Is it really BAD to use regular needle instead of quilting needle???
 

Hi...well I am just about to embark machine piecing my first top...nervous as everything.
Anyway....as I am reading different posts here and articles, I find I don't have "quilting" needles, just the everyday (I guess they are called "universal") needles.
So my question to all you veteran machine piecing people...is it BAD if I DON'T use a quilting needle?? I am using all cotton fabric.
All help appreciated.
Thank-you:)

No its not BAD!!! I have used universal with no problem, and can not tell the diffrence of finished product. Of course I only make quilts to keep warm and to snuggle under. LOL

No its not bad... before they had all of these special needles ... we used the ones we had and our quilts somehow lasted.
Do check the size , bigger is not better , especially when it comes to the piecing.

I use a "topstitch" needle - recommended by my quilt shop clerk. It is designed to hold two threads so I have a better chance of getting the thing threaded! I was using universal needles before that.

http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CDcQ8wIwAQ#

I used to get them at Wal-mart, but they haven't had them lately. Now get them at Joanns.

The link shows a size 16 needle. I get a size 12.

I have always used Universal needles. My eyes are not good enough to tell the difference in needles & don't want to bother with switching needles with regular sewing tasks.

I haven't made many, but I use Universal too :)

I buy what's on sale and change them around like crazy (except for jeans and ball point). Neither my machines nor me can tell the difference.

Well maybe I'm the dummy, I always use universal for piecing and quilting for quilting the sandwich, although have been told at the quilt shop that denim needles are good for the quilting too.

Universal isn't wrong if that's all you have, but I think there's better choices. I use a microtex (aka, sharp) instead of a universal needle. Universals have a slightly rounded tip and the microtex has a sharper, thinner point so it's perfect for piecing, appliqué, and quilting. Here's some info on how to choose and the differences between needles. http://quiltbug.com/articles/choosing-needle.htm

I use topstitch needles for piecing and machine quilting. I don't use quilting betweens when hand quilting. I use no. 10 sharps.