How often do you change your needle on your machine?

On my embroidery machine I change them after about 8 hrs of sewing or if I am doing regular sewing on it I change before I do embrooidery work. I try to find them as cheap as I can because I change so often.

Not often enough ... then when I change it, I think how nicely all is working and that I will change it more often. Easier, said than done! :)

about every 20 hours or so. not that i actually keep track, but when i'm sewing all day for days on end, i change it about every 3rd day. so about 20 is right. after machine quilting, i throw out that needle.

Since I have to go 100 miles round trip to even buy needles not often enough.

I'm terrible at changing needles!!!

not as often as recommended

i change when i hear a difference in the sound of the machine, you'll learn to listen to your machine. when PP more often.

Whenever I start a new project.

the recommedation is:
after every 8 hours of sewing or
at the start of each new project--

and it is recommended that you clean your machine (under the bobbin & surface) with EVERY BOBBIN CHANGE.

if you follow these two recommendations you will cut down on alot of aggrivation during your projects :thumbup:

This is great advice and what I do. And it's not only the aggravation that will reduce, it's also strain on the motor of your machine. I also use Schmetz needles which are very good quality - I can't get them locally so I buy a few packs at a time mail order - perhaps Up North you could do that? :-D

I have Brother I got years ago and it sews and sews on one needle,no skipping..then I have another sewing machine if I don't change often I will have skipped stitches and ..it sounds strange.
now my new Singer embroidery machine ..I am not sure of yet.
I am still learning.

It also depends what you're sewing I find - poly wadding, applique through fusible and paper piecing will blunt a needle in no time but piecing cotton is less damaging.

now that is good to know
:thumbup:

One thing that I am not good with ... is knowing which size of needle to use for which projects.

Most always, just use the same needle ....... though I know it's wrong!

It depends on the thread and the fabric - I use in general a 75/11 for piecing but a 70/10 for batik, an 80/12 for quilting with up to 50 wt thread and a 90/14 for thicker and decorative thread. I use a special metallic needle for metallic thread and I ONLY use Schmetz. :-D

Me too

Thanks! I need to be more vigilant to do the switch around!1 :)