Titanium #12 top stitch needles. Since finding these I've used nothing else on my quilts.

I use what ever is available. Ha, Ha!

It would also be interesting to see which machines you are using as well. I have a Janome 7700, which I use Smetz 80/12 for piecing.

Why the titanium needles? What is great about them?

I meant Schmetz, sorry.

I use whatever is in my machine. Mostly I am good to go. If there is a problem I switch around til I find something that works. I don't think there is one answer - kind of like starch/no starch, prewash/don't prewash. Interesting though to hear about everyone's choices.

The ones with the eyes big enough to see them!! Especially for hand quilting. My new machine has a needle threader, which I thought would be a useless accessory sure to break quick. Boy, do I LOVE it. No more squinting, bending over, muttering, trying again. Would be nice if my machine liked Schmetz needles, but alas it doesn't.

I like Schmetz Microtex #70 for my piecing. The needle is super sharp, but also small enough, that it doesn't make a hole too big, displacing threads in the fabric weave. I tend to think most quarter inch seam issues are related to too large a needle or a thread that's too large.

Yoo hoo, waving my hand -Teachers, I have a question: what's the scoop on the titanium needles? How are they better than non-titanium?

I use organ 75/11 sharps for just about everything.