What Size Needle?
 

I'm experimenting with the Lumiere Metallic fabric paint my Mom gave me for Christmas and am ready to quilt this piece.
The problem is, I don't know what size needle would be best.
Should I use a thinner needle, 60/8, so it's sharp to go through the paint and make a small hole or will it need a bigger needle, 80/12 in order to get through the paint?
Anyone have any experience or suggestions?
I can make a sample but I hate to waste the paint if someone here already knows.

Thanks!

Watson
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It's not just the size you need to consider, but the type of needle.

I haven't worked with paint, but I am thinking you still need to stay up in the range of a 12 or 14 needle to have the "strength" to go through fabric plus paint.

The sharpness of your needle comes from the type of the needle.
My first thought would be an Embroidery or perhaps a Microtex needle.

Even with all the advice and suggestions you will get from everyone here, I would still recommend you have a sample piece to practice on.

Even if someone else has used the same paints, all will not be the same.

You will have used different fabrics, different thickness of the applied paint, different battings, different threads, different machine, etc. ..... so definitely do some practice work before you go for the real thing.

What type of thread are you planing on using? That should factor into your decision as well.

I will be using a King Tut variegated on the mane and a Decobob to outline the designs.

Watson

Hey Watson, If the paint isn't thick, then you should be fine with whatever size needle suits the thread you're using. I'd go with either a topstitch, microtex or quilting needle as they tend to be very sharp. Try a sample to make sure that your needle/thread combo doesn't leave obvious holes in the paint--that's the only problem I think you may have.

Rob

Do you have some test fabric with the paint to test? I’d start with a #70 microtex but you may need #80 since King Tut is a 3 ply 40wt. I think your thread will be a bigger factor than the paint since a needle that’s too small will shred your thread.

I picked the ugliest colour from what I have and have made a test swatch to practice on. I'll start with the Microtex and see how that goes.

Thanks everyone.