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I really love piece makers needles but I wonder...how are you quilting? Are you pushing the needle straight down and pivoting on your finger? Or are you trying to load a needle by fishing it up and down through the fabric? Hand quilting is a little tricky. I took a workshop to learn, and it was only then that the books made sense. I suspect the problem is more technique than tool....

Aileen

Oh you're using embroidery thread!

Sashiko style quilting is a lot different. I love the Hiroshima needles for that too, and don't use a hoop. If you are trying to ha d quilt I the traditional way with those threads it's going to be so hard on your hands and your needles !

Quote:

Originally Posted by francie yuhas (Post 7255592)

As said already...you should try the tulip brand...they are made of harder steel,in Japan..and really don't bend. I bend the other brands easily. Sewing through seam allowances will bend needles. If you lap quilt and fold the sandwich onto the needle,that helps also.

I sent for some Hiroshima Tulip betweens in size 10 and used them yesterday on a quilt I am hand quilting. They are wonderful. I wish I had known about them before. They are very sharp, so slick they glide through the fabric, and so hard I haven't bent it yet, even on seams. They seemed pricey, but so worth it.