What are the best sewing machine needles? What size is the best for piecing quilts? How often do you change them?

For piecing, I like Sharps 80-12 and change needle after each major project. Fav brand is Klasse`.

Schmetz, no question. I piece with 70/10 sharps and quilt with 75/11, 80/12 or 90/14, depending on the thread. I change them often, at least every project and sometimes halfway through if I'm using poly batting or batiks which wear the needle more quickly. An old needle can strain the motor on your machine and a new needle is a darn sight cheaper than a new machine. :-D

"Superior threads" they have excellent info and videos on threads and needles. it is under the "education" tab.

http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

great video on needles!
http://www.superiorthreads.com/video...titch-needles/

For my first quilt I used Superior's 'titanium coated topstitch 80/12' needles for quilting my sandwich. Pricy yes, but along with using quality thread had not one itty-bitty problem with the process. I like that. Definitely like/love these needles, although I will be looking into the Klasse`.
For piecing the batiks, I used either a Singer or Dritz ball point 75/11; have a lot on hand (from years of garment construction) and get no snagging of fabric threads with the ball points.
Goes without saying, new project/new needle.

you should change your needle between each project or after 8 hours of sewing time -- sometimes more often- some fabrics dull a needle faster than others- if you are sewing along- and find your stitch quality is no longer good (skipping stitches-uneven stitches-and even thread breakage) the reason is usually a dull needle

same here!

I learn so much here!!!

Like Watterstide I use Superior Threads titanium needles 80/12, unless I'm working on lawn cotton or silk - then I use their 70/10.
Based on Bob Purcell's advice I now use the 70/10 when I'm using his Bottom Line thread in the needle.

I've already said this on a different thread - October 2009 is the last time I put a new 80/12 in, and my Bernina is sewing like it did when the needle first went in.

http://www.superiorthreads.com

I use 10's, 11's or 12's for piecing, depending upon the size of the thread.

I use Organ Brand mostly - I can buy them on eBay for as little as $12 per 100 and they're really nice needles.

I recently bought Orange Brand to try them out - again, about $12 per 100 and they supposedly use German engineering and quality control in the manufacture, so I think they're going to be fine.

I've never had any problem at all with the Organ brand, but I do change the needle quite frequently no matter which brand I'm using or what machine I'm sewing with. When embroidering or FMQ, I only put about four hours on each needle and I change it before any problems start showing up. For regular sewing and piecing, I usually change the needle after six or eight hours.

I also like Klasse' and Schmetz brands - they cost a lot more, but they make a lot of specialty styles.

I use the titanium by Supeerior. I bought a bunch when they went on sale at the "quilters daily deal"

Organ. I like 12 for piecing, 16 or 18 for quilting.

Wouldn't it be sew very nice if one of you decided to trim your stash of needles and offered some for sale in batches of 25 or 50? If you don't need a license to offer some of your fabric I can't see why you'd need a license to offer some of your needles. And many of us would say, "Oh I'd like to try that one" and just snap them right up.LOL

Great information. Just bookmarked this thread so I can find it when I get home from work today.

me too! :thumbup:

see if you can test drive some needles by borrowing from friends...not ALL machines like ALL needles. I like Klasse, but I have a Kenmore that hates them.

So, I generally stay with schmetz....all of my machines like them! I buy the microtex 70's & 80's in bulk!

I use Organ titanium needles needles sold by Superior. They are excellent quality and outlast any other needle. They pay for themselves in just one package use. I sew everyday and haven't had to change my needle in months. They keep sharp that long. The topstitch needles work great with all brands of thread. Superior has low shipping prices.

I only buy topstitch needles.

Cheri-I LOVEYour Avatar. That is so cute.

Thanks to everyone for your input. I've learned so much on this forum from so many talentd quilters!!!! Yall are awesome!!!!!!!!

With PP I find that it's the case of "more often"

I agree. The Organ titanium outlast anything else I have tried. I buy mine through my Janome dealer. I can tell when my needle dulls by the sound it makes going through the cloth. When I start hearing a popping sound, it's time to change the needle.

My favorite too.

I change needles every time I start a new project.

Top stitch and metalfil needles are the same needle design. I recommend you use those sort as they have a better eye to accommodate all sorts of thread and a flange at the back of the needle for the thread to lie in and that means less resistance when sewing. I use a size 90/14 or sometimes a 100/16 as I do tons of heavy quilting. Use a lighter needle if you are quilting on delicate fabric.
As for how often to change the needle - I put a new one in every time I start a new quilt and you should definitely change it if you hear a popping sound as you quilt - even if the project is not finished, as it is an indication of a blunt needle and you will get skipped stitches and trouble with bending and breaking.
As for the brand of needle- I generally use Schmetz,Bernina, John James and Organ. However, there are other brands that you might find suitable for yourself. Good luck with your selection.

me too. I love titanium needles. They are wonderful

Try JHittle.com. They have great prices on needles and other stuff.

I love Organ and Schmetz needles. I buy them by the box of 100 on Ebay. I use 75, 80 and 90 and Microtex, depending on the project and thread.

Me too!

I agree, I think these are the best, hands down! :thumbup:

absolutly agree !!!!!!

so true titanium rocks !!!!!! I do change them every 24 hours of sewing time.

I just watched the video on needles. Superior needles (Topstitch and Metallic) are identical. Is this the same in Schmetz needles?Are the numbers the same? I get so confused. Help!!!

The terms "Topstitch" or "Metallic" should all mean the same thing from company to company - the eye is a little larger than the same needle in a regular sharp. (Other needles suitable for the same functions are called "Large Eye," and "Embroidery")

As for the numbers, the "standard" domestic machine needle system is the 15x1, but it's also known as the 130, 705, 2020 and HAx1 - probably a lot more names for it out there.

The size numbers within a needle system should be consistent from one manufacturer to another - the diameter of a size 12 needle shank, its length, depth of scarf and distance from point to eye should all be the same for the 15x1 system needle no matter who makes it or what they call it.

Hope that's at least a little clearer than mud. ;)

i just ordered 2 packs of the superior threads titanium 80/12 top stitch,on ebay. $6.99 each plus $2.00 total for shipping. just try/get these, you will love them.

Organ Brand and Singer for my FW

Thanks polyparrot. That sort of explains things. I'll have to try the different ones out even though I did pick up a bunch of Schmetz when they were on sale. Comparison is probably the only way to really know.

I agree with many of the others, #11 or 12 for piecing and quilting, buy whatever brand your machine recommends, or good quality. I change after about 8 hours of sewing, or if the machine gets noisy.(You can hear a dull needle, it sounds like a loud thunk with each stitch) Beyond that Jo Anns publishes an excellent pamphlet on needles, and uses, it is hard to find at my local store, but has a wealth of information.:)

Klasse or Schmetz.

I got great Organ brand needles at a great price from the yahoo group called needlecoop. You do have to buy in bulk, which is why they can get great prices. If you can't use all the needles yourself, go together with friends to split the order and the cost.

I understand that lots of brand new sewing machines come with Organ brand needles already in the machine, including Janome.

needlecoop has all kind to choose from including Titanium. Check around for prices and then check them at needlecoop I think you'll be surprised.