your right Honey, i change my needle after every project too..

they can get scratched and cause pulls.

Yes, needles get dull or slightly bent. The first thing to do if your stitching isn't right is to check your threading on your machine and then to change your needle. If the thread is fraying, perhaps your needle isn't inserted in it's position perfectly or you need a larger needle size. I remember when I first got my sewing machine, the dealer told me to change my needle after 3 hours of sewing with it. Also, if when sewing you start to hear sort of a "plunking" noise instead of no noise, that's another indication you need a new needle.

Lots of good information here. Thanks for the website link!

Good answers!!! I will indeed make sure to check for drag, bending etc.
Mimisharon knows what all the poly/dbl.knit sewing is all about. Yes, I'm still working on those blankets. My time schedule got away from me due to some illness and a stay in the hospital.

So far, I've done several blankets 30 , 9 patches each (15 front 15 back) all of poly/dbl knit and no problems with the needle (now knocking on wood). Thanks for the web site, I'll check that out. Not a beginner sewer/seamstress, still kinda a newbie quilter though. But, there's always something new to learn while reading, even if it's a refresher.

Terri, nice being able to post every now and again too!! I sure missed everyone!

superior threads web site link below has alot of information on needles and thread

http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...e-right-needle

I use the ball point Stretch needles for free motion on quilts (woven fabrics & cotton batting), because of the longer scarf (sp?) the thread lies better & prevents loopies & broken threads. It does a fantastic job & stays sharp, or should that be dull & round?-LOL, for hours of free motion.

I would send a question like that to www.schmetz.com and see what they have to say about it. They have lots of good info on their website about the different machine needles and what they are used for. They may respond with a good answer that you can share with all of us.

I have used ball piont needles for years, use to use them lots when sewing garments years ago. My Juki calls for only organ needles and that is all I use. I have other machines I can use them on, but, don't use those machines. I change needles more now then I did now. Maybe cotton is harder on needles or quality of needles different?

Don't ever think a question is silly if we can learn from the answers. Yes, ball point needles will and do become dull. They are made for knit fabrics so a hole isn't made piercing the fabric the needle moves between the weave of the fabric. I would not recommend using them for cotton fabric as they will make holes in the fabric because the tip has too round of a point, and the cotton fabrics have a tighter weave. Hope this helps?

Suzy