Needle manufacturers don't make a dozen different type of needles. One type may have several different names. Check this out for the difference between topstitch needles which are for piecing and universal needles. http://www.superiorthreads.com/educa...iversal-needle

Define "bad." Who knew there were a gazillion different kinds of machine needles! I use universal needles for everything, unless I'm using the double needle, which probably is just two universal needles in the gizmo that holds them. I do declare that the simplest things can be made impossible by too much emphasis on what seems to me to be a minor proposition. If they work, don't break your thread, make bird nests on the back, etc., sew with them. froggyintexas

My thought is to use whatever works for you.

Thanks to all for the good information on needle choice.

I often use whatever is in the machine.

A trick to sharpen a needle. Inclose a brilo pad in a 4" sq. Unthread the needle & stitch it back & forth 4-5 times. I use this trick all the time. I keep a (sharp) needle a long time. Rowena101:thumbup:

I use Topstitch needles.

I'm just now trying the quilting needles after all these years. Can't tell any difference.

This is how I understand it should be as well -- use universal for piecing and the quilting needle which can accomodate a thicker thread for quilting.

I use tiny black needles, but use whatever you are comfortable with .

Beginner10,
A quilting needle is for when you do the quilting of the finished quilt top and layered with batting and backing. For piecing I use a sharp or a microtex 80/12, don't use quilting thread for piecing either. I use a 50wt. cotton thread for piecing.

i use topstitch needles for everything