What size and type of machine needles do you generally use the most?
 

Hi,
Looking to be educated about what needles you use the most for piecing and quilting. I have not been very picky in the past and a friend suggested I become more particular in a nice,noncritical and loving way. She said that Universal needles are good for nothing.
Looking forward to your ideas...thanks!
lots2do

I use 80's for piecing, and just about everything. I keep some 90's around too.

I've always used 90/14 for just about everything...but then again I never change the feet on my machine. I may not be the best one to answer this question. LOL

Visit Superior Threads website. They have free information charts teaching you a lot about different needles, threads, weights, sizes, uses. A great resource with a wealth of information. The size needle you use is dependent on the type/ weight of thread being used along with what you are using it for.

What thread are you using? Thread size in large part determines needle size. As to needle type, I'd have to check. I believe sharps, quilting, microtex have all worked for me for piecing. Superior threads recommends a top stitch needle:
https://www.superiorthreads.com/educ...-right-needle/

For a thorough education in needles and threads, check out their information here:
https://www.superiorthreads.com/education/

I used to use a size 80 needle for piecing. However, I have found that with my Aurifil 50wt 2-ply thread I can get away with using a size 70 or 75. The advantage of a smaller needle size is that the holes in the fabric are smaller. I also like the size 70 for machine applique using nylon monofilament thread (which is very fine). I think the needle I'm currently using for piecing is a microtex, but not sure.

I usually use 90/14 microtex top stitch needles, mainly because the eye is large enough for me to thread without having to use a lot of bad words to get it threaded. Most of the time I use Gutterman 50 weight thread, sometimes Superiors King Tut.

I use Organ needles most of the time and 90/14. Sometimes Schmetz, same size. I only piece and quilt with a very rare mending job on something heavier, lighter, or stretchier, in which case I change needle sizes. I found a huge amount of Organ needles (10 packs of 10) for a ridiculously good price on Amazon about six months ago. I change needles after every big project.

When I bought my Juki TL2010Q, I received 10 packages of Organ needles, various sizes. I had never used that brand before. They are great. When I have a problem with thread breaking or fraying, I might switch to Schmetz topstitch, usually size 16, and that seems to solve the problem.

I use 75/11 or 80/12 needles usually quilting or sharps for piecing and usually 90/14 topstitch for FMQ

The needle size depends on the wt and ply and type of thread. Superior Threads is best education online about thread and needles.

Years ago, I was doing a lot of embroidery and went to an All Brands to buy needles. I have a Brother machine but didn't buy it from them. They told me the best needle for embroidery was the Organ HAx130EB 80/12. I believe these are titanium needles. I bought a pack of 100 for $29.95. They are absolutely wonderful! I know a lot of people who change needles after every quilt. I don't. They last forever. I wait to hear them start Plunking and then I change. This is an Etsy listing for the Organ needles that I use. https://www.etsy.com/listing/1109666...-hax130eb-emb6 I was concerned that since I had a home machine that they wouldn't be the right needles but they are perfect for my home sewing/embroidery machine and are great. Except>>>>> I couldn't for the life of me make them sew Velcro. They skipped stitches like crazy. I'll have to research what needle to use if I ever have to sew Velcro again.

80/12 microtex are my go-to needles. I use 70's on silks and with very fine thread, if needed. I also keep some Embroidery and Metallica needles around and since I do garment sewing some 90's for jeans and heavy weight fabrics.

I buy Organ sharps, top stitch, and ballpoint and use them in all of my machines, sewing and embroidery. I buy them in bulk, size11 for most uses, also use size9, 12, 14 and 16 when needed.

Cari

I use Schmitz or Organ -- I prefer the titanium. Barb, I use a 14 jeans needle for sewing Velcro and have no problems.

they also have a you tube by "bob" with his 24 inch long demonstration needle...he is a real hoot....and you will learn a lot

I mainly use Microtex/Sharps needles for piecing & quilting. I have used Quilting needles for quilting & find those especially helpful with vintage & repro fabrics because of the looser weave. I like Metallica and/or Top Stitch needles when working with metallic threads because they have the larger eye to keep the thread from shredding. I use Universal needles for garment construction & home dec. Here's the reference guide I use when deciding on a thread:
http://www.schmetzneedles.com/needle-guide/

If you do a lot of different types of sewing (piecing, quilting, garment construction, jeans/home dec, vinyl, etc), your best bet if you only want to use a single type of needle is always a Top Stitch needle. You'd be hard pressed to find an industrial sewing floor that uses anything else because Top Stitch will sew any type of fabric at all, with the most consistency & it is generally the easiest to thread. I look at it kinda like the Ford Crown Victoria of needles. That was a perfectly acceptable, reasonably priced, reliable vehicle that was used for millions of police cars, as well as a lot of the insurance institute testing for safety. It could do most things that were needed at an economical price point. It wasn't Ford's top performing car & it wasn't particularly great for certain activities like racing or driving off-road. You could certainly do those things in a CV, but there were better options for them. Fortunately, sewing needles are much less expensive than buying an SUV or sports car just to use on occassion, so buying a needle that is specifically designed for a particular task is not as unreasonable as buying multiple cars.

Still, at the end of the day, even if all you have are 50 packs of Universal needles that you really need to use up, unless you are engaged in professional or competition quilting, even a Universal needle will typically give you an acceptable result in both sewing & quilting. Some stitches might not form as well. The needle will be slightly more prone to breaking, but the difference is a matter of degrees. So the moral of my story is: Sew with what you like & don't worry about the Quilt Police. :thumbup:

I use Schmetz 90/14 Quilting needles for piecing and quilting.

Bree, you have a beautiful way with words. I loved your comparison with the Crown Vic. Very understandable as well!

Thank you, everyone! I am mostly sewing these days with Aurifil on my Janome and my Featherweight really doesn't seem to mind Coats and Clark so I'm trying to use that up when I sew on that machine.
I think I will definitely use up what I have while checking on a scrap to make sure I like the stitch quality. Will check out Bob at Superior Threads as well.
I really can't be bothered at this time in my hobby to be too persnickety and I am not planning on entering any big shows with the projects I'm working on. But...I was taught to try to do things right from the very start and have a hard time shutting that inner voice down sometimes. Anyway, thanks again!

I use Microtex 80 90% of the time with Aurifil 50wt. threads....for non quilt projects I use Connecting threads. Love the colors.

90/14 Organ titanium topstitch. Try to match needle to thread, the 90/14 topstitch is my go to.

I only use 90/14. I only sew mending and quilts! Don't need anything more or less. Wouldn't know which ones to use anyhow. Edie

I use 90/14 quilting needles for everything.

Bree, I loved the 1956 red & White Crown Victoria. Nothing more beautiful when cleaned and waxed. I was here when they came out.

As for needles, I use mostly Organ needles, 14 for most everything. I have a few 16.

For piecing, I prefer an 80/12.

For jeans, I buy the jeans needles. i

I've been sewing for 50 yrs now. i use whatever i have on hand. I know you all want to whip me now, but it's the awful truth. another awful truth , i change them when they break.

I'm with you Lynnie - I could not tell you what is in my machine right now, and I don't change them unless they break or they keep breaking the thread for some reason. But I did order some TopStitch needles people were talking about to give them a try.

If you have a hard time threading a needle, wet your thumb and finger (spit on it) and draw it across the eye, this fill the eye with moisture, cut your thread at an angle and when you put the thread to eye it will suck it in like a vacuum.

The only needles I see in the stores are Schmetz but I would like to try Organ brand. Where do you find them? Do you order them online?