - other times, it's whichever one I can get threaded!

I'm not a 'real' handquilter - so don't take what I say overly seriously. When I took a class, the instructor recommended the #11 James betweens. They did work well.

Is the Roxanne between needle #10 the same as any #10 needle?

I'm a firm believer in John James #11 quilting needles. Have used for years with good results

i'm one of those who pretty much never use the betweens===they are just too dog-gone tiny- i prefer a longer needle- i like sharps- sometimes i even use milner's (which are quite a bit longer)
betweens are the (traditional) hand quilting needles- but not everyone likes using a needle that is less than an inch long- some of us like them longer- and it probably has a little to do with what you are taught with- since i started sewing garments- i was used to using longer larger needles when i started quilting. if you start sewing as a quilter you may learn to use the smaller ones- it is of course a personal choice & you can use what ever works for you- allowing you to accomplish what you want to accomplish. :)

Any brand type and number will probably be similar - Example: A James #10 between needle will be similar to a Roxanne #10 between needle - even though there are probably subtle differences.

The same size needle in a different style will be different: A James #11 straw needle will be a lot longer than a James #11 between needle.

Maybe this will help you get the idea:

Think of a demitasse spoon, teaspoon, tablespoon/soup spoon, large serving spoon - they are all spoons, but come in different sizes.

The 'between' needle would be the demitasse spoon, the straw needle would be a teaspoon, needles for crewel work would be the soup spoon, a large canvas repair needle would be the large serving spoon.

Maybe this helped answer your question?

Thanks, that really put it in perspective. Think I'll probably go with the James Jones Miliner #10.