What is your favorite needle...
 

...for piecing and machine quilting? Jeans? Microtex? Quilting? Topstitch? Universal? Whatever is on sale? Other?

Do you use the same kind most of the time and only change the size depending on the thread?

There are too many choices!

There really are a whole lot of needle choices!! I use a 75/11 Schmetz quilting needle for piecing and a 90/14 Schmetz topstitch needle for quilting. I use a fairly fine thread for piecing and heavier threads for quilting. I have some specialty needles and a few smaller topstitch needles for quilting but those are my most used needles.

I use Organ Titanium topstitch needles. They stay sharp a long time. I use thin thread for piecing with a size 80/60 needle. 50# 3 ply like Connecting Thread Essentials for machine quilting, I use 90/14.

I use universal for a lot of things including piecing. Schmetz. I use 50 weight threads and a 12-14 needle.

if you visit Superior Threads website they have free charts you can download that tell you the differences in threads and the needles that you should use with them
i often use 'sharps' but it does depend on the thread i am using -- i use the needle that is 'right' for my project and the materials being used.

I use scmetz or organ needles, what manufacturer says to use. I quilt with connecting threads thread, coats & clark machine quilting thread. Use a size 90/14.

For piecing I generally use a 75/9 or 11 , Quilting its a 90/14 . The exception is when I use invisable thread for quilting I stay with the 75/9 or 11 . When I quilt on batiks I always do a test and use the smallest needle I can use. They are very tightly woven fabrics and a large needle will leave holes, particularly on batiks backings. If you have to take out any quilting stitches on a batik .. the holes will show and never completely dissappear.

I only use topstitch needles now on my regular machines. The hole and scarf is easier on the thread. I just change the size depending on the material.... On Mr. Stretch I have to use Schmetz universals because that is how it is timed and I have yet to attempt to re-time him....

A teacher suggested that I try Schmetz Microtex needles because I was having trouble with thick seams. I'm using 75/11 pretty exclusively now. I use a lot of batiks and find that the needle holes are smaller if I have to unsew and the sharp needle penetrates nicely through the tighter weave of batiks. At least the weave seems tighter to me.

What do the numbers stand for? (75/11 for example)

One of the numbers is from the European sizing system and one is from the American sizing system.

I guess I could ask a more specific question... I bought a spool of YLI Silk Thread for an upcoming machine quilting class. I have no idea which needle to use. The class list doesn't say which needles to use with the silk thread. Which needle would you pick?

watch out--i read here on the board that a well known brand was now being made in china and they are rubbish

The recent discussion that I seem to ecall was that the "well known" brand was now being made in India.
Further that a letter from the said company confirmed it as true.
They also continued on that the quality had not changed and the standards were just has high.

I seem to recall that the poster of the info stated that she was quite happy and would continue to buy this "well known" brand.

I read that the first set of numbers are European size (75/11) the second is American.

I just attended a machine quilting class. Our list of supplies included a size 12 'Topstich' needle. The instructor explained that the topstich needle has a larger hole/eye, and the grove is longer. This is less stressfull on the thread. She also explained that the smaller hole/eye causes the thread to fray/break. I know this because I have used size 75/11 universal needles and the hole/eye is 1/3 the size of the 'Topstich' needles and the thread frayed and broke often. During class with the size 12/Topstitch, it never broke. Enjoy your class.

I have used the Denim needles for years --for all types of sewing. Their scarf and hole are supposed to be the same size as the topstitch but they are a bit sharper. I use ballpoint for knits since they do not break the fiber. When I have a few extra $$$ I buy the titanium needles and have had good luck with them.