Why do my needles bend
 

My first attempt at hand quilting. My needles bend within the first few stitches. I have been using betweens and tried different sizes of Dritz and John James brands. What am I doing wrong? I so want to enjoy this and so far have only been frustrated.

It could be your quilt sandwich is too tight in your hoop - try loosening it up. Going through seam allowances can be tough on needles, too.

What are you using for batting?

Janet

Quilters Dream wool. My sandwich seems pretty loose.

Have you tried Tulip brand needles...they don't bend as easily as the others.

I buy the John James Big Eye Quilting needles & have had good luck with them. They don't bend nearly as easily as the betweens, but I agree that there may be something else going on besides the needle. As long as your quilt is 100% cotton & you're using hand quilting thread or waxing your thread as you go, I don't really know enough to offer any suggestions.

Good luck, though, quilting is a lot of fun & hand quilting yields truly beautiful results.

I too bend needles. Several years ago my mother was given a treadle sewing machine in a cabinet. One of the drawers contained a couple of packages of betweens. They were likely very old--brand no longer made, but they didn't bend easily. I have long since used them up. I think many needles are now softer metal. I have found that Jeana Kimball and Roxanne needles don't bend so easily. Currently, I have been using John James big eye betweens because they are easier to thread and work well if I am not quilting over a lot of seams. As has been previously mentioned, seams tend to bend needles. Also, I never hand quilt batik fabric or sheets. The high thread count makes it hard to get the needle through.

I continue to use my needles when they have a slight curve in them.

I have been told by a sewing machine shop that the metal took a sharp hike in price and companies have added some things to the metal to be able to make it less costly for them. Which makes it softer, I ask him when I was trying to sew through some flannel. I said flannel is soft and easy for a needle. He said yes, but look at fabric it not as thick or good, needle and pins or not as hard, you need more companies are happy, just we are not. Sad fact.

I too used to bend needles all the time. I finally discovered Roxanne betweens. They come in a tiny little jar with a teeny little seashell on the cap. They are sturdiest, sharpest needles I have ever used. I like a size 11 between but that is pretty tiny to start with. 10 is a very popular size.

I bend needles too, don't hand quilt, but do a lot of hexies, and I think it's because I hold them soooo tight sometimes, maybe anxiety! LOL!

I bend mine too....anxiety maybe? Using a new needle...it does it again. I don't mind, my hand gets used to it

I bend needles to when doing my hand-sewing on my hexes.

I use Roxanne needles, too. I had problems with needles bending and I even broke a few. Rosanne's do seem stronger and there are a lot in that little bottle.

I've also learned to relax my grip a little when hand quilting. It was hard on the needles but also my hands. And, I let the sandwich be pretty loose, not taut. When I first started hand quilting I thought I should have it tighter but not so. Softer, thinner batting helps, too. I use an old floor frame for my hand quilting and thread up a bunch of needles before I start.

whether i am hand sewing or quilting, regardless of size or length of needle, my needles always bend. for some thîngs i use old needles fr estate sales. they bend. i started w john james gold years ago, didn't care for them. for quilting i use size 11 between. my hands have been arthritic since i was a teen, quilting for 29 yrs, i use stab stitch over seams. years ago i had a friend refer to her needles as home made fish hooks. bent needles, i decided, aren't indicative of improper technique, just part of the fun! :D

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice. I do have a little bottle of the Roxannes' around here somewhere. And will get some big eye John James and other needles that were mentioned to try. It is my hexie quilt (my avatar) that I am handquilting. Did not have as much of a problem when I was stitching the hexie's together. Every so often I would change out my needle due to bending. My quilt top is LQS 100% cotton fabric, flannel backing, Quilters Dream Wool batting and embroidery floss, single strand, for the quilting. The needle goes through the sandwich with extreme ease. I am doing big stitches. I will try and loosen my sandwich up some more if possible. Thanks again. Love you guys!!

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 was not a fan of the John James needles. Have tried several other brands and am happiest with Roxanne's betweens. Occasionally they bend but not often. I use them bent until it starts effecting my stitching.

I am anxious to try the tulip needles. Where do you buy them? I found them in size 10 on Amazon sold in a package of six. I am not used to the small quantity and the price, but if they last a lot longer, it may even out.

I would also like to know where to purchase tulip brand quilting needles.

Same Problem.........
 

Latrinka I have the same thing happen to me, just hanging on for dear life.. (by the way love your slogan)

I bought the John James and while they are easier to thread, I can still break them. Local handquilters have convinced me to try the Roxannes on the next project. Many of the Dear Jane retreat gals also recommended the Roxannes. I have not heard of Tulip. I looked them up on google and found sashiko and embroidery needles, a couple called Hiroshima needles. Pink castle fabrics had a pack but they are sold out that included several types of quilting needles.

I found them---they are the Hiroshima ones. United notions (Moda) carries the line. A promo is available on youtube that explains the process. Interesting! I'll have to check them out. Thanks for posting.

First, your quilt might be to tight in your hoop. The second is try a different quilting needle brand. I have tried John James betweens and found that they bend way to easily for me. I use Roxanne betweens and never had any bending problems.

I bend needles when I'm stressed. My grip is way too much at times.

I also like the Tulip needles. I haven't used them for quilting but, really like them for applique. Karen K. Buckley sells them on her website.

I am the renegade!! As a beginner, you may it very hard to use and do what many have done for years. Do not start on a precious heirloom. I started hand quilting while waiting to take a class. I used whatever I had available, including any needle in the pincushion. I also found I do not like using a hoop. I quilt in my lap. There are several videos out on the how-to's of hoopless. Try to keep the thread reasonable, even though it is tempting to use a longer one so you don't have to thread so often. Don't, instead load several needles. Ad last but not least, just do a little at a time, your hands will thank you. And no matter how awful it is take pictures, close pictures with a ruler to show those stitches, so you can compare next year and see how you have improved!! One more, your flannel backing may be making it harder than a cotton backing. Good Luck, I know once you get comfortable, you will LOVE it!!!!

I, too, bent needles when I was learning to hand quilt, but as I learned, I learned to relax, use a well-fitting thimble (Tommie Lane) the proper thread, and waxing my thread, the bent needle problem resolved.

Yep me too!! LOL

My needles want to bend also, but I have found that if I use a bent needle, it fits my hold just perfect.

From one needle bender to another- I bend mine because I grip them very tight. Have never used a hand sewing needle that was not bent by the time I was done. Drove my grandmother nuts. She made me buy my own.

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 !

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.