Which size needle?
 

Just got new needles for my machine - the lady at the store told me to use one for the piecing one for the quilting, but I forgot! Is it 75 for quilting/90 for piecing? That's what I seem to recall.

silly rule...she just sold you two packs of needles... either will do for both tasks... people can get to be experts in the weirdest way....

I guess I don't agree it is a silly rule. I always use a 75 for piecing. It leaves a smaller hole and works quite well with the thread I use for piecing. For quilting on my domestic machine I generally use a 90. It is more robust for handling the multiple layers and the thread I use for quilting.

BTW: I have used a needle as small as 70 for sewing batiste with a 50 weight thread, and I would have used a 65 if I'd had it. I also have used a 100 needle for heavy jeans and topstitching thread. Using the right needle for the right task is just a reasonable thing to do.

Pam

I didn't know that ,I use the same needle for all- and it is an 80

Needles are an individual preference. I have had classes where the instructor had us use size 70 needles for free motion quilting and the next instructor had us use size 90. If you have a tendency to break your needle as I did at the beginning, start with a 90 for FMQ and work your way down as you get experience. The smaller the needle, the smaller the hole. For piecing I use 70, 75 or 80 sharp. Whatever I have on hand.

Thanks for the info, I had no idea. I have just been using 90 for everything.

I always change my needle to a 90 for quilting. by changing the needle for quilting, I then remember to replace the piecing needles, which I do after every couple of quilts.

it really depends on what you are quilting through and what thread you are using! I use many different sizes because I use different battings, different fabrics, different threads...you have to find that combo that works for EACH of your projects..there is no SINGLE needle for everything!